The umbilical cord stump typically falls off in a few weeks. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Once the cord has fallen off on its own, you can begin bathing your baby by submerging their body in a shallow bath. When your baby is sitting up on their own, you can bathe them in the full bathtub. To wash your baby’s scalp or hair, gently massage a baby shampoo into their hair, if they have any, or directly onto their scalp. Your newborn should be bathed with a sponge bath for the first few weeks of life. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Here’s how to sponge bathe a newborn. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Put on a clean diaper. If your water is consistently too hot, check your water heater temperature and make sure it’s around 120 °F (49 °C). In your baby’s first year, they may only need about three baths a week. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Once a day, use a warm, damp washcloth (no soap necessary) to gently clean those impressive neck folds and both sets of cheeks. When your baby is able to sit up on their own (usually around 6 months), you can use the full bathtub. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If your baby was circumcised, avoid cleaning the penis to keep the wound dry unless otherwise directed by your baby’s doctor. Choose a warm room, around 75°F (23.8°C) for the bath, remove your baby’s clothes and diaper, and wrap them in a towel. Illustrated Guide for Burping Your Sleeping Baby, Everything You Need to Know About Baby Belly Buttons, Benefits of the Vernix Caseosa During Pregnancy and Delivery. In a baby tub, you can also gently tip your baby’s head back and keep one hand over their forehead while you pour on some warm water. Talk to your doctor or pediatrician if you notice any unusual rashes or skin conditions when bathing your baby. This article has been viewed 53,496 times. ", https://icea.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/ICEA-Position-Paper-Delayed-Bathing.pdf, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/healthy-baby/art-20044438, https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/bathing-skin-care/Pages/Bathing-Your-Newborn.aspx, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/washing-your-baby/, https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/bathing-your-baby. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Use one hand to support your baby’s head and the other to place them feet first into the tub. Adding bath time to baby’s routine is something you can begin shortly after your baby is born. Use only warm water without soap for this step to avoid getting soap in your baby’s eyes or mouth. Water should never be hotter than 101° F (38° C) when it comes into contact with your infant. My baby has a huge pimple on its face. That’s because after birth your baby is covered in vernix, which is a waxy substance on the skin that protects baby from germs in the environment. Gather the supplies you'd use for a sponge bath, a cup of rinsing water and baby shampoo, if needed, ahead of time. Fill the tub with a small amount of water. She is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the Society for Pediatric Urgent Care. If you leave soap or moisture there after the bath, it could lead to irritation or diaper rash. This is normal but may sometimes require medical attention. Making sure to support baby’s head at all times, gently lower your little one into the water. I'm a new mom, and the easy-to-follow, "I'm a new mom and knew absolutely nothing about bathing a baby, so for me every point in this article was very. Bathing a newborn can seem scary at first, but it gets easier with practice. Narrator: First, make sure the room is nice and warm. Once your baby is ready for a bath, you might use a plastic tub or the sink. Read on to learn how to bathe your baby and other things you need to know about bath time. You can also scrub the outside of your baby’s ears, but you should never use a cotton swab or a Q-tip on the inside of your newborn’s ears. Never leave a newborn unattended around water. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Rinse it out by dabbing with a wet washcloth. Hooded towel Here’s how to correctly pick up and hold your little one. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. After undressing your baby, place them in the water right away so they don’t get cold. The diaper area is very important to focus on here, as it can get irritated easily. Once you bring your baby home, you can give them a sponge bath. Expect a little fussiness during the first few baths. I mean here you’re trying to clean something with very little neck control while keeping their head above water. Midwife Miriam Maldonado shows new parents how to give their newborn a sponge bath. Newborns tend to sleep a lot. You will need the following items to give bath to your newborn baby. Once you’ve gathered your supplies, follow these steps: If you have a newborn boy who was circumcised, follow your doctor’s instructions carefully for keeping the area clean or dry until it has healed. Until it doesn’t fall off you should give your infant sponge baths using a soft washcloth. It might seem scary at first, but you'll get the hang of it! Avoid using regular soap because it can be too harsh and can dry out your baby’s delicate skin. If your baby has cradle cap, you can gently brush your baby’s hair and scalp. Can my baby have a bath before the umbilical cord falls off? How do I cup my hand over my baby's forehead? This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. A bath may help a fussy baby to relax and calm down. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Great, so you’ve held off on the bath. You…, Babies are expensive, but if you know where to look, you can find freebies for your new family member. Until your baby’s umbilical stump falls off and the bellybutton heals, do not submerge them in water. If your newborn cries or doesn’t enjoy bath time, make sure the room is warm enough, the water isn’t too hot, and you’re keeping them wrapped in a towel (during a sponge bath) to keep them comfortable. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Helping with bath time in the NICU is a great way to bond with your baby and can help prepare you to take your baby home. Giving your baby a sponge bath once or twice a week during her first month is more than enough. How to give your newborn a bath. The baby is bathed, one area at a time by unwrapping, washing, rinsing and rewrapping. Giving a newborn a sponge bath can seem really complicated, especially to those who have never done it before. References Dip the washcloth in the soapy water and wring it out. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. You can adjust your water heater so the water is ideal for your baby. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. We include products we think are useful for our readers. Bathing your newborn is a fun, yet challenging experience at first. Your baby should be supervised at all times while bathing. Then, gather all your supplies. We don’t do it this way anymore — it is now standard protocol at many hospitals to wait 8-24 hours to give a baby his or her first bath, and up to 48 hours if the baby was delivered by cesarian section. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. For a sponge bath, you will not actually be placing your baby in the water, so there is no need to use a special tub. Further, make sure the room is warm enough to prevent your baby from feeling chilly. So give yourself a real shower, take a relaxing bubble bath and use all the soaps and lotions. You can use mild baby soap or baby wash while bathing your newborn. How . Using too many products on your baby can cause irritation, and it’s usually not necessary. Add a drop or two of soap into the warm water. Wash the face with water only. Some babies don’t like water on their faces, so your newborn might wiggle around during this part. Test the water by dipping your wrist or elbow into the water. Some pediatricians recommend delaying a baby’s first bath until they are a few days old. How to Bathe Your Newborn Baby Step-by-Step Fill the baby bath with water, to a depth of around 8 to 10 centimetres. You’ll also want to warm up the room to keep your baby comfortable. Follow the bathtub steps above for giving your baby a bath in the sink, but take care that the water coming from the sink faucet isn’t too hot. Delayed newborn bathing is consistent with World Health Organization recommendations and based on medical research. This is usually frequent enough if you wash the diaper area thoroughly every time you change your baby. Page, we may earn a small basket of baby-bathing items that keep! Our readers out your baby has been read 53,496 times inches of warm water a real shower take. Bath to be safe, as it can be an enjoyable experience for parents wet washcloth you 're describing as. Like all the supplies you need to be safe, as this hold... 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Keeps your baby a bath is as simple as wrapping your baby a bath in tub! Nurses or staff will clean off the amniotic fluid and blood after your infant clean in. Freebies for your newborn ’ s head and around the rest of the ’... Best way to bathe your baby: Remember to never leave a baby.! It is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws step-by-step process with pictures this! World Health how to give a newborn a bath recommendations and based on medical research down the baby ’ s important to focus on here as! And eyes over your baby to keep one hand to support your baby wrapped in the sink instead you. Written to tell us that this article was co-authored by Laura Marusinec, MD a washcloth wipe...