For first-time mothers, bathing an infant is never an easy task, it can even be viewed as an "impossible task" for many mothers. To improve your situation, do not ignore the following tips!
Bathing for the baby is not too difficult, if the mother follows the special "procedure"
1 / Should a daily bath for the baby?
Unlike adults, daily infant baths are unnecessary. In fact, babies only need their mothers bathed about 2-3 times a week, and often wash their face and wipe diaper areas every day . Bathing your baby too much on the contrary will remove the natural protective layer on the skin.
2 / What should be prepared to bathe the baby?
In order to bathe your child in a "smooth" way, you should prepare the following items in advance:
- Baby baths: To prevent mothers from slipping their hands when bathing babies, mothers should choose a bath tub suitable for their child's age and physique. Mothers can give preference to specially designed baby baths so that babies can safely half-lie down and half-sit.
- Towels: Should choose soft bristles, made of natural fibers. In particular, mothers should pay attention to avoid excess fabrics on towels because they can touch and hook into the baby's skin.
- Baby shower gel: It is advisable to choose the ones for babies, with little foam and little scent to avoid irritating the baby's skin. In fact, mothers can bathe their babies with warm water and do not need to use any shower gel.
- Other items such as milk towels, eucalyptus oil, clothes, socks, hands and feet ... The mother should be prepared so that when the baby is showered, it can be used immediately, avoiding the cold when being "naked" for too long gas.
How to not be afraid of bathing? Many young children just see the water or see their parents preparing for the bath to become scared and fussy. In that case, what should parents do to help the baby overcome this "childish" fear?
3 / Bath "standard" for the baby
Unlike mothers thinking, bathing the baby is quite simple, as long as the mother fully complies with the following "procedures":
- Before taking a bath, mom should put a towel in the bath tub, to avoid slipping. With specially designed brasses this can be skipped.
- Pour water into the bath tub, in order of hot first cold next. Note that bathing water for children must be warm enough, but not more than 37 degrees Celsius.
- Start washing your baby's face with a cotton ball soaked in warm water. Use a cotton ball to clean the eyelids and corners of the baby's eyes from the inside out.
- Use a cotton swab to clean the baby's ear . Note that only clean the ear, do not put the cotton swab deep into the child's ears.
Use a clean towel soaked in water to gently wipe all parts of the body, starting from face to feet. Thoroughly wipe skin folds such as neck, armpits, fingers, legs, groin, genital area, anus ...
- If you want to wash your baby's hair, the mother puts the baby in the bath in a half-lying, half-sitting position, holding her arms behind her back to hold her armpits and arms. Use one hand to support the child's head, shoulders, and nape, and rub water on his head with the other hand. Note to avoid water in baby's eyes and ears.
- After bathing, dry your child's head and body with a towel. Mother can apply powder over the skin folds, and apply eucalyptus oil on the baby's chest, beak, back.
- At the end of the "process", the mother can use normal saline to clean the baby's nose and ears .
For babies who have not yet shed their umbilical cord, mothers need to add the following steps to their "process":
- Use a cotton ball to absorb the navel clean, then continue to use a dry cotton ball to pat dry the umbilical cord and feet.
- Use 70 degree alcohol to disinfect the skin around the navel
- Make your baby's umbilical bandage with a thin, sterile gauze. Or if you want, you can leave your belly button open
Bathing for babies: When to limit For those who are first-time mothers, bathing babies is always a first time experience confusing mothers. Overcoming the bath properly and properly, the mother also has to equip more information on absolute cases of not bathing the baby. Refer to the following 6 cases of taboo!
4 / Note when bathing your baby
- Bathe your baby in an airtight room, the room temperature is about 28-30 degrees C
- Cut nails neatly, and wash hands with soap before bathing your baby
- Do not bathe your child for too long, each time should only bathe your baby for about 5 minutes. Babies over 3 months old, bath time may be longer, but should not exceed 10 minutes.
- Do not pour too much water in the bath tub, 5-8 cm is fine.
- Do not leave your baby alone while bathing, even for 1 second
- Do not take a bath after your baby is full. Bathing before breastfeeding will help your baby eat better, and sleep better.
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