A baby has very soft, gentle skin which is sensitive to a lot of outside pollutants and external bacteria. The external bacteria can be in the air, the food or even the products we use on the baby like wet wipes or soap and moisturisers. It is therefore vital to understand the key elements that go into grooming a baby, particularly when it comes to hygienic products like soaps, anti-bacterial wipes, and shampoos.
Before beginning a bath for a baby, understanding it’s importance is essential. A baby has an extremely weak immune system. This means the baby’s skin is very sensitive and doesn’t have the antibodies to combat most germs that slowly accumulate on your baby. A bath helps by not just removing the unhealthy bacteria on top of the skin but helps exfoliate the skin pores so the baby can sweat out the impurities within. This is also an opportunity for parents to check if the baby has any scars, scabs, rashes or blisters on their skin.
Remember that a baby has very soft skin; adult skin products may harm the baby. We recommend bathing your baby only with baby products that are developed specially to keep the skin soft and nourished.
Most parents make it a habit to bathe a baby everyday from the day she is out of the hospital. This is completely unnecessary. A newborn baby is exposed to very few toxins as she are kept in protective environments. She is yet to consume solid food or have her body exposed to dirty surfaces on a regular basis. Hence it is recommended that a newborn baby is given a bath only three times a week.
Once the baby begins eating solid foods and crawling, you can gradually add more baths in the week over a period of a month. A baby that is crawling and eating solid foods should be given a bath on a daily basis to combat germs that she encounters. Ensure that you build up the bathing sessions on a daily basis, as this allows the baby’s skin to adapt to the frequency of the baths.
The location of your baby’s bath is very important. Remember that your baby’s immunity system is very delicate. If you live in cold areas, bathe your baby in a tub in your bedroom or any other room that is warm. If you’re in a hot region, remember to check the water temperature in the room. The location also depends heavily on the type of bath.
If you are bathing the baby in your bedroom, ensure that you heat the room beforehand. Place a mat that is slip resistant underneath the tub before you give her a bath. Baths also play a role in maintaining body temperature; try giving your baby a slightly warmer bath if you live in colder regions and try cooling the water if the weather is hot.
Never give a baby a bath in either form of extreme temperatures. Keep in mind that what is warm for you maybe sizzling hot for your baby, and what seems cool to you can be freezing cold for her because of her sensitive skin. Adjust the temperature according to the weather and the baby’s requirements.
The time at which you decide to give babies a bath is as important as the bath itself. Some general rules to the schedule are:
Other than this, here are a few things to consider when scheduling a bath time for a baby :
Keeping this in mind, schedule your baby’s bath based on her and your requirements.
The most important aspect to consider while picking out soap is the pH balance. Slightly acidic or neutral pH balance based liquid soaps are considered the best as they protect your baby’s delicate skin by not damaging the protective barrier that contains the skins moisture. Alkaline soaps that adults use are considered too hard for the baby’s skin and may dry out the skin and cause rashes.
It is also recommended that you use liquid bath soaps as they possess baby friendly moisturisers that help maintain the health of your baby’s skin. It will help to consult a paediatric dermatologist to understand what your baby’s washing needs are.
These are several ways you can bathe your baby. These include the following:
This would be the perfect tool to ensure that you have a good grip on your baby at all times. You can use a netted bather or a bath seat. These keep the baby raised a little, so that she is sitting in her own bath water. This works by letting the water flow over the baby at an angle, then it gently flows into the tub underneath and drains away.
This is probably the most comfortable for your baby. It reassures her that she is safe because this bath involves you sitting on the bathroom floor, laying her back against you, stretching her legs and gently letting water sprinkle over her. This has a downside however, as you will get wet and soapy too.
A tub bath is probably the most fun way to bathe your baby. This can also be an amazing bonding experience for the parents and baby.
It is vital to take these measures for the safety of your child
In the first few weeks, it may be easier to give your baby a sponge bath. This involves using a warm and moist sponge or cotton wool to wipe your baby. Here are some things that you need to keep in mind during this process.
Here’s what you need to draw your baby’s bath.
Wash your baby’s face right before her bath. Dampen a sponge or cotton wool in warm water and gently wipe the face. Ensure that the water is not too hot for the baby’s skin. Gently wipe over her eyes. Also, wipe behind the baby’s ears and the exterior part of the ears. Do not use your fingers or a cotton swab to clear earwax as this may cause blockage or damage the eardrum. Before washing away any dried mucus near the eyes or nostrils, dab it with a wet cotton wool to make it softer.
You do not need any soap or cleanser to clean the baby’s face.
Here is how to bath baby correctly:
Conclusion: It is vital to understand the needs of your baby before giving her a bath, we recommend specially-designed baby hygiene products when bathing a baby. It is crucial to keep an eye out for lesions, blister or rashes when grooming your child, if you notice any, consult a specialist as soon as you can. Try organic baby soaps and shampoos while bathing and organic moisturisers and wipes for general use.