What Do I Need for Baby's First Bath?

How to give a newborn a bath

What You'll Need

Washing station- Make sure your setup is steady, and position baby’s head away from the faucet.
Water - Fill the tub with about 3 inches of water that's a little bit hotter than lukewarm. Check with your wrist first.
Warm room - Keep the temperature raised so it’s not a shock to baby’s system when she comes out of the bath (75 to 80°F).
Washcloths - Use one color for bath time, another for diaper changes.
Plastic cup - For rinsing. Or squeeze a wet washcloth over baby’s head to get rid of soap.
Baby soap - A mild, tear-free cleanser for both baby’s body and hair is ideal.
Extras -Remedies that your doctor suggests should be in arms' reach.

Once the umbilical cord stump has fallen off, you can start giving baby full baths. Bathing a newborn can be tricky at first, so if possible, enlist the help of a partner or family member. “It’s best if those early baths can be done with multiple caregivers around so you have extra hands if you need them. After you’ve rounded up your baby bath supplies and decided where you’ll be bathing your little one, follow these step

How To

Start by soaking baby. Always keep a hand on him (infants are slippery when wet). Start from the top and work your way down. Wash his face first, cleaning one small area at a time. As you move down, thoroughly wash inside all those folds (under the arms, in the neck, the genital area, etc.). Save baby’s dirtiest parts (athe diaper area) for last. Then, move back up and wash baby’s hair. Since infants lose most of their heat through their heads, this should be your very last move. If the water is still warm, you can engage in a little playtime, but don't splash for too long — as the water chills, baby will start to get cold.

How to sponge bathe a newborn

For the first week or so after birth, you’ll want to give baby a quick, gentle sponge bath. Here’s how.

Step 1: Gather supplies. Make sure you’ve got everything you need. At a minimum, you’ll want a dry towel, clean diaper, washcloths and baby soap at the ready. “Have all your supplies within arm’s reach so you don’t have to step away. Never leave a baby alone in the bath, even for a second.

Step 2: Pick a place. Decide where you’ll be giving baby that newborn bath. While not strictly necessary, baby bathtubs are convenient. They can be placed in the sink or tub, and some have a hammock-style sling that supports baby’s head. Choose a spot that’s fairly warm and where it’s comfortable for you to kneel or stand while keeping a hand on baby at all times.

Step 1: Fill the tub with a few inches of warm water. Aim for about 2 to 3 inches of water, to keep baby safe. Making sure to support baby’s head at all times, gently lower your little one into the water. The bath temperature for a newborn should be between 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, never hotter than 120 degrees. While most parents are worried about making the bath too hot, be sure you don’t err in the other direction, since babies get cold easily. Water should be warmer than you’d expect. Dipping your wrist in is a good way to gauge the temperature, but if you’re nervous about getting it right, you can use a thermometer.

Step 3: Wash small sections at a time. After removing her clothes and diaper and placing her in the baby bathtub (or simply on a soft, dry towel), you’ll want to cover baby with another towel, lifting only a small area at a time and patting dry as you go. Using a washcloth dipped in warm water, gently wipe baby all over, paying special attention to her diaper area and any creases and rolls.

Keep baby covered during the bath. Even in a warm bath, baby can lose body heat quickly. “I always kept my two babies covered with a warm washcloth. Warm the bathroom before bathing the baby.

Give baby a good wipedown. Using a soft washcloth, gently wipe baby all over, including her head and face. Pay special attention to creases under the arms, behind the ears, around the neck and the genital area. A newborn bath may seem incomplete without lathering up with baby soaps but it’s not strictly necessary. “There’s no harm in using a natural, scent-free soap, but warm water and a cloth is plenty to get them clean,” Smith says. If you do opt for shampoo, cup your hand across baby’s forehead when rinsing her head so the suds don’t run unto her eyes.

Step 4: Skip the lotion. Once baby is out of the bath and wrapped up warmly in a hooded towel, you don’t need to worry about applying after-bath products. Newborn skin can often look dry, so it’s tempting to slather baby in lotion—but it’s not a must. “Babies are born with soft, supple skin and natural oils, so they don’t really need lotion,” Williamson says. For any dry patches around the ankles and wrists, try coconut oil, sunflower oil or petroleum jelly. And while you may think baby powder is a nice touch after a newborn bath, pediatricians advise against using it because the particles can get into baby’s lungs and cause respiratory problems.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU BATHE A NEWBORN?

For newborns, a sponge bath one to three times a week should be sufficient. 

Keep in mind that you shouldn’t fully immerse baby in water until the umbilical cord falls off. For circumcised baby boys, sponge baths should continue until their penis is healed.

Resource:

https://www.thebump.com/a/umbilical-cord

https://www.thebump.com/a/best-bath-products