WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
After the cord has come off, you can begin bathing your
baby in a tub. At first, the baby may object. But with time,
the baby will come to enjoy having his or her clothes off,
getting wet, and being washed. When getting a tub bath, the
child's safety and comfort are important. How often you
bathe your baby depends on his or her skin, the baby's
activities, and the weather. A bath may be needed only 1 to 2
times a week if the baby has dry skin, or sleeps most of the
day. In hot weather, an active baby with normal skin may need a
bath each day.
WHAT YOU SHOULD
DO
-
During the first few months,
use a baby bathtub or a clean plastic dishpan. The family
bathtub may be used once the baby is 6 months
old.
-
Fill a basin with 2 to 3
inches of warm,
not hot, water. Slowly put the baby's body in the
water. Use one of your hands to support the head. Keep your
other hand free to wash the baby.
-
Start at the top and move
down. You can wash the baby's head and hair 1 or 2 times a
week with a gentle shampoo. Rinse with a washcloth to get
rid of all shampoo.
-
Rinse off the eyelids with
fresh water. Wash the ears with a cloth. Do not put cotton
swabs in your baby's ears. This will push the wax back into
the ear.
-
Use either a washcloth or
your hands to soap the baby's body. Carefully wash the
areas under the neck, between the legs, and under the
arms.
-
When bathing a boy, wash his
bottom with a mild antibacterial soap or with plain water.
Be sure to lift the scrotum and wash underneath
it.
-
If bathing a girl, wash her
bottom area with plain water. Wipe from front to back keep
from spreading germs from the rectum to other parts of the
bottom.
-
When you are finished
bathing, make sure all the soap is rinsed off the baby's
skin. Soap left on the skin can be
irritating.
-
You may apply lotion after
the bath once the baby is 3 to 4 weeks old. Use only lotion
suggested by your doctor. The lotion can be warmed by
placing the container in the tub water before the
bath.
-
Do not use baby powder
because it contains talc and may be irritating to your
baby's lungs. You may use cornstarch.
-
Never leave your baby alone in the bath. If you must
leave the room, take the child with you.
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