The right and safe way to bathe a newborn

new When a new baby is born, bathing becomes a moment to look forward to and also makes new parents nervous. Not a few parents worry about bathing their babies for fear of falling. Here are some explanations about how to bathe a newborn that is right as a way of caring for baby skin.

How often should you bathe a newborn?

Quoting from the Mayo Clinic, newborns don't need to bathe too often. The most important thing is that when changing a baby's diaper, you also clean his body.

Why shouldn't it be too frequent to bathe a newborn? The reason is, bathing babies too often can make the baby's skin dry and uncomfortable.

Bathing the baby 3 times a week during the first year is sufficient. However, even if the baby is bathed only 3 times a week, you should still wash your face, neck, hands, genitals and buttocks every day.

However, you can adjust it yourself to the condition of your baby. Since Indonesia is a tropical country where the temperature is quite high and humid, you may want to bathe your baby every day.

Therefore, there are also parents who bathe their newborn babies twice a day. But of course, you can consult a doctor for more information.

When is the best time to bathe a newborn?

It is not possible to bathe a newborn baby carelessly, including a matter of time. Avoid bathing the baby after drinking breast milk. Bathing after the stomach is filled can make your baby feel uncomfortable.

In addition, if he feels pressure on his stomach, your baby may vomit. It's best to choose time that is free for yourself. That way, you can focus on your baby and won't be rushed.

You can bathe your baby in the morning when your baby is in a good mood and he is not so sleepy. Bathing the baby in the afternoon is also not a problem.

Most importantly, make sure the water temperature is right so the baby doesn't get cold.

Equipment needed when bathing the baby

There are several supplies that need to be prepared when bathing a newborn, quoting from Stanford Childrens:

• Soft washcloth
• Small bucket or bathtub
• Special baby soap and shampoo
• Towel (preferably with a head covering or hoodie)
• Dry diapers
• Change of clothes

Make sure the equipment is kept nearby, so that it is easy to reach when you need it.

How to bathe a newborn whose umbilical cord has not been separated

Most babies under two or three weeks of age have their umbilical cord not removed. Be careful because usually the baby's umbilical cord is still a little wet and should not come into contact with water.

For that, you can bathe him by wiping his body with a washcloth or soft cloth. Pay attention to how to bathe a newborn whose umbilical cord has not been separated, the following include:

Use a flat surface

Line a table or flat surface such as the floor with a soft, waterproof mat or a soft towel. You can also do it at the table to change the baby's diaper.

Lay the baby on his back, then hold the back of his head and neck with one hand

Wipe gently

After lying down, gently rub the baby's body. Starting from the head first, then the face, ears, chest, back, to the feet.

Wipe gently with a washcloth dampened with warm water. This is one step of how to bathe a newborn.

After the body is wet, wipe it again with a washcloth with a very mild soap and safe for newborns

Clean both eyelids

To clean both eyelids, prepare two pieces of soft cotton that is not much lint.

Start with the eye near the nose and wipe outward. Repeat on the other eyelid with the new cotton. Be careful when rubbing the face, avoid getting water into the mouth which can make the baby choke.

Clean every between the body

Make sure you also wipe the curves of his body such as the armpits, neck, behind the ears, and the back of the knees. This includes the proper way to bathe a newborn.

Clean the genitals

Finish by cleaning the baby's genitals and bottom, starting from front to back. Pick up the baby with both your hands and wrap it in a dry towel. Make sure all parts are clean until no baby feces are left.

Swing before getting dressed

Before wearing diapers or clothes, hug and rock your baby. This can provide stimulation for her sense of touch as well as build a strong bond between you and your baby.

But don't be too long because your little one can get cold.

How to bathe a newborn whose umbilical cord has fallen off

After your baby's umbilical cord has fallen off and the scar has dried, you can start bathing the baby in the baby bath.

The steps are also quite simple, here's how to bathe a newborn whose umbilical cord has just fallen off.

Prepare warm water

Prepare a baby bath with warm water (approx. 37 degrees Celsius) as high as 5 centimeters. Then move the baby into the bath in a slightly upright position.

Hold the back of the baby's head and neck with your non-dominant hand. That is, use your left hand for right-handed and your right hand for left-handed ones.

Gently rub the body

After holding the back of your head and neck, you can start gently rubbing your little one's face using a washcloth. Follow it with the head and the rest of the body. Then, pour a washcloth that is safe for newborns.

Wipe the baby's face and entire body again, don't forget to clean every curve and crease of his body (no need to get inside the ears or nose).

Clean the fold area

Clean both baby's eyelids with a soft cloth or cotton that is not much lint. Finish by cleaning the baby's bottom and genital area, starting from front to back

Let the baby enjoy bath time

To stimulate the baby's sense of touch, let the baby enjoy his bath time and pour warm water on his stomach or shoulders slowly.

Pick up the baby with both your hands and wrap it in a dry towel. Cuddle and rock the baby after bathing to build bonds and affection between mother and child.

Things that need to be considered so that the baby's skin does not dry out quickly

Baby skin is thinner and fragile than adults and requires very gentle care. Babies' skin usually absorbs and degrades moisture more quickly, making it easier for them to dry out.

Here are some things you can do as a way to bathe a newborn without drying out the skin:

Watch bath time

Make sure you bathe the baby for no more than 10 minutes. Apart from the fact that babies can get cold, bathing too long can make babies wrinkles. Then avoid leaving the baby for too long soaking in soapy water.

Apply moisturizer after showering

After bathing, you can apply moisturizer while the baby's skin is still damp and has just been towel-dried.

If the skin is still dry, it needs to be applied 2-4 times a day. Use a moisturizing cream containing lanolin which can protect baby's skin from irritations, such as diaper rash and cheek rash.

That way, the baby's skin feels more comfortable.

Avoid soap containing detergents and foam

Use a gentle skin cleanser for babies and don't contain a lot of soap. Avoid bubble baths as this can strip natural oils from the skin.

Also avoid antibacterial soaps, which are rich in fragrances, as they can irritate the skin. Choose a soap that has a neutral phH.

Put it on baby oil

You can also give baby oil after the dry body is wiped by a towel. Please choose baby oil which is easy to absorb and lightweight.

If the oil is not absorbed quickly, and the baby's body remains oily after application, it will make irritation easier. Especially if you live in a hot place and your baby tends to sweat.

The benefits of bathing for newborns

Bathing has good benefits, not only for newborns but also for parents because it is able to build a bond between parent and baby.

Here are some of the benefits of bathing for newborns that may not be known:

Increase bonding

As mentioned earlier, bathing a newborn is a way to increase the bond between parent and baby.

Time spent alone between your baby and you can make your little one feel like he is being cared for.

Taking care of your baby is also a way to let your little one know that you care for him or her. When you bathe your little one, look him in the eye, give him a smile, and play with his little fingers.

Make babies learn

It turns out that bathing is also one of the learning activities, you know, for babies. But of course not learning hard and difficult things.

One of them is that your little one learns to train his sense of touch. Feeling the splash of water and rubbing the washcloth allows his sense of touch to distinguish between fine and rough textures.

Keep making sure that the baby is happy when he is bathing. This is done so that your little one's mood is well maintained and bathing is not a frightening specter for him.

Soothes fussy babies

When a newborn is fussy and cries incessantly, parents are bound to feel anxious. The thing on the parent's mind may be whether he or she is feeling sick or maybe uncomfortable.

Well, bathing a baby can actually be one way to make him feel comfortable again.

You can make your little one more comfortable by massaging the baby after bathing with a frequently used lotion or oil of telephoto.

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