Bathing a newborn in the first days of life. What to do after swimming? Bath and additional accessories for it

Having been discharged from the maternity hospital with a newborn baby, parents learn step by step how to care for him. An integral part of this process is the baby's first bath. This procedure often raises many questions and concerns among adults. After all, the delicate skin of a baby requires extreme care, and an unhealed umbilical wound can cause infections. That is why parents need to familiarize themselves with the intricacies of children's water procedures. Let's tell you in more detail how to bathe a newborn baby for the first time.

When can you start water procedures?

You shouldn’t rush things and start bathing your baby on the day of discharge from the hospital. After all, the baby’s umbilical wound has not yet had time to heal, and with direct contact with water, it may well become inflamed. Therefore, the first full bath of a newborn should be carried out no earlier than two weeks after his birth. Until this point, you need to wipe the baby daily with a damp terry towel, paying close attention to the folds. This procedure cannot be neglected, naively believing that the baby is already absolutely clean. The fact is that microcracks in children's skin can accumulate bacteria, leading to the development of infections. The most common cause of sepsis in newborns is insufficient hygienic care.

In addition, pore-clogging fat is released through the baby's skin. If it is not washed off in a timely manner, the regulatory functions of the skin will not be fully performed. That is why pediatricians recommend bathing children every day in the warm season, while in cold weather 2-4 times a week will be enough. Water procedures not only cleanse the skin and open its pores, but also reduce the baby’s muscle tone. Warm baths soothe the baby, help with colic and promote sound sleep. And finally, water procedures are an effective means of hardening a small organism. Therefore, after the umbilical wound has healed, it is necessary to make water procedures a mandatory part of the toddler’s usual daily routine.

Dr. Komarovsky, a pediatrician of the highest category, advises: “There are two phases of bathing a child: before the umbilical wound heals and after. Water procedures with immersion are recommended only after the navel has healed. Parents should take this into account. Before the navel heals, you can wet a terry cloth with warm water and wipe the baby’s skin. The baby doesn't get dirty at all. If it gets dirty in a specific place, you can always wash it. But in principle, a newborn does not need bathing. Baths until the child begins to move independently around the apartment are not needed to wash away dirt. Water procedures are an excellent way to ensure a restful night's sleep, stimulate energy consumption and harden. This is exactly why babies need bathing.”

Preparing for your first swim

The main function of parents is to provide the baby with comfort and absolute safety during water procedures. That is why the first bath of a newborn after the maternity hospital requires careful preparation. To avoid damaging the baby's delicate skin with her nails, the mother should cut her nails short and remove all jewelry from her hands. A rubber mat, which you should carefully place in the bathroom, will help you avoid falling on a wet floor.

Let's tell you in more detail what you need to bathe your baby:

• Baby bath
  Some parents refuse this accessory, preferring an adult bath. But this is not a very good solution. After all, an adult bath is a favorable place for the proliferation of microbes, and it is not always possible to disinfect it properly. In addition, filling the baby bath with water and adjusting its temperature will be much easier. In a miniature container, the baby will be able to feel more comfortable, and the absence of slippery cold walls is an additional advantage. And parents won’t have to stand bent over a deep bathtub and then suffer from back pain. Before bathing, the baby bath must be placed on special wooden stands or stable stools. It is recommended to use regular baking soda to clean the container. After treatment, the bath should be rinsed with hot water.
• Slide or hammock
  To ensure that the newborn baby's head is above the water level, it is recommended to lay him on an inclined surface. To do this, parents will have to purchase a special swimming slide. By the way, such devices are built into many models of modern children's baths. An alternative to a hard slide can be a soft hammock, which will be especially comfortable for your baby. However, if parents plan to constantly bathe the baby together, it is quite possible to do without additional accessories.
• Water thermometer
  For the first time at home, you need to fill the bath with warm water, the temperature of which will be 37-38 degrees. For this purpose, you should use a special thermometer rather than rely on your own feelings. Children's devices for determining water temperature are available today in a wide variety of variations, be it classic boats or a variety of sea creatures. Do not remove the thermometer from the bathtub during the entire bath. After all, over time, the water may cool and the baby will become cold.
• Disinfectants
  It is recommended to use various additives for water disinfection from birth until the baby reaches two months of age. Previously, potassium permanganate was especially popular among parents. However, according to pediatricians, it does not have sufficient disinfecting properties and poses a danger to the baby’s health. After all, if it gets into the eyes, potassium permanganate can cause a serious burn to the mucous membranes. When using it, it is necessary to pour the solution into the bath exclusively through gauze in order to avoid large crystals of the substance getting into the water.
  A much safer substitute for potassium permanganate is a decoction of string. To prepare it, pour a glass of herbs into a jar and pour 1 liter of boiling water. The broth should be infused for 3-4 hours under a plastic lid. Before bathing a newborn in a series, the solution is filtered through gauze and added to the water. Pharmacies also sell ready-made herbal decoctions that do not require pre-brewing.
  It is worth noting that our grandmothers threw silver objects into the water intended for bathing a baby. And this was done not only for reasons of disinfection. According to popular belief, this promised the baby wealth in the future.
• Loofah, soap, foam
  The optimal solution for the first bathing would be a soft terry mitten or cloth. After all, hard washcloths can injure the baby’s skin and cause him unpleasant associations associated with water procedures. It is recommended to use bathing products (soap, shampoo) no more than twice a week.
• Kovshik
  It is useful for dousing the body and head of a newborn. Since the baby is in an inclined position in the bath, his shoulders and neck are located above the water level. To prevent these parts of the child’s body from freezing, it is necessary to regularly water them with water from the bath using a ladle or other utensil with a handle.
• Soft towel
  The towel should be large enough to cover the baby from head to toe. Today there are towels on sale with a corner that acts as a hood. Wrapped in them, the baby will be reliably protected from hypothermia.

What time of day is best to bathe babies?

The time for water procedures largely depends on the capabilities of adults. Since it is much more convenient to wash the baby together, it is necessary to choose a watch that is suitable for both parents. As a rule, they occur in the evening. However, you will also have to focus on the baby. After all, if he is fast asleep at night, you should not wake him up for a bath. Otherwise, water procedures will become real torture not only for the child, but also for the parents.

Olesya, Milana’s mother (1.5 years old): “We bathed our daughter exclusively in the evenings. But always at different times, which, apparently, was our mistake. It often happened that the baby was already fast asleep, and it was necessary to postpone bathing until the next day. However, a couple of times we still woke up our daughter in the evening to take a bath. The screams were simply deafening. We decided to save our nerves and not conduct such experiments again.”

According to pediatricians, the baby should be bathed before the final evening feeding, approximately between 22 and 24 hours. Then, after water procedures, the baby will get hungry and tired. It is important to note that the child must be prepared for the bathing process by doing gymnastics and body massage. You should set aside about half an hour for these activities.

Instructions for bathing your baby

The question of how to properly bathe a newborn baby is relevant for most parents. Many adults are afraid of harming their baby or doing something wrong. However, on the eve of water procedures, parents need to discard all restless thoughts, because nervousness can be transmitted to the baby. It is also worth noting that the first bath is an introductory one, so it should not last too long: 3-5 minutes will be quite enough. Here are the sequential instructions:

1. Fill the bathtub with water to about 15 cm. Place a ladle nearby to water the baby.
2. Gradually immerse the baby in the water. The head, shoulders and chest should be on the surface. If there is no hammock or slide, the baby's head should be located on the elbow of an adult, and the back should be supported by his left hand. Finding yourself in the bathroom naked, your baby may be afraid of his own hands. Therefore, it is recommended to bathe him for the first time directly in a diaper, covering his hands with a cloth.
3. We wash the chest, legs and arms of the newborn with a terry mitten soaped with baby soap. Particular attention should be paid to the genitals. If we are talking about a boy, you should not pull back the foreskin when washing. After all, any careless movement on the part of parents can lead to the formation of cracks and wounds. The girl needs to be washed exclusively from front to back, so as not to introduce an infection into the vagina.
4. We soap the baby's hair with baby soap, then rinse it off with clean water from a ladle. The stream should flow from the forehead to the back of the head, and in no case vice versa.
5. At the same time, you need to carefully ensure that the baby’s ears, eyes and face remain dry.
6. We turn the baby onto his tummy and wash his back, supporting his chest and head. Rinse off the soap with warm water from a ladle. This must be done very carefully so that there is no foam left on the baby’s skin, which can lead to allergic reactions.
7. After 3-5 minutes, take the child out of the bath and wrap him in a soft, large towel.

Irina, mother of seven-month-old Daniel: “For a long time I thought about what to buy for the baby’s bath: a rag hammock or a plastic slide. In the end I took both. And I didn’t regret it at all. In the first months, I bathed my son in a soft hammock. And when he grew up, they began to use the slide. So both devices came in handy.”

Post-swim care

Having placed the baby wrapped in a towel on the changing table, you need to gently blot his skin, paying special attention to the neck folds, armpits and groin area. After carefully examining the folds on the baby’s body, if necessary, powder them with baby powder. If your baby is fussy or fussy after bathing, you can breastfeed for a short time. Otherwise, any body care procedures will cause another bout of crying in the baby.

After water procedures, you can wipe the baby’s eyes with cotton swabs dipped in boiled water. Movements should be made from the temple to the bridge of the nose. Next, having made flagella from cotton wool, you need to clean the child’s eyes and ears. The next step will be to treat the navel with hydrogen peroxide. After dropping a few drops of the solution onto the umbilical area, you need to gently wipe it with a dry cotton swab. An alternative to peroxide is brilliant green or a strong solution of potassium permanganate. Finally, the baby needs to be dressed and fed.

Thus, the baby’s first bath requires serious preliminary preparation and taking into account many features. The baby’s subsequent attitude towards water procedures directly depends on how it goes. Therefore, a positive attitude from parents is an integral part of the process. As practice shows, most newborns quickly get used to bathing and spend time in the bathroom with great pleasure.

The content of the article:

In this article we will answer all questions regarding the first bath of a newborn. Let us consider in detail the step-by-step algorithm for the first bath of a newborn baby, the features and difficulties that may arise in this process.

The first days of a newborn at home are the time for him to adapt to you and his home environment, and for parents this is the period of developing a new lifestyle. The procedure for bathing a child for the first time on his own raises many questions and fears among young parents. First of all, they are interested in information about the organization of the process, for example:

1. How to prepare a place for swimming?

2. What related items should be available?

3. How warm should the water be?

4. Do I need to add a decoction of herbs or potassium permanganate to the water?

5. When should the baby be given a bath for the first time after being discharged from the hospital?

6. How to do this correctly?

7. How long does the procedure take?

Parents have a certain fear that they may drop their child.
In fact, everything is not so scary, the main thing is to be confident in yourself and strictly follow the recommendations described below.

Swimming area

While the mother and child are in the maternity hospital, the family must prepare everything that is necessary to organize hygienic care for the newborn. It is advisable to allocate space in the bathroom for storing children's swimwear. Naturally, put things in order.

A baby's bathtub is one of the essential items that needs to be washed thoroughly with soap and hot water.

Related Items

To ensure that the procedure of bathing a newborn does not cause nervous tension in parents, it is necessary to prepare in advance such items as:

Baby bath (anatomical is best, but it’s expensive and you’ll quickly “grow out of it”);

Bath stand;

Rinse ladle;

A basin or other container for clean boiled water;

Thermometer for measuring water in the bath;

Potassium permanganate or decoction of medicinal herbs;

Large diaper;

Baby soap.

A bath stand is a very convenient device; you can bathe a child not in the bathroom, there is usually not enough space there, especially for two, but in the kitchen. And it’s also good because you don’t have to bend over, you can adjust the height to suit you.

When bathing a baby, pediatricians advise using soap, and not special baby shampoo. This is due to the fact that it does not actually cause allergic reactions.

How often do you bathe a newborn?

Pediatricians differ on when and how often to bathe newborns. Some advise bathing newborns only 1-2 weeks after birth, when the umbilical wound has healed, but experience shows that bathing not only does not harm the healing process, but, on the contrary, promotes it. Therefore, most pediatricians advise bathing a newborn immediately after discharge from the hospital. The baby must be bathed every day until 6 months, with the exception of days after vaccination and during illness.

Water for bathing a newborn

During the first two to three weeks of a child's life, he is bathed in boiled water. The reason for this is an unhealed umbilical wound, which must be treated with care. The water is boiled to avoid infection. For the procedure you will need:

Boil the required amount of water for the bath, so that the newborn is completely in the water;

Cool it to a temperature of 37°;

Check the temperature with a water thermometer, if you don’t have one, then by lowering your elbow into the water, since the skin on them is the most sensitive;

Dissolve potassium permanganate in a separate bowl, strain it using gauze and add to bathing water. The solution should not be saturated;

Instead of potassium permanganate, you can use a strained decoction of medicinal herbs; they do not dry out the skin as much. Their name will be suggested by a pediatrician, for example: chamomile, string, sage;

Prepare a ladle with clean boiled water for rinsing.

What should be the temperature in the room when bathing a newborn?

The temperature in the room where a newborn baby is bathed should be higher than in the rest of the house, it should be in the range of 24-26 degrees Celsius. Therefore, before bathing, the bathroom or room where the newborn is going to be bathed must be warmed up.

The procedure is usually carried out before evening feeding and nighttime sleep, as the baby falls asleep better. But there are children who, on the contrary, become more alert after bathing and find it difficult to put them to sleep, then it is better to transfer the procedure to the daytime, for example, after a walk.

For parents of a newborn, the first bath causes great excitement, especially if they have no experience and no one to help. The first time it is more convenient to bathe the baby together - one holds him, the other washes him.

Important: You need to hold the baby correctly in the bath, the head should always be above the water, hold the baby by the hand opposite to you (as in the photo).

Once a week, the baby is bathed using baby soap; on other days, soap is not used. Baby shampoo can be used from 3-6 months, it is also used 1-2 times a week.

Don’t be nervous, you need to “get yourself together” and act step by step:

1. On the changing table, place the baby on a diaper and cover it on both sides. In principle, you can do without a diaper, but for inexperienced parents it is somehow easier.

2. Carefully, in a diaper, completely lower the child into the prepared bath of water.

3. Slowly turn the baby around so that he does not experience discomfort and remove the diaper.

4. Lather your arms, legs, torso, and scalp one by one (soap one hand and put it in water, then soap the other, etc.). I wash my face only from a ladle with clean water without soap, pour it into my hand and wipe it.

5. If the baby does not cry during bathing, then you can let him lie in the water for another 3-5 minutes, while stroking and talking to him. In the future, if the child likes to bathe, the bath time can be gradually increased to 30 minutes.

6. Raise your “treasure” and rinse with water from a ladle, which we take from a basin or other dish with boiled water (one holds it by the opposite leg from itself with the head lying on the elbow, the other rinses).

7. Wrap in a towel and take to the changing area.

8. Using gentle movements, blot the baby’s body dry with a towel.

9. Toilet a newborn: treat the umbilical wound; Apply cream to all folds of the skin.

10. Dress, feed and put to bed.

Important! Avoid getting water into the newborn's ears, eyes, nose and mouth.
When bathing, you should pay attention to the folds on the child’s skin (behind the ears, on the neck, armpits, buttock and groin folds, palms and between the fingers and toes), rinse them well, as these places are most susceptible to contamination. At first, you can wash the baby simply by hand, and then it is better to use a baby washcloth or mitten.

You will need to boil water for bathing until the umbilical wound is completely healed (this is about 2-3 weeks), and then you can use tap water. At the same time, do not forget to check its temperature.

It is better not to use bath stands; they do not allow the newborn to be completely immersed in the water; with the stand, it is not possible to bathe, but to wash the child. In addition, due to temperature changes, since the child is not completely placed in the water, he may freeze and become sick.

When the baby grows to 3-4 months, he can be bathed in a regular large bathtub. You may need special equipment, such as children's swimming circles, a high chair or slide for swimming, and a mat. We advise you to sign up at the clinic for infant swimming, which is carried out in the clinic itself in a large bathroom, or you can invite a nurse to your home. She will teach you the technique of bathing your baby and teach him how to swim and dive. Water procedures will bring you and your baby even more pleasure.

How to bathe newborns: video

Bathing is very important for newborns. This is not just a hygienic procedure, but also hardening the baby and introducing him to the world around him. Almost all children like to swim; they go into the water with pleasure. However, if at the first acquaintance with water the baby experiences unpleasant sensations and gets scared, then in the future it will not be so easy to force him to bathe. That is why it is important to carry out the first water procedures in your life after first familiarizing yourself with how to bathe a newborn baby correctly.

Content:

When to take your first bath

There is a lot of controversy about when to bathe a child for the first time. Some insist that it is necessary to wait until the umbilical wound is completely healed, others say that you can take a bath immediately after discharge from the hospital. As a rule, this happens on the third to fifth day of the baby’s life. In this matter, it is better to rely on the opinion of a pediatrician, who, based on the general condition of the newborn, will give recommendations on care and daily hygiene procedures.

It is better to bathe a newborn at the same time, preferably every day before the last feeding. If the child is capricious and shows that he is tired, then it is advisable to cancel bathing and limit himself to wiping with wet wipes or a soft towel soaked in warm water.

Important! It is necessary to wash or wipe the baby's folds, treat them with baby cream, oil or talcum powder daily. It is in these places that the skin is most susceptible to diaper rash.

Video: Treatment of baby's folds to prevent diaper rash

Preparing for a swim

Before water procedures, you should prepare all the necessary accessories in advance and put them so that they are at hand. This is especially important if the mother bathes the baby alone, without helpers. To take a bath you will need:

• special baby bath and slide;
• antiseptic solutions;
• a ladle for pouring water and rinsing the baby;
• baby detergents – soap, shampoo;
• soft towel.

Baby cream for creases or powder, clean clothes in which the child will sleep should also be prepared in advance.

Baby bath

It is better to bathe a newborn in a special bath. It is convenient because it is compact and does not require a large volume of water. The first time you have to boil water for a newborn, this is a big plus. It is advisable to install the bath so that the mother does not have to bend over too much.

The bathtub is washed before each bath. There is no need to use chlorine-containing products for these purposes every time; thorough disinfection is enough once every 1-2 weeks. Before each bath, wash it with baking soda or laundry soap and rinse thoroughly with water. You can pour boiling water over it, but this is not necessary.

Antiseptics

Until the umbilical wound has healed, the child should be bathed in pre-boiled water. In this case, there is no need to add additional disinfectants. The procedure consists of washing the baby and rinsing the folds. After bathing, the umbilical wound should be treated as recommended by the pediatrician (usually brilliant green is used for these purposes).

When the umbilical wound heals well, you don’t have to boil the water, but it is advisable to pass it through a filter, at least a homemade one. It is recommended to add agents that have disinfectant properties to unboiled water.

Potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate)

Until recently, pediatricians strongly recommended adding a weak solution of potassium permanganate to water. Today this method is increasingly being abandoned. And for good reason. The fact is that a solution acceptable for bathing, when the water becomes only slightly pink, is not able to fully disinfect. A stronger solution will burn the baby’s delicate skin. Potassium permanganate is very drying, which negatively affects the condition of the newborn’s skin, leading to the appearance of rashes, peeling, dermatitis and other problems.

If you still decide to bathe your newborn in a solution of potassium permanganate, you should dilute it in a separate small container. To do this, first pour potassium permanganate (at the tip of a knife) into a prepared clean bowl, then pour in warm boiled water. Close the container and shake the resulting solution thoroughly until all particles dissolve.

The product should be poured into the water prepared for bathing very carefully, controlling the amount. Then mix the water and make sure that there are no undissolved particles left, which, if they come into contact with the skin, can cause a burn, and if they get into the eyes, even lead to blindness. The color of the water should be slightly pink.

Herbal infusions

It is preferable to use decoctions and infusions of herbs: chamomile, sage, calendula, string and others. These herbs have an antiseptic, soothing effect on the skin, relieve irritation, inflammation and peeling.

To prepare the infusion 2 tbsp. l. Pour 1 liter of boiling water over the selected herb, cover and wrap. Let it brew for 1-2 hours, strain. Pour the warm infusion into the prepared bath (30-50 liters) and stir. Do not make an infusion that is too strong. The herbs listed have a drying effect and, if their concentration is too strong, can cause peeling. In addition, some newborns experience an allergic reaction.

Bathing water temperature

It is convenient to use a children's water thermometer to measure the water temperature. A temperature of 37°C is considered comfortable for the first bath. As it cools, you should pour hot water from the ladle carefully along the wall of the bath from the side of the baby’s feet, then stir it thoroughly.

When the baby gets used to the water and loves to swim, the temperature can be lowered at the parents' request. Some parents, for the purpose of hardening, bathe their child in water whose temperature does not exceed 32°C. This is a good hardening measure, but it’s still not worth starting with cool water.

General rules for bathing a newborn

When everything is prepared, you can begin water procedures:

1. A special washcloth is used to bathe a newborn. It can be replaced by a small piece of clean soft cloth. Many parents wash their baby with soapy hands.
2. You cannot use soap every time; you can wash your newborn with soap or special foam no more than once a week. Even if the baby is sweating, washing with plain water (with the addition of herbs) will be enough. You also need to wash your hair with detergents no more than once a week. If a newborn has yellow crusts on his head, they are removed during bathing, when the skin is steamed. To do this, use special shampoos to remove crusts or baby cosmetic oil, as well as soft brushes with natural bristles.
3. It is convenient to have a special slide for babies up to six months, until they learn to sit on their own. If there is no slide, then the newborn should be held with your left hand (provided that the mother is right-handed) so that the head lies on the bent elbow, carefully clasping his left arm under his armpit: this way the child will not slip out and will be securely fixed.
4. It is necessary to bathe a newborn baby from above, from the baby’s neck, down to the legs. Much attention is paid to folds. You need to wash each of them with soft sliding movements: on the neck, armpits, arms, groin folds, folds on the legs.
5. Wash the child's head from the forehead to the back of the head, thoroughly rinse the folds behind the ears. Wash your face, avoiding the eye area. After bathing, it is better to wipe the eyes of a child in the first month of life separately with a gauze swab dipped in chamomile decoction.
6. It is better not to use soap when washing. It will be enough to wash the genitals with a cotton pad generously moistened with water. Rubbing for a long time or trying to remove the film or protective white coating in girls is prohibited, otherwise the risk of infection will increase.
7. After bathing, remove the child from the bath and rinse with clean water from a ladle. It is advisable that the rinsing water be one degree lower than the one in which the child bathed.

For the first water procedures, 5-7 minutes are enough. The child gets acquainted with water and gets used to it. There is no need to use soap and shampoo during the first bath; it is better to introduce them to your baby after a week or two. Subsequent baths are increased by 1-2 minutes each time, if the child likes it, he is happy, and is not capricious. By a month, the duration of the procedure takes 15-20 minutes, and by 6 months – up to half an hour.

Things to remember: The risk of injury in the bath is very high, so the baby should not be left alone for even a minute. The baby can become completely immersed in water and choke.

Swimming with an inflatable ring

Many mothers use an inflatable neck ring almost from the first days of their child’s life. In fact, this is a very useful attribute, but it is advisable to use it no earlier than the baby is 1-2 months old, when he is already stronger, holds his head confidently, is used to water and is not afraid to bathe in a large bath.

A properly selected circle is absolutely safe. It fixes the baby's head and does not allow water to penetrate the baby's mouth and nose, which eliminates the possibility of choking. In addition to having fun swimming, this is also a great exercise for your child.

After swimming

You should take the baby out of the bath very carefully, holding the head. It is advisable for someone to throw a towel over the child and take it from the mother's hands. If there is no one to help, then put the newborn on a bent arm, turning him down with his stomach so that the head rests on the palm, throw a towel on top and then carefully turn him over onto his back.

Some mothers spread a towel on the washing machine or a changing table installed in the bathroom, place the bathed baby on it and wrap it up. This can really be a solution if at first it’s hard to get used to getting the baby out of the bath. However, it is worth remembering that under no circumstances should you leave a child at a height: even newborn children, actively moving their arms and legs, can approach the edge and fall. Unfortunately, there are many such cases.

After bathing, let the baby lie down for 5-10 minutes. At the same time, you should not preheat the air in the room too much, otherwise there will be no point in hardening. Pediatricians believe that 22-25°C is the optimal temperature for such procedures. After the baby is completely dry, treat the folds with baby cream, oil or powder to avoid diaper rash.

Important! Talc should only be applied to completely dry skin, otherwise under the influence of moisture it will roll up and clog into folds, causing even greater irritation.

After all the procedures, dress the baby in dry, clean clothes, feed and put to bed. Most likely, well-fed, satisfied and tired, he will quickly fall asleep on his own.

From the moment the baby is born, young parents are literally burdened with a huge amount of responsibility. Feeding and changing diapers are not all the tasks that your child needs to perform in his first days at home. – the process is not as complicated as it might seem at first. You can turn it into fun if you know just a few rules.

It is time?

When? On what day of stay at home can you bathe your child for the first time? Almost all new parents ask this question. In fact, the determining role here is played by the condition of the baby’s umbilical wound. Previously, washing the baby was allowed only after it had completely healed. And modern pediatricians allow a newborn to be bathed already on the second day of being at home (usually the fifth day after delivery).

Only an examination by a pediatrician can answer the question of when it is correct to bathe a baby for the first time and what liquid can be used for this. Until the umbilical wound is completely healed, only boiled water is used for washing. The required amount of liquid is prepared in advance, after which a clean baby bath is filled.

If an adult bathtub is used to bathe a child, it must be thoroughly washed with baking soda each time. In addition, in this case the child is supported in the water independently, which is not very convenient in practice. That is why, for the first time, doctors recommend purchasing a special bath for bathing newborns or washing babies in small containers.

The water temperature should be maintained around 36°C. This will protect the baby's delicate skin from burns. To measure this important indicator, you will need a special thermometer. The main thing is not to forget to control the temperature before each wash of the baby.

What is necessary?

The first bath is usually a slow process. Therefore, it would be wise to prepare your newborn’s bath accessories in advance. These include:

• a special bath (it must be thoroughly washed before each procedure and use cleaning products intended for babies);
• thermometer (it is important to remember to observe temperature conditions so as not to overheat the child);
• a washcloth or soft mitten for wiping the newborn’s skin;
• toys that will help distract the child during the first bath (so the washing itself will be more relaxed);
• soap or foam that can be used to wash small children;
• towel, materials for treating the umbilical wound, diaper and baby clothes.

Temperature

One of the basic rules of children's bathing is maintaining the correct temperature in the bath. The pediatrician can tell you what it should be like for each period of the baby’s development.

The container is filled with liquid to about 15 cm, and the water must be boiled. It is best for your baby to take water treatments at a temperature of 36-37°C. When this one feels more comfortable and much calmer. Reddened skin and a desperate cry indicate overheating. The whining of a child, on the contrary, indicates that he is cold.

Bath products

When a child takes a bath at home, doctors recommend adding decoctions of various medicinal herbs to it. Sometimes a solution of potassium permanganate can be used for these purposes. It is very important to maintain the required concentration of the product in the water, otherwise you can simply harm the newborn.

For those who believe in omens, there is an interesting tradition. Silver jewelry (except for the cross) was placed in the bath, which helped attract wealth and prosperity into the child’s life.

Duration of the procedure

Doctors recommend not bathing newborn babies for more than 10 minutes. If the baby is very frightened and nothing can calm him down, then the procedure should be interrupted a little earlier. If the child feels comfortable, then you can stay a little longer, but constant monitoring of the temperature is necessary. For example, you can heat water in a saucepan and use it when necessary.

Frequency

The tenderness and sensitivity of the baby’s skin and its low acidity explain the impossibility of resisting fungi and bacteria. Therefore, you need to bathe a newborn once a day, and starting from six months, you can carry out the procedure every other day. Soap accessories are used once a week; on other days, decoctions of medicinal herbs can be added to the bath.

It is best if this process occurs consistently at the same time. Most often, parents opt for the evening period and perform procedures before feeding. However, the determining factor should always be the mood of the newborn: if he is calmer during the daytime, then taking a bath should be moved to this time of day. There are children for whom washing in water is an exciting procedure, not a calming one. In this case, it is also not recommended to take a bath in the evening.

Set of basic rules

• 15 cm - this is how much the bathing container is filled with water. The head, chest and shoulders should remain dry. For rinsing, there should be a ladle with warm water near the bath.
• The baby is first undressed and picked up. It must be lowered into the water very slowly and extremely carefully. The baby's head should be on the elbow of one of the parents, and the back should be supported by the left hand.
• Hands and feet, chest, genitals are washed with a cotton swab. Then the baby is turned over on his stomach; his chest and head are placed on the parent's hand - at this time they wipe his back. The baby's head is washed last.
• Rinsing occurs from a pre-prepared jug. If you wash your hair with shampoo, it is important to prevent it from getting into your baby’s eyes. Therefore, you need to water from the baby’s forehead to the back of his head. Rinsing should be especially thorough, since foam from detergents can cause an allergic reaction on the skin.
• The baby is taken out of the bath very quickly and wrapped in a warm and soft towel. Then you need to put him on the changing table and remove the remaining drops of water with gentle movements. All the baby's folds are thoroughly blotted. On the advice of your pediatrician, you can apply oil or cream to dry skin of newborn babies.
• The last step is to treat the umbilical wound. Different experts recommend different processing methods. Recently, “dry” healing has become popular. And adherents of the “old school” treat the umbilical area with a solution of hydrogen peroxide. Only a pediatrician can help you choose the right consistency, and experiments are fraught with negative consequences.

A well-known pediatrician today, Dr. Komarovsky, shared his thoughts on water procedures with mothers. He said that first of all, it is important to learn to distinguish between bathing and hygiene procedures. To strengthen the whole body, it is recommended to start bathing the baby in an “adult” bath as early as possible. The place for water procedures should be prepared in advance, and not in a hurry. Before washing, it is important to do gymnastics and massage with children.

Thus, by following only a few simple rules, you can really turn the process of bathing your child into a real pleasure!

When the first-born appears in a family, the rhythm of life changes, and you have to adjust all your time to the little person. The baby's mother may have difficulties when swaddling the baby for the first time, or during the first feeding. But if this can be dealt with without much difficulty, then questions related to the baby’s personal hygiene will certainly arise. One of the first questions that will arise is how to bathe a newborn after the mother and baby arrive from the maternity hospital.

What should you prepare for your first swim?

The baby can be bathed for the first time at home on the day he arrives home from the maternity hospital. But if the baby was vaccinated just before discharge, then the child needs to be bathed the next day. In addition to the bathtub, you will need a thermometer to measure the temperature of the water, and here the question arises at what temperature is best to bathe the baby. The best temperature for swimming is 37° - 38.5°. And you will also need a thin diaper (the baby must first be wrapped in a thin film and then immersed in water), and a towel. You can add a pre-prepared herbal decoction to the bath, and add it to the bath of water before bathing. In the room where the baby will be brought, there should be an oilcloth, with a diaper on top of it, on which the baby will need to be placed. You should prepare oil for lubricating folds, powder, cotton pads or swabs in advance. There are several options for when you can bathe a newborn. The time of day at which you can bathe your baby is individual for each person; it will depend on the child’s well-being. The best time for swimming is in the evening.

How to properly bathe and wash your baby?

After everything necessary for bathing is ready, the baby is undressed and left for a while on the changing table so that he gets used to the surrounding temperature. Before bathing, you can give your baby a massage or perform gymnastic exercises with him.

We put a diaper in the bath and place the baby on it. Before putting your child in the bath, you need to check the water, it should be warm. To answer the question of how often to bathe a newborn, that the baby is bathed so that he is clean. According to most pediatricians, a baby should be bathed at least twice a week. And you need to wash and wash every day. It is important to wash children of different sexes correctly. So, girls are washed from front to back, and boys, on the contrary, are placed with their stomachs on the palm.

Let's start bathing the baby

Some tips for bathing your baby:

• We put the baby on a thin diaper, which we prepared in advance, and gradually immerse the baby in the water, holding his head with his left hand. It is necessary to bathe a child in a diaper so that he quickly adapts to life outside the belly, and this way he will feel much calmer.
• First, you can simply wash the baby with water.
• Next, you need to apply it very carefully over the head, then behind the ears, and under the chin.

• Now let's move on to the baby's body. We thoroughly wash all the folds, do not forget about the armpits, the area under the knees and the groin. The baby has even higher muscle tone, and his fists are usually clenched, so you need to unclench them and wash your palms and between your fingers.
• The water in the bath will gradually cool down, so you need to prepare a container with hot water in advance to add it to the bath when the need arises. Water is poured into the bath in a thin stream, along the wall of the bath, where the child’s legs are. At the end of bathing, the baby should be rinsed. To do this, you need to remove the child from the bath and, holding him over the bath, rinse him with boiled water prepared in advance. The baby is placed with his stomach on his left hand and rinsed, this will be most convenient.

• After this, holding the child in this position, they throw a pre-prepared towel over him and wrap him up.

After bathing the child, wipe the baby dry, treat the navel, sprinkle the folds with powder, then dress the baby.

E.O. Komarovsky gives even more advice on how to properly bathe a child in his programs

What bathing products to choose?

When bathing your baby, you can use baby products that are designed for this: shampoo, foam, gel, soap. It is advisable to purchase all these products in specialized children's stores or pharmacies. You can also use a decoction of herbs to bathe your child, for example, chamomile, calendula, motherwort. A decoction of such herbs will relieve inflammation on the skin and relieve diaper rash. Infusions can be prepared not only from one herb, but also from a mixture of several herbs.

Devices for bathing a newborn

It will not be easy for the mother to bathe the baby for the first time, so it is better for one of the relatives to help. But if no one is around while bathing your baby, you can use special bathing devices, which are sold in any children's store. For example, it could be a circle or a slide. When a child lies on a slide, his back and head are fixed, which makes bathing easier. Unlike a slide, when a child is on a circle, only his head is supported. The choice of bathing equipment is up to the parents. And if you want to see how kids bathe using certain devices, you can watch a video.