When should you start and stop bathing a newborn? How to bathe a newborn and how to give a bath after graduating
When should you start and finish bathing your baby?
Bathing your baby is an important part of the daily routine from the first days of life through to toddlerhood, a precious time for baby's growth and development, and for parents to bond.
What is the dry bathing technique for babies from the 5th day after birth?
Dry technique is a method of preserving the vernix caseosa that is attached to a baby's body from birth by not wiping it off as much as possible, and by taking care to keep the skin in its natural state. Vernix caseosa protects the baby's skin from bacteria and has the effect of moisturizing and retaining heat. The following results show that using the dry technique up to the 5th day after birth helps maintain the health of the baby's skin.
However, depending on the baby's condition and the hospital's policy, bathing may begin on the first day after birth. The important thing is to prioritize the baby's safety and health and choose the appropriate care method.
How long should I take a bath?
At the one-month checkup, the doctor will determine whether it is safe for your baby to bathe in the bath with adults. In most cases, if there are no problems at the one-month checkup, mom and dad can bathe with their baby.
What is the procedure for bathing?
Items to prepare before bathing
- Baby bath: a small bathtub for babies
- Bath cloth: Wraps your baby's body while bathing.
- Gauze: Useful for washing your face and rinsing off foam.
- Separate basin for your face: Have a separate basin for washing your face with clean, warm water.
- Baby soap: Choose one with gentle ingredients suitable for baby's sensitive skin.
- Bath towel: Used to dry your baby after bathing.
- Change of clothes and diapers: (Arrange in the following order from bottom up: change of clothes ⇒ diaper ⇒ towel)
- Baby cotton swabs: Used for baby's ear and nose care.
- Disinfectant: Use to disinfect the umbilical cord if necessary.
- Bath thermometer: Used to check the appropriate temperature for your baby.
- Moisturizer: Use a baby product to moisturize after bathing.
- Thermometer: Used to check your baby's temperature before bathing.
When bathing, choose clothes that are easy to move in and can get wet. It is also important to remove rings and watches and keep nails short to avoid injuring your baby. To prevent the baby from getting cold after the bath, keep the room temperature at around 20-25°C in winter and 4-5°C lower than the outside temperature in summer, and make sure the air conditioner does not blow directly on the baby.
Prepare the baby bath with water
Newborns are not yet good at regulating their body temperature according to their environment, so they easily get hot and cold after a bath, so care must be taken. The ideal temperature for a baby bath is 37 to 39 degrees, so that the baby can relax when bathing. The most reliable way to check the water temperature is to use a bath thermometer. If you do not have a bath thermometer, it is difficult to feel the temperature with your fingertips, so check the temperature with your elbow and fill the baby bath 1/2 to 2/3 full.
Put the baby in the baby bath with a bath cloth on
When putting your baby in the baby bath, cover him/her with a bath cloth before putting him/her in. By using a bath cloth, your baby can safely enter the baby bath even if naked.
Wipe your face
When cleaning your baby's face, first soak the gauze in a basin of warm water, then start with cleaning the eyes before cleaning the whole face.
- How to wipe your eyes: Remove any discharge from your eyes and gently wipe from the outer corner to the inner corner.
- How to wipe your face: Start at your forehead and move the gauze toward the sides of your nose, wiping your entire face in a "figure 3" motion.
It is important to rinse the gauze after each use and continue wiping the face with clean gauze. This will help protect your baby's delicate skin and keep it hygienic.
Wash your head with your hands.
When washing your baby's head, gently lather up the soap and wash with the whole palm of your hands. Then, rinse the soap thoroughly using gauze and gently dry the head with the gauze again.
Wash the front of your body
Wash in the order that is easiest for you, such as neck → armpits → hands and arms → chest → stomach → legs. Be sure to wash areas with lots of skin, such as the neck, armpits, groin, and backs of the knees, carefully.
After finishing the front of your body, wash your back and buttocks.
Gently support the back of the baby's neck with your left hand. Next, place the baby's chin on your arm and carefully place your right hand under the baby's armpit, then use both hands to slowly turn the baby onto its stomach. Avoid sudden movements to avoid stimulating the baby.
Place your baby on his/her stomach and use soapy water to thoroughly wash his/her back and bottom.
Note!
- Keep your baby's face out of the water: When placing your baby face down, take special care to keep his or her face out of the water at all times to ensure safety.
- Wash your baby's bottom carefully: The bottom, which tends to get dirty from feces and pee, needs to be washed especially carefully. To thoroughly remove dirt, wash gently and thoroughly with soap, then rinse thoroughly.
Wrap it in a bath towel and gently press it to remove any excess water.
When wiping off moisture with a bath towel, be sure to press it lightly to avoid damaging your skin.
Lightly place the diaper on the baby and quickly put both hands on the baby to change clothes.
Put your sleeve through as if you were shaking hands with your baby.
Moisturize your face and body
- Face: The area around the mouth is easily soiled with milk and saliva, and is prone to drying due to frequent wiping, so it is necessary to moisturize frequently, not just after bathing. The base of the ears is prone to cracking due to dryness. Moisturize behind and around the ears as well.
- Body: Moisturize the areas around your arms and legs, between your creases, and on your fingers and toes. Be sure to moisturize each finger carefully, and don't forget to moisturize the spaces between your fingers.
Disinfect the navel
After the umbilical cord has been removed, the navel area is a sensitive area that is at high risk of infection from outside, so be sure to disinfect it carefully until the tingling sensation goes away.
Once the person is properly dressed, arrange their hair and wipe their ears and nose with a cotton swab.
When cleaning your baby's ears and nose, make sure to hold the baby securely in place so that he or she cannot move.
Where is the best place to bathe a baby? On top of the bathtub lid?
Do not bathe your baby on the bathtub lid as this may lead to unexpected accidents while using the baby bath. Bath your baby in a safe place such as the kitchen, bathroom, or washroom where the temperature can be easily adjusted.
What should you be careful about when bathing your baby? How often should you bathe him/her, how long should you bathe him/her, and when should you feed him/her milk?
When is it better not to take a bath?
- Bad mood and lack of energy
- Fever (over 37.5°C)
- No appetite
- Repeated diarrhea or vomiting
- When you cough or sneeze a lot
- When the rash with pus is severe and has been stopped by a doctor
- Immediately before or after breastfeeding
When your baby is in a bad mood and has low physical strength, it is advisable to refrain from bathing in order to avoid putting unnecessary strain on the body. Bathing helps regulate body temperature and takes away physical strength, which can be a strain on the body when your baby is not in good spirits. Also, be careful not to bathe your baby right before or after breastfeeding, as they may vomit.
How often and for how long should I bathe my baby? Does it need to be bathed every day?
After birth, babies learn to be "awake during the day" in an environment where they can distinguish between light and dark. At about two months of age, babies begin to distinguish between day and night, and at about four months, their continuous, long periods of sleep begin to be concentrated at night, with the start time of the longest sleep period becoming roughly constant, so there is no set time for bathing in the first month. However, bathing a baby at the same time every day can help regulate their daily rhythm.
When should I give my baby milk before a bath?
Wait at least 30 minutes after feeding before giving your baby a bath. Moving your baby's body while changing clothes or bathing makes it easier for him or her to vomit. Waiting at least 30 minutes before giving your baby a bath reduces the chances of vomiting and makes bathing more comfortable.
What time should I take a bath?
Keep soaking time in the bathtub to no more than 5 minutes, and the total bath time to no more than 10 minutes. Long baths can be a big burden on your baby, so try to keep it to no more than 10 minutes.
What happens after you graduate from bathing? How to give your baby a bath and useful items
Basic bathing procedure
1. Adjust the temperature in your room and bathroom (20-25°C in winter, 4-5°C lower than the outside temperature in summer)
2. Prepare the items you need for the bath
- Baby bath towel [Large size to wrap your baby]
- Clean underwear
- Baby Wear
- New diapers
- Baby skin care products
- Change of clothes for yourself
- Personal towel
By preparing these items in advance, you can efficiently care for your baby after bath time, allowing both baby and parent to enjoy an enjoyable bath time without stress.
3. How you make your baby wait is important: Ensure a safe place to wait
Having a safe place for your baby to wait is essential so that they can wait safely while you wash them. If you have the space, putting them in a high chair or bouncer in the changing room and keeping them within sight during bath time will ensure they are safe and comfortable.
4. Wash your hair and body
To avoid leaving your baby wet, wash your hair and body first. While you are doing this, your baby should wait in the changing room. Keep your baby warm by covering him with a towel so he doesn't get cold, and keep talking to him so he feels safe.
5. Wash your baby
Sponges and other items can damage your baby's skin, so be gentle when washing your baby's delicate skin with your hands. Washing gently with your palms and fingers will help keep your baby's skin clean and avoid skin problems.
6. Take a bath with your baby
When bathing your baby, set the water temperature to a slightly warmer temperature of 37 to 39 degrees Celsius. Aim to keep your baby's bath time to within 5 minutes. This is to prevent your baby from becoming exhausted and tired if he or she stays in the bath for a long time.
7. Get out of the bath with your baby
After the bath, gently dry your baby with a large towel and then wrap him or her in the towel and place him or her in a safe, temperature-controlled area.
8. Baby Skin Care
Babies' skin is thinner than adults', and its thin and delicate skin does not have a well-developed barrier function to prevent moisture from escaping from the skin or to protect against external stimuli. Therefore, after getting out of the bath, it is important to use skin care products to properly replenish the moisture and oils that baby's skin needs.
Reference: Skin thickness in young infants and adolescents: Applications for intradermal vaccination
Reference: Journal of the Japanese Cosmetics Society Vol. 38, No. 1, pp. 28–36 (2014)
9. Changing baby's clothes
Change your baby's clothes in a heated room to prevent them from catching a cold after a bath. Keeping the room moderately warm will keep your baby comfortable while you change them safely. This simple measure will help protect your baby from catching a cold after a bath and helping them stay healthy.
How to bathe a baby from 1 month old to when they can hold their head up and what are some useful bath items? [1-3 months old]
How to take a bath
Please support the back of your baby's neck firmly until the baby can hold its head up. Newborn babies' muscles are not yet fully developed and they cannot support their heavy heads on their own.
Useful items
- Baby monitor: By using a baby monitor, you can keep an eye on your baby even in places other than the changing room. For example, you can prepare your baby for a bath while he or she is sleeping in the crib, and have the baby wait in a safe place other than the bath or changing room, so that you can bathe without taking your eyes off the baby.
Source: amazon.co.jp
- Baby cot: Baby cots are very useful as a portable, safe baby bed. By using the baby cot immediately after washing your baby in the baby bath, you can avoid having to move your baby repeatedly.
Source: amazon.co.jp
- Large bath towel: It is important to pay attention to the material because it fits the whole body of the baby and touches the baby's skin directly. A large towel can wrap the whole body of the baby after bath and remove moisture from the whole body. Poled's large hooded bath towel is made of non-twisted yarn and 100% natural cotton fibers, and is made with the baby's skin in mind.
Reference: Poled | Hooded bath towel, large size, easy to put on and take off
How to bathe a baby when he can hold his head up, roll over, and sit up, and what are some useful bath items? [3-6 months old]
How to take a bath
From the time when the baby can hold its head up, roll over, and sit up, parents will likely bathe with the baby instead of making the baby wait in the dressing room. Babies at this stage of development become active and move around by rolling over and crawling, so keep an eye on the baby by placing a bath mat or something in the bathroom within reach. If the baby can sit up, you can bathe with the baby using a bath chair or other bathing aid, or have the baby wait in a bouncer in the dressing room.
Useful items
- High chairs: High chairs are very useful for keeping your baby safe and comfortable while you prepare the bath and while you care for them after the bath. If you choose one that is height adjustable, it can be used in a variety of situations.
Source: amazon.co.jp
- Bouncer: Once your baby gets used to sitting in the bouncer, he or she will start playing by bouncing up and down like on a swing. This allows mom and dad free time to play.
Source: amazon.co.jp
How to bathe a baby who can sit up and stand up and what are some useful bath items? [6 months old]
How to take a bath
Once your baby is able to sit up, bath aids (Hug Bear or bath chair) can be very useful, as they make it easier for parents to support the baby, making bath time safer and more enjoyable.
Useful items
- HUGBEAR: HUGBEAR is a convenient item that makes bath time more comfortable for single parent bath time. It is especially useful for stabilizing your baby in the bath. With HUGBEAR, your baby will feel supported and comfortable and safe in the bath.
- Bath chair: A bath chair is a very useful item for keeping your baby safe in the bath. You can sit and wait while washing your baby with both hands.
Source: amazon.co.jp
Reference: HUGBEAR | Hug Bear Baby Bath Bath Aids
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to bathe my baby without using a baby bath?
If you don't have a baby bath, you can still bathe your baby using other alternatives. There are many things you can use, including a basin or a plastic wardrobe. The important thing is to think about your baby's safety and comfort first, choose the right alternative, keep it clean, and use it safely.
What is a shower bath?
Showering is done by showering the baby on a shower mat. The biggest advantage of showering is that you can thoroughly wash the baby's body using the water flow of the shower. This reduces the amount of soap and shampoo left behind, reducing skin problems for the baby.
Should I cover my baby's ears during bath time?
There is no need to take excessive precautions with your baby's ears while bathing, as they naturally keep out water and any small amount of water that does get in will evaporate naturally.
summary
Babies should start bathing from the first day after birth. You should graduate from bathing to bathing only after getting permission from the doctor at your one-month checkup.
When bathing, it is important to gently wash your baby's body and moisturize thoroughly. It is best to bathe your baby in a safe place such as the kitchen or bathroom where the temperature can be easily controlled, and ideally, bathe your baby at the same time every day to help regulate their daily rhythm.
After bathing, as your baby grows, you can enjoy fun bath time together as a parent and child, using the bathing techniques and convenient items introduced here.