Every bath time can be a special time for bonding with your newborn. Cooing, singing, talking — your baby loves the sound of your voice and thrives on your soft touch. Giving your baby a sponge bath can also strengthen the bond between you and your little one.
Baby Bath: Getting Ready
Pick a warm room with a flat surface, like a bathroom or kitchen counter, a changing table, or a bed. Cover the surface with a thick towel. Make sure the room temperature is at least 29 degrees Celcius because babies chill easily.
Assemble all the baby bath products you will need:
- Baby bath sponge or clean washcloth (double-rinsed)
- Blanket or bath towel (a hooded one is nice)
- Clean diaper
- Clean clothes
- Warm water (NOT Hot water!)
Important: NEVER leave your baby alone in a bath — not even for a moment. If you must get to the phone, the stove, or whatever, take your baby with you.
Baby Bath: Time for a Sponge Bath
Gentle sponge baths are perfect for the first few weeks until the umbilical cord falls off, the circumcision heals, and the navel heals completely.
The basics of bathing a baby:
- First, undress baby — cradling the head with one hand. Leave the diaper on (wash that area last). Wrap baby in a towel, exposing only those areas that you are washing.
- Using a baby bath sponge or washcloth, cleanse one area at a time. Start behind the ears, then move to the neck, elbows, knees, between fingers and toes. Pay attention to creases under the arms, behind the ears, around the neck.
- The hair comes toward the end of bath time so baby doesn’t get cold. While newborns don’t have much hair, you can sponge the few wisps that are there. To avoid getting eyes wet, tip the head back just a little. There’s no need for shampoo; just use water.
- Now it’s time to remove the diaper and sponge baby’s belly, bottom, and genitals.
- Wash little girls from front to back. If there’s a little vaginal discharge, don’t worry — and don’t try to wipe it all away. Leave the foreskin alone if a little boy is uncircumcised. If circumcised, don’t wash the head of the penis until it’s healed.
- Gently pat baby dry. Rubbing the skin will irritate it.
Bath time is over, and your fresh little baby is ready for a clean diaper and clothes!
To take care of your baby’s smooth skin, we recommend you to use TYT Baby Herbal Bath. The water mixed with these herbs can be used for sponge baths or tub baths. TYT Baby Herbal Bath relieves the common discomforts infants may have, namely fever, stomach wind, nappy rash and skin itchiness. It can also remove body heat and relieve skin discomforts.
