My mom had to travel when my son was a few weeks old so it was the time I faced my fears and bathed my baby. I remember looking at my human lying on the bed and thinking, this is it baba! It is about to go down! I am doing this and then every time I was about to pick him up I would tell myself, no wait, one minute *sigh* first-time motherhood things. So finally I decided to gather up all my courage and do it and just when I thought I was getting the hang of it, the champ slips into the water, and with his soapy body that is how that one minute bath ended. I was so scared and said how I will never bath him or any newborn baby in my life he might as well wait for grandmamma to come back and continue with the journey, it is not as if he is a construction manager at some sight so yes.. waiting was in order for us both.
I am excited because as the year is almost coming to a close up a lot of the E.D.D’s are almost here for most of the mummies I know so just to make sure you do not have massive heart attacks like myself let me share with you this simple tips
Here are simple tips to help you have a safe bathing experience with baby.
➤The basin water should not be more than 4 inches. This is because babies drown even in the least amounts of water.
➤The bath water should be warm. My mama taught me to either test the temperature by either my wrist or the inside of my elbow to ensure it is not hot. You want to avoid scalds.
➤Some children are extremely sensitive to cold and thus once you get to learn your baby or depending on how the temperatures are, warm the room or bathroom before their bath.
➤ALWAYS have one hand holding the baby. I had to learn the hard way when the baby slipped. So make sure at all times even if the water is not as deep that one hand is holding on to the baby.
➤Be a great planner and have everything ready for the bath so as to prevent leaving your baby unsupervised when you have to rush and go get something. I would advise that you even go with her in case you need to fetch something as opposed to leaving her behind.
➤Avoid bathing the baby when they are straight from feeding, hungry, or tired.
➤Do not put your baby in the tub or basin and then run the water from the tap. The temperatures may change and become too cold for the baby or in some instances the water then becomes deep for the child.
➤Ensure there are no electric appliances in the bathroom.
➤When you are preparing the bathwater always start with cool water and add hot water.
➤Always wait until the umbilical cord falls off before you wash the baby in a tub.
Step by step: How to bathe your baby as seen in Baby Center
1. Gather all your bath supplies (including mild soap, a washcloth, and a plastic cup), and layout a towel, a clean diaper, and clothes. Make sure the room is comfortably warm so your baby doesn’t get chilled.
2. Fill the tub with about 3 inches of water that feels warm, but not hot, to the inside of your wrist—about 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) or a few degrees warmer.
3. Bring your baby to the bath area and undress her completely. (TIP: If your baby cries through every bath, leave the diaper on at first. It can give her an increased sense of security in the water.)
4. Gradually slip your baby into the tub feet first, using one hand to support her neck and head. Pour cupfuls of bath water over her regularly during the bath so she doesn’t get too cold.
5. Use mild soap and use it sparingly (too much dries out your baby’s skin). Wash her with your hand or a washcloth from top to bottom, front and back. Start by washing her scalp with a wet, soapy cloth. Rinse the soap from the cloth and use it to gently clean her eyes and face. If dried mucus has collected in the corners of your baby’s nostrils or eyes, dab it several times to soften it before you wipe it out. As for your baby’s genitals, a routine washing is all that’s needed.
6. Rinse your baby thoroughly with cupfuls of water, and wipe her with a clean washcloth. Then very carefully lift her out of the tub with one hand supporting her neck and head and the other hand supporting her bottom. Wrap your fingers around one thigh. (Babies are slippery when wet.) If it’s possible, have another adult help by receiving your baby in a dry towel.
7. Wrap your baby in a hooded towel and pat her dry. If her skin is still peeling from birth, you can apply a mild baby lotion after her bath, but this is generally dead skin that needs to come off anyway, not dry skin. Then diaper her, dress her, and give her a kiss on her sweet-smelling head.