First Bath for Baby

Your baby has been home for a couple weeks and you are thinking it is time to try out bath time!  This can be a fun event, but needs some forethought to make sure every one has a good first bath.  By making sure you have a couple items and getting yourself – and baby – prepared, bath-time can be a big hit!

 

It is a good idea to make sure your baby’s belly button has fully healed before giving a full bath.  It may take a week or two before your baby’s umbilical stump falls off, but make sure to keep it clean before that happens.  Use a cotton q-tip and some warm water to gently clean around the area.  It may seem red and sore, but baby is just healing and it is nothing to worry about.  While you are waiting for your baby’s belly button to heal, make sure to give nice wipe-downs with a warm washcloth as needed.  Don’t over wash baby!  Their skin is sensitive and still getting used to being out in the open air.

 

It has been a couple weeks, baby’s belly button is nice and healed, and you can tell baby is ready for their first bath!  But, how do you do it?  Giving baby a bath isn’t anything to get concerned about, and with a few basic items, you can do it!  Make sure to purchase an infant/child bathtub, which can be used in your bathtub or shower.  Many tubs come with different level adjustments for infant to small child.   Mine is a mesh cover that lies over the tub and you can lower it using side adjustments.  It is a good idea to check out your baby stuff before you use it for the first time, so make sure to spend some time with your tub and read the instructions before use – it will help you feel more comfortable when you do bath-time for the first time!

 

Pick a time of day that you know baby is alert and usually happy.  Even after a few weeks, your baby has started showing a routine to its day and you are starting to get to know when baby is more aware or when naptime is looming.  If your baby goes into bath-time during an awake and happy time of day, it is more likely that you will have success!  While getting ready to have a bath, keep baby occupied either in a swing chair, playing on a blanket nearby so you can have your hands free to get everything ready.

 

Set your baby tub in your tub or shower and fill with warm water.  My tub has a plug in it that turns red if the water is too hot.  Your bath water should be warm to the touch but not too warm that you can’t keep your hand submerged in the water without pulling it out – about 100 degrees.  If you are unsure if your water is too hot or too cold, use a thermometer to check it out.  Don’t fill your tub all the way; around 2/3 full gives room for baby.  While your baby is still distracted, get your bath supplies ready. 

 

Bath supplies are an important part of making bath time fun and enjoyable.  It is a good idea to have 2 towels, a washcloth, baby bath soap/shampoo, and some bath toys available and ready to go.  Once baby is in the bath you should never leave them alone to grab something!  Have everything at an arms length so there is no reason to be distracted!  I lay out a towel, put my washcloth at the side of the tub, and my favorite baby bath shampoo and soap right next to the tub.  Because you are giving baby their first bath, bath toys might not be essential, but if you want to break out the rubber ducky, it might not hurt.

When the tub is ready, you are satisfied with the water temperature, and all you bath time essentials are ready, it is time to get baby!  I know I was a little worried about how this was going to work the first time we had a bath.  I felt it would be best if we just went for it!  I got her undressed in the other room and explained to her what we were doing in a nice calm voice.  I wrapped her in the extra towel and got in position over the tub.  This was it, time to go for it!  I unwrapped her and slowly lowered her into the tub.  She gave me a funny look, and then I gently started washing her with the washcloth.  At least she wasn’t crying so I took that as SUCCESS!

 

Since that first bath, we have been enjoying bath time and all the fun we can have while getting clean!  I have learned a couple things that have helped make bath time even more successful that might help you. 

 

-Don’t be surprised if baby has a bowel movement or pees right away when they get into the tub!  The water is warm and baby relaxes, which sometimes leads to potty time.  Take baby from the bath and place in your towel and wrap them up so they stay warm.  Try to stay CALM!  Pour out the bath water and start over.  At least you know they wont do it again – and you have a nice clean back up towel all ready to go.  The fist bath we had, I had barely lowered her feet into the water when she went potty!  I took a deep breath, put her on the towel, dumped the water out, and started over.  It worked out just fine!

-Test a small amount of the baby soap or shampoo on your baby BEFORE you use it all over them!  Babies have extremely sensitive skin and you don’t want to irritate it.  By rubbing some on your baby in a small area a couple days before giving a full bath, it will let you know if there will be a reaction to your baby bath products.

-Have lots of towels ready!  Baby might need some extra warmth when they get out of the bath, and they may have a bowel movement at any time.  You can always put them away after bath time if you don’t use them. You don’t want to have to run out to grab a towel!

-Don’t worry if baby wants to “taste” the bath water.  It’s okay for baby to want to know what water tastes like and the soap you are using shouldn’t hurt baby.  Just make sure baby isn’t gulping down water!  If baby has gone potty in the water (you might not even know it), a little isn’t going to hurt either.  My wee one loves to put water in her mouth and even lick her hands.

-Try not to over do it with baby bath products.  I use a soap/shampoo combo and really use about the equivalent to a teaspoon to wash her hair and clean her body.  Too much soap can irritate baby.

-Never leave baby unattended during bath time!  I can’t say this enough!  Make sure you are focused on your baby during bath time without distractions!  This ensures that you are giving baby all your positive attention and allowing the two of you to bond and have a great bath time experience.

-Don’t rush bath time!  If your baby gets into the bath and starts wailing, try not to rush through it or give up.  Your baby might need a little time to adjust to the situation.  Talk soothingly to your baby and gently wipe it with your washcloth.  Hopefully, baby will calm down and enjoy their bath.  If baby is having a fantastic time in the tub, don’t be tempted to rush things along because you are bored with bath time.  As long as the water is still warm, encourage baby to splash and enjoy their bath. 

 

Baby’s first bath is a wonderful thing.  There is nothing like a baby in a bath tub, so make sure to have someone with you to take lots of pictures!  Don’t be worried about their first bath time – if you are properly prepared everyone will have a good time!