Bathing your baby should be an enjoyable experience for both of you. It can be a time for talking, listening and enjoying each other. Take advantage of this opportunity to get to know your baby and to let your baby get to know you.
Equipment needed for bath:
- Wash basin/infant tub
- Two bath towels (one for the bathing surface under the baby and the other to dry the baby) and a wash cloth
- Two diapers (just in case an extra is needed)
- Clean clothes
- Alcohol for cord care and cotton balls or Q-tips, depending on baby’s age
- Vaseline and gauze for circumcision care in newborn boys
- Baby soap, shampoo, comb and brush
Pointers for bathing your baby:
- Assemble all of your equipment before starting the bath.
- Your baby will require a sponge bath instead of a tub bath until the cord drops off and the circumcision site heals. Rub alcohol on the cord with each diaper change and sponge bath until it falls off.
- To prevent excessively dry skin, newborns need a bath only two or three times per week. Wash the baby’s face and bottom with warm water daily as needed.
- Room temperature should be comfortable, around 70-74 degrees Fahrenheit and as draught-free as possible.
- Water temperature should be warm. Test warmth by dipping your elbow, inside of wrist or back of hand into the water. Also remember the water will cool down during the bath, so it might be necessary to add warm (not hot) water gradually.
- Pay close attention to the skin creases since that is where lint and dirt may gather. Babies should not be scrubbed; a gentle wash will do. On newborns, you may see vernix (a white, creamy substance). Do not try to scrub it away. This substance is not harmful to the baby and was created when the baby was in the womb to protect the skin.
- Start the bath by washing “cleanest to dirtiest” or “face to bottom.” Genitals are cleaned washing front to back.
- The location for the bath can be almost anywhere that is comfortable for you and your baby. If your wash area includes a cold or hard surface, that area should be padded to make it comfortable and warm so that the baby will not lose body heat.
Bathtime don’ts:
- Never, never leave a baby unattended during a bath, regardless of age.
- Do not use soap on your baby’s face or hands. Avoid the face to prevent excessive dryness; avoid hands because babies put their hands in their mouths often.
- No oil should be used on the baby’s scalp because it can clog pores and may contribute to the development of cradle cap.
- Do not use baby powder on newborns. It gets in the air your baby breathes and may interfere with breathing.
- Do not stick anything in the baby’s ears because you never know how deeply you are probing and you could damage the ears.
- Never let the baby get chilled during the bath.
These helpful tidbits provided to you by Menorah Medical Center, serving Kansas City since 1931. Conveniently located on the corner of 119th and Nall in Johnson County, Menorah offers a full compliment of inpatient and outpatient services. To schedule a tour of our Family Birthday Center, please contact our pre-admission coordinator at 913-498-6320