First time parents may feel a little scared in handling their baby bath time. However, this should be one of the most exciting and wonderful experience for parents to do. Parents especially mothers should relax and enjoy the moments. They only have to know how they will hold their babies properly. In time, they will gain more experience and be better at it. The first thing that parents should do is to prepare all the things that are needed during baby bath time.
Parents may prepare the following things:
- A small bowl of warm water
- Clean cotton balls
- A soft sponge
- Mild baby soap
- Clean and dry towel
- Thermometer
- Fresh and clean baby clothes
- Warm baby blanket
The first thing that parents will have to do is to clean their babies’ faces. They can dip some cotton balls into the warm water and then gently clean the surface of the skin. There is no need for soap as it may just irritate the skin of newborn babies. They may also clean the eyes by lightly dabbing each with the cotton balls or some soft cloth. Mothers may also gently clean the mucous out from their babies’ nostrils.
Parents may prepare their babies’ tub by putting enough water of about 5 inches only. They may add more water to the tub as their babies grow. It is important to check on the room temperature so that their babies may not feel so cold when undressed. They may need at least 37 ° C for the room as well as for the water temperature. Parents will have to clean their babies first before their baby bath time if they have soiled their diapers. They may also be ready as their babies can make pee the moment they feel the water in the tub. They have to use some old towels or some piece of cloth for them to pee on.
When everything has been set for baby bath time, parents may now undress their babies. They will have to use one hand as a support for the neck and the head of their babies while they wash them in the tub. Parents have to be careful so that their babies will not slip away from their grip. They should firmly hold their babies but they have to see to it that they are not hurting them as well.
Parents may now proceed with bathing their babies from the head to the toes. They can make use of some sponge to soap their babies from front to their backs too. They may wash their babies’ genitals gently and rinse them very well. They will have to wrap their babies on clean dry towels as soon as they lift them up from the tub. Parents may opt to use some mild lotion to keep their skin from being dry. They will have to dress their babies quickly and wrap them in warm blanket. Parents must see to it that they do not take too long in washing their babies. Baby bath time is a great bonding time for both parents and babies.