Bathing a newborn at home. Useful innovations and devices for bathing babies

Ekaterina Morozova

Reading time: 9 minutes

A A

The first bath of the crumbs is always an exciting event. Especially when this baby is the first. And, of course, there are a lot of questions about the process of bathing among young parents - to what temperature to heat the water, how to bathe the baby for the first time, what to bathe in, for how long, etc. Read also. So what do you need to know about baby's first bath?

How to start the first bath of a newborn: preparing a room, baths for bathing a child

First of all, to make bathing a joy for both you and your baby, prepare yourself emotionally. That is, do not worry, do not be afraid and do not gather too many relatives around the bath. Cope with bathing quite possible alone , and if you are alone with your husband, then even more so.

Video: The first bath of a newborn baby

• To start preparing a regular or bathroom (many bathe newborns in the kitchen).
• We heat the air in room.
• We install the bath (if in the room - then on the table).
• If the bathroom floors are slippery, then don't forget the rubber mat .
• We put a chair (holding the baby, bending over the bath, is very difficult).
• If you decide to bathe your baby in a large common bath, then it is unacceptable to use chemicals to clean it. Should definitely pour boiling water over it (this also applies to a small bath, in order to disinfect).
• For the first bath, it is better to use boiled water. (until the umbilical wound healed). You can soften it, for example, with an infusion of string, for a bath - 1 glass (potassium permanganate is not recommended for the first bath).
• If you have any doubts about the quality of your tap water, then pre-install the filter on the faucet .
• So that the baby does not slip in the bath, lay a thick diaper on the bottom or a towel.

The best time and most comfortable water temperature for bathing a baby

Usually, bathing time choose evening. But there are kids who, after bathing, fall asleep for a very long time, and, indeed, due to the exciting effect of water procedures. If this is your case, it is quite possible to bathe it in the afternoon, or even in the morning. The main thing - do not bathe the crumbs on a full and empty stomach. After feeding, time should pass - at least an hour (and no more than an hour and a half). Concerning water temperature, remember the following:

• The water temperature is different for everyone. But for the first bath, it is desirable to bring it to 36.6 degrees .
• The water should not be hot or cool. In the absence of a thermometer (which is better to stock up before giving birth), you can dip your elbow into the water - and already by your feelings decide whether the water is normal or hot.

How to determine if the water is suitable for the baby?

• If the baby is hot in the water, then he will express his protest with a loud cry, his skin will turn red, lethargy will appear.
• If it's cold- the child usually cringes, begins to tremble, and the nasolabial triangle turns blue.

Let's start the sacrament: the first bath of a newborn baby

A few years ago, pediatricians advised bathing the baby on the day of discharge from the maternity hospital, preparing boiled water with a solution of potassium permanganate for bathing, in order to avoid infection of the unhealed umbilical wound. Today, many pediatricians say that the first bathing of a newborn baby at home should take place only after complete healing of the umbilical wound . Since this is a very controversial issue, in each case, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician when exactly to bathe a newborn, receiving and performing only professional advice . It is also worth remembering that the baby cannot be bathed if the child is vaccinated with BCG on the same day (at least a day must pass after it).

How to bathe a baby?

• The child should be undressed in a warm room. to immediately dip into water. Carrying him, naked, from the room to the bathroom is wrong. Accordingly, you need to undress him right in the bathroom on the changing table, or bathe him in a preheated room if you don’t put a table in the bathroom.
• Undressing the baby wrap it in a thin cotton diaper Otherwise, he may be afraid of new sensations.
• Put the baby in the water (only calmly and gradually) and open the diaper already in the water.
• It is not necessary to wash the child with a washcloth with soap for the first time. It is enough to wash with a soft sponge or palm . And be careful with the umbilical wound.
• Special attention give the folds on the baby's body , armpits and genitals (the newborn is washed from top to bottom).
• Hold the baby in such a way that it the back of your head was above your wrist .
• The head is washed last (from the face to the back of the head), so that the baby does not freeze, carefully bypassing the eyes and ears. Crusts on the head (milk scab) cannot be removed by force (pick off, etc.) - this will take time, a soft comb and more than one bath, otherwise you risk infecting an open wound.
• The first bath usually takes 5 to 10 minutes .
• After bathing, the baby should rinse out of the jug .

Bathing for a newborn child and his parents is a whole event (especially if it is the first after the hospital). Like any very responsible business, this process raises many questions: how and when to bathe, boil water or not, whether it is possible to add decoctions of herbs and how often to do this, is it dangerous to get water in the ears, and so on. The well-known pediatrician Yevgeny Komarovsky in his books and articles has repeatedly talked about the basic rules and principles for organizing water procedures for a baby.

It is worth considering the most important points that you should know so that bathing brings pleasure and benefit to both the child and his parents.

Peculiarities

Water procedures are absolutely useful for all babies from the very first days of life. In the womb, the crumbs are in the aquatic environment, and therefore it is familiar and familiar to them. In the water, the little one feels at home. Bathing is not only a hygienic procedure aimed at keeping the skin and hair of the child clean. Taking baths promotes physical development, carries an element of the game, and therefore has a positive effect on the mental and emotional development of the baby.

A few decades ago, pediatricians categorically forbade bathing a child with an unhealed umbilical wound, opposed raw unboiled water, and set quite a few rather stringent requirements and restrictions for parents.

Modern doctors look at bathing more democratically.

Experienced parents, as a rule, have much less difficulties when bathing a newborn at home for the first time than new moms and dads who just a few hours ago received their first child in their arms. Komarovsky advises to keep the Spartan calm. It is this that guarantees success in the difficult task of bathing the baby.

Training

Should I bathe with an unhealed umbilical wound?

This question comes up quite often. Some pediatricians allow bathing even with a clothespin on the navel, others recommend refraining from taking water procedures until the umbilical cord dries. Yevgeny Komarovsky says that the choice is, of course, for the parents. However, if the child is kept in acceptable living conditions, does not sweat, does not overheat, does not get dirty, then nothing bad will happen to him if the baby does not bathe for a week or two. It doesn't bother him at all. If anyone is worried, then only mom and dad, but in this case there are wet baby sanitary napkins that you can wipe problem areas and folds at any time.

However, if you still decide to bathe, then the doctor advises doing this only with boiled water until the umbilical wound heals.

For a long time, doctors advised bathing in water with a solution of potassium permanganate. However, here you need to be extremely careful, undissolved grains of potassium permanganate can cause serious burns on the delicate skin and mucous membranes of the baby. The solution should be pale pink and should be added to the water just before bathing. Komarovsky does not recommend potassium permanganate at all, since in small doses it is useless, and in large doses it is dangerous. It is better to replace it with an infusion of a string.

Massage

Massage before evening bathing is a very useful and important procedure, Yevgeny Komarovsky believes. During stroking and patting, the blood supply to the muscles and skin improves, and the benefits will be even more noticeable if the baby is bathed immediately after the manipulations. To master a simple massage is within the power of all parents without exception. You do not need to enroll in special courses for this.

Massage before the bath Komarovsky recommends making it light and soothing. At first, with baby cream, mom can easily massage the hands (with strokes and circular motions, this should be done with the thumbs). Then the legs are massaged in the same way. The tummy is stroked with the palm of your hand or fingertips clockwise. Then the crumbs are laid out on the tummy and the back is gently massaged - first with circular and arcuate movements, and then with light pats.

Mom's movements should not hurt the baby, he should not go to the bath too overexcited and screaming from the heart.

Water temperature

Doctors recommend keeping the temperature at 37 degrees. It should be followed for at least the first 10-14 days. Then you can experiment - slightly raising or lowering the temperature (maximum - by 1 degree).

Some parents try to warm up the bathroom in advance, bring heaters into it (especially in cases where the first bathing at home takes place in winter). Komarovsky does not advise doing this. The temperature in the bathroom should be about the same as in the rest of the apartment (optimum values ​​​​are 18-20 degrees), and it is harmful to overheat the air in the bathing room.

Komarovsky for sound sleep at night advises to practice bathing in cool water, the temperature of which is not higher than 32 degrees.

Such procedures will not cause any harm, but the general strengthening effect will be evident, besides, in a cool bath, it is more difficult for a child to fall asleep while bathing. However, do not immediately rush to implement this recommendation. This should be started gradually. The initial water temperature for a newborn is 34 degrees. In a month, a child can reduce it by 2 degrees - up to 32 degrees, and increase the bathing time from 15 minutes to half an hour. In two months, the temperature of cool water can be lowered to 28-30 degrees, bathing time is half an hour.

These figures Komarovsky advises to take rather conditionally. If a child at 1 month calmly perceives bathing in water, the temperature of which is 24 degrees, there is nothing wrong with that. He sleeps soundly, has a great rest, worries himself less and lets his parents sleep.

Time

The first bath should not be made very long. It is better to start with 3 minutes, the next day extend the procedure to 5 minutes, then add a little more time. The best duration of bathing Komarovsky considers 15-20 minutes. If a quarter of an hour has passed, and the baby is calm and determined to continue the procedure, nothing bad will happen if the bathing is extended.

A newborn does not have time to get dirty enough to need to be bathed every day.

Although Komarovsky strongly advises washing the baby every day. When the baby begins to crawl, get dirty, actively explore the world, water procedures before bedtime should become regular and mandatory - you will have to bathe the baby daily.

It seems to Komarovsky that evening swimming is not a dogma. Parents themselves have the right to choose the most convenient bathing time for the family. Some evening hygiene procedures are transferred to lunchtime. However, Komarovsky warns that evening swimming has its benefits - for example, it promotes relaxation for a sound and healthy night's sleep.

Herbs and decoctions

Whatever traditional healers say, it is better to coordinate any use of phytotherapeutic agents when bathing with the attending pediatrician. Grandmothers, of course, will advise you to bathe your granddaughter in a row more often or be sure to brew nine forces for him, but the common sense of parents should be above all. If a child suffers from atopic dermatitis, diaper rash, a tendency (genetic) to allergies, be sure to consult a doctor.

For healthy children, bathing with the addition of decoctions of medicinal herbs is a rather useful procedure, Yevgeny Komarovsky believes. However, measure is good in everything, you should not prepare herbal baths daily, and you should be more careful with the dosage of decoctions and infusions.

Naturally, it will not work to treat something with the help of herbal decoctions added to water, since this is impossible, says Dr. Komarovsky. But big harm with moderate dosing will not happen.

What to do if the child does not like to wash and screams?

Such situations do occur, says Komarovsky. But the point here is not at all in the child, and not even in the fact that he is afraid of something. Most likely, according to a well-known pediatrician, bathing conditions should be adjusted. Maybe the temperature of the water does not suit the baby - it is too high or too low for him. After experimenting for several days, parents will be able to understand which water is most comfortable for the child. Bathing should begin with it - and only then adjust the temperature in favor of cooling (adding cold water in a thin stream) or heating (adding hot water in the same way).

Another reason for a child's cry in the bathroom, according to Komarovsky, lies in the rejection of the baby's bathing process, since it goes against his internal biological clock.

For example, a mother tries to bathe her baby only at night, and it is at this time that the child wants to sleep, not bathe. Therefore, Komarovsky gives some advice that will help parents whose children are rowdy in the water:

Change the time of day.

Change the order of eating and bathing. If the baby screams when bathing half an hour after eating, then try bathing him half an hour before eating (or vice versa).

Practice bathing with your child.

Large bath

This can be done already in 2-3 months, says Evgeny Komarovsky. At first, a child can get used to a large body of water with a circle around his neck. This is a special inflatable device with a notch for the chin and Velcro at the back of the neck. The kid is fixed in such a circle, his head is always above the water, and he can practice swimming on his back, stomach, turning over in the water on his own. Usually this picture leads the parents of the crumbs into indescribable delight.

You can swim without a circle. For this, Evgeny Komarovsky advises three poses:

The baby is completely immersed in water, only the face remains on the surface. At the same time, it is supported with index fingers under the neck. There is nothing dangerous in getting water into the ears and eyes, says the doctor. The main thing is that water does not get into the nose and mouth. Even if the baby takes a sip of it a little, nothing bad will happen either.

Approximate reading time: 10 minutes

Bathing a newborn baby is part of daily care. Incorrect technique and mistakes made can lead to a negative attitude of the baby to taking baths, and sometimes to serious complications. How to bathe correctly, what nuances should be taken into account, about this and more, in more detail.

Necessary attributes for bathing a newborn

For bathing a newborn, the following items are needed:

Bathing products

The skin of a newborn is very delicate and after childbirth is not fully formed, the sebaceous and sweat glands are not developed, so there is some dryness of the skin, unstable thermoregulation.

Cosmetics containing chemical fragrances, various harmful components can lead to unpleasant moments, such as dryness, rashes, dermatitis, etc.

Baby shampoo and bath foam are not recommended for the first six months of a baby's life. This is due to the content of fragrances and other substances that cause dry skin, allergic reactions.

The first week after birth, the baby should be bathed in a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate, in other words, potassium permanganate. This anesthetic disinfects water, does not allow pathogenic microorganisms to multiply, and promotes healing of the umbilical wound.

For bathing, a weak solution of the substance is used. In the pharmacy, you can buy already prepared 5% potassium permanganate, add 2-3 drops of the concentrate to the water prepared for bathing.

If it is not possible to find a finished drug, then you can do the following:

After consulting a specialist, when the umbilical wound has healed, the child should be bathed using herbal preparations. It must be remembered that herbs must be purchased in specialized stores or pharmacies, have appropriate safety certificates for use.

Medicinal herbs	Medicinal properties
Oak bark	It is used for various skin rashes (diaper rash, sweating, etc.). It has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Promotes rapid healing of wounds. It is not recommended to apply more than 2 times a week.
	It has the following healing properties: anti-inflammatory, soothing, reduces irritation. It is recommended for the development of diaper rash, various skin rashes.
	It has a calming effect, normalizes sleep, improves the condition of the skin. It is used for various neurological conditions.
	Typically used for skin problems. Relieves inflammation and rash, especially in the formation of a crust-gneiss, seborrheic skin manifestations. It is not recommended to apply more than 2 times a week.
	It has anti-inflammatory, softening properties.
	The main property is calming. Shown as a sedative for hyperactive babies.

The combination of herbs allows you to enhance the healing properties and achieve several effects, for example, a relaxing collection:

• valerian root;
• lavender;
• motherwort;
• chamomile.

It should be remembered that the use of any collection of medicinal herbs should be only after consultation with a pediatrician in order to avoid side effects.

Preparation of herbal decoction for bathing a newborn

The shelf life of the prepared bathing decoctions is not long, as a rule, does not exceed 48 hours. Therefore, it should be done on the eve of water procedures, thus, all useful properties are preserved.

For cooking, you need to take a 2-liter pot, boil water, add a handful of herbs of your choice. Turn off the heat, cover with a lid and let it brew for 20-30 minutes. After that, the mixture should be filtered through cheesecloth. Pour the resulting solution into a bath with water for bathing a baby.

If the decoction has been made in large quantities or has not been used for any other reason, it can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 48 hours.

Choosing a baby bath

The range of children's baths is quite diverse, various models and a rich selection of colors. However, not all of them may be safe. In order not to put your child at risk, you should pay attention to the following points:

• baby bath must be made of safe materials (polyurethane, acrylic, etc.)
• have appropriate security certificates;
• bath surface (sliding or vice versa);
• the baby bath should be well tolerated by systematic treatment with detergents;
• convenient dimensions (length from 80 cm, width at least 50 cm, height from 30 cm);
• stability of fasteners and the structure of the sides.

Baby bathtubs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Today there are the following varieties:

• The oval bath is a fairly common model and is in demand because of its cheapness. Regular model that does not contain additional accessories, however, they can be purchased separately;
• The anatomical bath is complemented by a built-in slide that repeats the shape of the baby's body. Prevents baby from slipping, head above water surface, suitable for single parent bathing;
• Antimicrobial bath surface, which is made of a material with antimicrobial properties, is indicated for children with high sensitivity of the skin. The disadvantage is its rather high price;
• The folding model of the bath is convenient because it does not take up space and is compact due to the folding property;
• The inflatable bathtub is an addition to the main bathtub, it is convenient for traveling, it can serve as a swimming pool;
• Built-in bathtubs allow you to install in special cabinets, combining with a changing table, or for installation in showers, bathrooms.

Preparing a baby bath

The purchased bath should be prepared before starting water procedures. It is necessary to wash it with ordinary baking soda, then rinse thoroughly with plenty of water and pour boiling water over it. This should be done before each bathing the baby.

It is not recommended to wash the baby bath with the usual detergents, since excess with insufficient rinsing can provoke a number of complications in the form of allergic reactions, poisoning and other pathological conditions.

Today, the topic of bathing a baby in an ordinary bathroom is becoming popular, however, in the first months of a child’s life, when the body is not yet adapted to the environment and for safety reasons, experts recommend conducting water procedures in special baby baths using various devices.

Bathing in the bathroom

Bathing a baby in a regular bath is not an absolute contraindication.

If the choice fell on the use of an ordinary bath for water procedures, preparation is necessary. It should be cleaned with baking soda, then thoroughly washed and rinsed with boiling water. This manipulation should be done before each water procedure.

The air temperature in the bathroom should be between +22 and 24°C. You can’t overheat because of the risk of complications in the baby due to temperature changes, where bathing is carried out and where the baby is dressed afterwards. There must be an anti-slip mat on the floor to prevent falling.

There are a number of points when it is worth making a choice in favor of a baby bath:

• poor condition of an ordinary bath;
• inconsistency of the microclimate of the bathroom;
• poor quality of running water;
• premature baby;
• the impossibility of the presence of an assistant.

Additional baby bath accessories

Today, to facilitate the task, a number of devices have been invented that not only make the bathing process safe, but also enjoyable for the baby. They are an addition to the baths, where such innovations are not provided.

Additional attributes include:

• inflatable circles;
• hammocks;
• mattresses;
• various coasters.

Some of them are already built into the baths, which is very convenient and does not require additional costs. It should be noted that they also require cleanliness, like the baby bath itself.

After each use, rinse with baking soda, rinse with plenty of water and, if possible, pour over with boiling water. It should be stored in a certain place where there is no accumulation of dirt and dust.

bathing water

On the issue of whether to boil water for bathing, experts are divided into two camps. Some recommend bathing in boiled water in the first month of a child's life, while others believe that this opinion is erroneous and the baby must be washed in running water from the first days of life.

The danger of swimming in ordinary water can be in the following case:

• if the water does not meet sanitary standards;
• if the umbilical wound has not healed, infection may occur with poor water quality;
• the threat of ingestion of poor-quality water.

In order not to endanger the baby, it is recommended to wash the first six months in boiled water. The temperature should not exceed + 37°С. To determine, you should use a special thermometer, in case of its absence, you can determine the comfort with the help of your wrist, dipping it in the bath. The water level should be approximately 5 - 10 cm, in the process of water procedures it will be necessary to add warm water.

It is necessary to boil water for bathing in advance, so it will be possible to dilute it to a comfortable temperature. To do this, you need to purchase an enameled bucket with a lid. Boiling water must be stored separately, out of the reach of children!

Conditions for conducting water procedures

Before bathing a baby, it is necessary to prepare not only a bath and water, but also a room where the procedure itself will take place. The room or bathroom should be warm. The air temperature should be + 22 - + 23 ° С, you can use a room thermometer to determine it.

It is necessary to bathe in a separate room (bathroom) so that humidity does not affect the microclimate of the place where the baby is most of the time. It is not necessary to close the doors to avoid drafts, a temperature drop can lead to a negative result.

First you need to prepare a changing table and the necessary things:

• cotton diaper, necessary for carrying out the first water procedures and adapting the baby to the difference between the temperature of the water and the environment;
• natural fabric towel (cotton 100%);
• diaper ironed on both sides;
• diaper;
• things for changing clothes after swimming (calico vest or knitted bodysuit, knitted overalls, cap);
• means for treating the umbilical wound, if it has not yet healed (hydrogen peroxide solution, brilliant green or chlorphilipt solution, sterile bandage, cotton swabs);
• sterile oil, powder.

Bath time

The bathing regimen should be stable and unchanged, so the child will be disciplined in the future, and over time the daily routine will be established. It is recommended to carry out the procedure in the evening, as it is relaxing in nature. At the same time, intestinal colic bothers the baby less, due to the antispasmodic effect of baths.

Bathed in the evening, the newborn falls asleep faster, and the quality of sleep is much better.

The period of the first bathing is up to 5 minutes, then in the subsequent time increases.

Bathing rules and techniques

The success of water procedures depends on the following points:

Massage and gymnastics

Performing massage and gymnastics allows not only to prepare for water procedures, but also to improve the physical, psycho-emotional state of the baby. Before bathing, while one of the adults is preparing everything necessary for bathing, as well as water, another adult is preparing the child. It is recommended to undress the baby and massage with light movements, turn it over on the stomach, and do gymnastics.

Massage consists of three stages:

• Stroking is carried out by hands with light movements. Sequentially, starting with the lower limbs, then the upper limbs, turn on the stomach and stroke the buttocks, back. After the baby is turned on its back and the stomach is massaged clockwise;
• Muscle kneading is carried out in the same sequence as stroking, with light kneading movements;
• Gymnastics is carried out by flexion and extension of all joints, it is forbidden to perform movements forcibly.

When performing exercises, there should be no negative emotions in the child.

Bathing technique

Bathing technique:

Newborn
The initial stage of bathing
The child is awake, calm and in a crib.	Prepares boiled water for bathing, potassium permanganate solution or herbal decoction. And also prepares a changing table, things and means for treating the umbilical wound, skin.	Helps mom prepare water for bathing. Measures the child's body temperature. Communicates with the baby.
The second stage of bathing
The child is calm.	Undresses the baby and prepares him for the adoption of water procedures. It is recommended that air baths for 2-3 minutes, you can do a light massage or lay the child on his stomach. Manipulation is carried out accompanied by communication with the child.	At this time, dad is preparing the room for the bathing procedure. Installs a pre-treated bath so that both parents have access. Prepares water no more than + 37ºС, also pours it into a jug for pouring. Pours a decoction or a few drops of potassium permanganate. Preparing a diaper for bathing.
The third stage of bathing (immersion)
The child is immersed in water. His reaction may be different and depends on the mood of the parents, who should not interrupt communication with him for a minute. Fear often arises not from water, but from the difference in temperature between air and water, as well as a misunderstanding of what is happening.	Mom wraps the baby in a diaper and places it on a slightly bent left arm, the baby's head should be in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe elbow. The hand should be under the knees of the newborn, holding it. First, the legs fall, then the buttocks and then the back. Thus, there is a slow immersion in water. The head is slightly raised above the water.		At this moment, dad should be on the hook and serve everything you need. At the same time, he must monitor the temperature of the water, if necessary, add warm water from the prepared bucket. And also maintain an emotionally positive attitude towards water procedures.
Fourth stage (bathing)
	With his free right hand, he waters the body of the baby. Washes with light movements using a terry washcloth the face, neck, arms, chest and stomach, legs of the child. At the same time, it makes sure that the water does not cool down and does not get into the ears.	Dad has to keep track of time. Monitors the child's condition, namely the symptoms of hypothermia (the appearance of "goose bumps"). Keep pouring hot water.
The final stage of the water procedure
The child may be tired from bathing and act up. A situation may arise that crying will occur after the end of the procedure, which should not cause concern for parents.	Having freed from the diaper, turns it gently back up. At the same time, mother continues verbal communication, for example: “Vodichka washes, makes our bead clean and healthy.” After transferring the baby to the changing table, the mother gently dries the baby, treats the umbilical wound as necessary, as well as the skin in the places of folds, then puts on a diaper and clean clothes.	Dad helps mom. Pours warm water from a ladle. Then wraps in a prepared terry towel and transfers to the changing table. After bathing, the father collects all the equipment, washes and prepares it for the next procedure.

Features of bathing a premature newborn

Bathing premature babies is different and requires the following guidelines:

• if the baby was born less than 1500 gr. bathing is contraindicated for the first 2-3 weeks after discharge;
• if the newborn was born with a body weight of more than 1500 gr. bathing is shown after 7 - 10 days;
• bathing should take place only in baby baths;
• room temperature + 25°С;
• water temperature + 38°С;
• after bathing, wrap in a warm towel;
• things intended for changing clothes after swimming should be warmed up and ironed on both sides.

Features of bathing boys and girls

In principle, there are no special differences, except for the difference in the anatomical structure of the genital organs in boys and girls. Ignoring these features can lead to various pathological conditions.

How to wash a girl

How to wash a boy

The health of the genitourinary system depends on the correct washing of the girl. It is necessary to wash the genitals from the clitoris towards the anus. This is necessary to avoid getting feces and intestinal infections into the vagina and urethra, which can cause inflammation and the development of diseases of the genitourinary system (vaginitis, cystitis, pyelonephritis, etc.).

You can not move the foreskin on the penis. In the first year of life, physiological phimosis is observed (the foreskin is motionless and completely covers the glans penis). It is recommended that while bathing, gently and gently pull the fold and clear the accumulated mucus, while the baby should not experience negative sensations. When the head of the penis opens, then special hygiene care is required using soap and rinsing with water.

Umbilical wound and bathing

Bathing a baby with an umbilical cord that has not fallen off is not an absolute contraindication. The use of boiled water and an antiseptic in the form of potassium permanganate prevents the infection from entering the wound.

If the child has additional contraindications to taking baths, then you can resort to skin hygiene in the form of wiping and washing, which is carried out with warm, boiled water.

You may be interested in: How long does it take for a newborn's belly button to heal?

What follows after bathing?

After bathing, the baby should be wrapped in a warm soft towel and transferred to the changing table, where the following manipulations will be carried out:

• Drying should be carried out with light movements. It is necessary to carefully perform movements, since the skin of a baby is extremely delicate and sensitive.
• Treatment of the navel is necessary after each bathing with an unhealed wound. For this you need:
  • hydrogen peroxide;
  • antiseptic (solution of brilliant green, chlorphilipt, concentrated solution of potassium permanganate, etc.);
  • cotton buds.

  First, the wound is treated with hydrogen peroxide - this is necessary to remove dead cells, dried blood clots and impurities. Then, with a cotton swab, previously moistened in one of the antiseptics, the umbilical wound is carefully lubricated, without affecting the surrounding skin. After the final healing, this procedure is no longer necessary.

• Treatment of the skin, nasal cavity, eyes and ears. During bathing, water may enter, which, in principle, is not dangerous due to the anatomical features (the ear canal is wider in a newborn than in an adult), however, it can cause the development of otitis media. The ears are cleaned with the help of cotton wool twisted into a flagellum, prepared for each ear canal separately.

  If water gets into the eyes, drying is carried out with clean cotton swabs or disks from the edge of the eye to the inner corner, also adhering to the principle of a separate swab for each eye.

  Then the skin is treated with baby oil or sterile olive oil. Wipe with your hands every crease in the neck, behind the ears, armpits, inguinal region, popliteal region. If there is diaper rash, it is necessary to use special creams Depanten, Bepanten, Desitin, zinc ointment, etc. The use of baby talc prevents the development of diaper rash in the folds.

• Dressing the baby begins with a diaper (the size corresponds to the age and body weight of the child). If the umbilical residue has not yet fallen off, the front of the diaper should be folded over to avoid injury. Then they put on a bodysuit made of natural fabric, usually made of 100% cotton, then they put on a jumpsuit or romper with a blouse and a fastener in front, knitted mittens. A cap made of chintz or knitwear is put on the head of the newborn.
• Feeding the baby is the final step. Then the baby goes to sleep.

Sterile leather treatment oil

The availability of various baby cosmetics relieves some parents of the hassle. However, there are situations when an infant suffers from excessive sensitivity to the components of industrial baby oil. In this case, the use of sterile vegetable oil is indicated.

For its preparation, you can use vegetable, olive, linseed and other types of oils. The content of nutrients (vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids, healthy fats, etc.) contributes to gentle protection, regenerative ability.

Preparation of sterile oil is possible in advance, and the manufactured product must be stored in a dark place.

You need to use only high-quality oil, pour it into a glass for testing and leave it in a dark place if flakes have formed or other inclusions cannot be used.

Preparation of sterile oil:

• it is necessary to prepare dark glassware with a lid;
• the oil should be boiled in a water bath for 10 minutes;
• you can only stir with a wooden stick;
• the finished product is poured into a prepared jar, sealed and stored in a dark place.

Psycho-emotional factor

Bathing is not only a necessary daily care, but also a psychological process when a child receives communication and understanding, the realization that he is loved and taken care of.

By the expression on the faces of his relatives, the intonation of their voice, he feels safe and secure.

It is recommended that when bathing a baby, include music or sounds of nature (birdsong, water sounds, etc.). Thus, the effect of relaxation is achieved and the child receives positive emotions from what is happening. Communication during the procedure develops his sensory skills, namely visual and auditory. It is necessary to pronounce all the words in a calm tone, for example: “This is how well we swim”, “The water loves us, the water is warm”, etc.

Bathing for a baby is not something new, as spending 9 months in the womb, being in the aquatic environment introduced him to the feeling of lightness and weightlessness of the aquatic environment. Taking baths after birth, he already sees his mother's face and clearly hears her voice. This strengthens the bond between mother and child, which subsequently plays an important role in the educational process and psycho-emotional development of the child.

The reward for a good organization of bathing is a beneficial attitude towards the baby’s procedure, accompanied by a smile, his satisfied pronunciation of sounds in the form of “agu” or “uh-uh”.

Why is the baby crying?

Often parents make mistakes that cause negative emotions in the baby from the bathing process. These factors can play a cruel joke, and subsequently the child will have a fear of water.

Bathing Mistakes:

• violation of the bathing regimen (late time);
• too cold or hot water;
• hit of soap or water on the mucous membrane of the eye;
• bad mood of the baby (crying, screaming);
• hunger;
• bad mood of parents.

What to do if the baby cries?

If the child expresses dissatisfaction in the form of crying or screaming, the procedure must be stopped immediately and calm the baby. In the case when the crying of the baby arose after being taken out of the bath, it is necessary to quickly complete the process of treating the umbilical wound, skin and dressing. Start feeding immediately.

You can not carry out the procedure while the child is screaming or crying, or in a sleeping state!

Note to parents

Bathing is essential in daily care, however, there are a number of conditions when water procedures are prohibited.

The contraindication is:

• high body temperature (more than 37.5 ° C);
• convulsive syndrome;
• the first two days after vaccination;
• heart defects;
• acute forms of various pathologies, accompanied by violations of the general condition (runny nose, vomiting, lethargy, etc.);
• postoperative period (first week).

In such cases, wiping the child with a damp cloth or a soft towel moistened with warm water is shown.

dangerous moments

Parents need to remember that bathing can become dangerous, lead to a fatal outcome in case of inattention and negligence. To avoid unpleasant moments, you must remember:

• Preparation of water at the desired temperature should be carried out in advance, without the child being in the bath. It is always necessary to check the water intended for pouring in order to avoid burns. Boiling water should not be near where water procedures are carried out!
• Today, the use of various bathing devices has become common, they are not a guarantee of the safety of the child, so the child should not be left unattended for a minute!
• Two adults must bathe the child. You can not leave the baby under the supervision of younger children!
• At the end of water procedures, when the baby is turned on his stomach, it is necessary to ensure that he does not swallow water. To do this, the baby is lifted above the water level, then gently turned on its stomach, so that it is located on the adult's arm, slightly bent at the elbow joint. At the same time, the helping adult secures and pours warm water from the ladle.
• Bathing an infant with an adult or other children is contraindicated, as there is a risk of infection or injury.
• After transferring the baby to the changing table for further manipulations (treatment of the umbilical wound, skin, dressing), it must not be left unattended!

First aid

If force majeure occurs during bathing, you must not panic and adhere to the following recommendations:

	Clinical manifestations	What to do?
Water got into the ears	Maybe anxiety in the presence of inflammatory processes.	The baby should be taken out of the bath onto the changing table. Turn on the barrel so that the water that has got in can come out, then wipe the ear with a cotton flagellum made. Remember not to use: cotton buds, sharp objects, etc.
Water got into your eyes	May cry if exposed to soapy water.	Dry with a cotton swab.
Chemical burn of the eyes with potassium permanganate crystals	Scream, cry, blush.	It is necessary to rinse the affected eye with plenty of water and immediately consult a specialist.
child swallowed water	There is no violation of the general condition.	Assistance is not required if there is no violation of vital parameters.
Child choked on water	The child's eyes are frightened, and the mouth is wide open. If the skin is pale or red, the water has not entered the lungs. In the case of bluish skin color, water is in the bronchi and lungs. Absence of breath.	Do not panic! Remove the infant from the water immediately. Turn your head down, shake slightly or lightly pat in the interscapular region. Call an ambulance! If breathing has not been restored before the arrival of the doctors, carry out artificial respiration "mouth to mouth".
contact with boiling water	Scream, cry. Possible loss of consciousness. Local hyperemia of the burn site, blistering.	Remove the baby from the water, pour cold water over the burn site, apply a sterile bandage with a solution of furacilin or cool water. Urgently contact a specialist.
allergic reactions	Asphyxia attacks, skin rashes in the form of urticaria. The risk of developing Quincke's edema.	Avoid contact with the allergen. Contact a specialist for antiallergic treatment.

Newborn hygiene when bathing is contraindicated

There are situations when bathing is contraindicated, then the following methods of maintaining the frequency of the skin are used:

Hardening and bathing

It is considered erroneous to think that hardening is only dousing with cold water. Pouring, bathing in the bathroom, ponds, sponging, air baths, walking barefoot are methods of improving health.

Bathing is not only daily care and hygiene, but a type of hardening, which strengthens the child's immunity. Proper execution allows you to avoid frequent viral and colds.

Hardening must be carried out against the background of the complete health of the baby. First, the water temperature is + 37°C, then after 3-4 days it gradually decreases by 1°C. And also increases the time spent in the water of the child. In this case, one should observe the general condition (body temperature, absence of catarrhal symptoms, etc.).

Hardening should not be carried out in the following situations:

• if the child is sick;
• rash of various etiologies;
• vomiting and diarrhea;
• period of treatment;
• when switching to another type of feeding (from natural to mixed or artificial feeding);
• the introduction of complementary foods;
• before and after vaccination;
• change in climatic conditions.

Folk omens and bathing

Many parents adhere to the rules associated with folk signs at the same time, without thinking about whether this is good for the baby, or can cause trouble.

For example, it is believed that it is impossible to bathe babies on Sunday and Friday, or on the full moon, as misfortunes and illnesses will overtake him. Or you can wash the baby only after his baptism. However, as a rule, the child is baptized on the 40th day, which is not acceptable for refusing hygiene procedures and can provoke a number of pathological conditions (dermatitis, diaper rash, prickly heat, etc.).

Such hypotheses are not supported by scientific evidence, therefore, they are groundless and it makes no sense to deprive a child of bathing.

There are a number of rituals that do not negatively affect the health of the baby and their use is harmless, permissible at the request of the parents:

• the mother prepares the first water for bathing, in order to avoid the evil eye of the baby;
• a little holy water is added to the water so that troubles bypass the baby;
• water after bathing with holy water should not be poured into the sewer, but only under a tree - this will help release all the negative into the ground and give the child strength;
• so that the baby is not jinxed, several silver coins are thrown into the bath;
• after being taken out of the water, the baby must be wrapped in a towel three times to kiss and spit into the bath, so the baby will not have hydrophobia.

It is the right of parents to adhere to certain superstitions, however, one should take into account the fact of possible damage to the health of a small creature. It is necessary to rationally treat certain customs.

1102

How to bathe a newborn baby for the first time at home and at what time. What should be the temperature of the water. Step by step instructions on what to prepare.

The discharge from the maternity hospital is over, the baby and mother have arrived home. Since that time, young parents begin a new stage of life, full of endless worries about the child, anxiety, worries. The first serious test that young parents must pass is bathing the baby. The child is so small that it's scary to even touch him, let alone bathe. Older relatives (grandparents) can come to the aid of a young family in such a situation, but often they also do not know what to do with the baby. What herbs to bathe in? How long? Whether to use a sponge. What should you start with?

bathing time

The baby should take the first bath on the first day of discharge after the hospital. Exceptions may be cases when contact with water is contraindicated by doctors (after vaccinations, procedures in the maternity hospital).

The time for swimming must be selected individually. Traditionally, it is customary to bathe children in the evening before going to bed, but for some babies, water acts as an energy booster. The child after water procedures looks cheerful, wants to play, not sleep. In this case, it is worth bathing the newborn in the morning.

There are no clear rules as to when it is worth feeding the child - before or after bathing. On the one hand, it is difficult to bathe when full, a newborn child tends to sleep after eating, on the other hand, a hungry child begins to get nervous, act up, a bath will not bring him pleasure and water procedures will end very quickly.

Parents will have to empirically find a comfortable time for bathing the child. and solve the problem with his feeding. If the baby is constantly naughty in the bathroom, the water does not calm him down, but rather excites him, it is worth choosing another time.

From personal experience

What is "to bathe a hungry child" we understood already on the first evening. The child was breastfed and always fell asleep on the chest, so at the family council it was decided to bathe the baby hungry. In the evening, the child was undressed and solemnly carried into his bath. We have not heard so many children's cries, probably, for the entire first year of life. Water procedures ended when there was no more strength to endure the continuous cry. In the future, before bathing, the child was fed a little, then supplemented and went to bed. There were no more tantrums in the bathroom.

What to cook

For bathing a newborn you need:

• baby bath;
• thermometer for water;
• soap, shampoo (not necessary in the first months);
• diaper;
• ladle;
• soft sponge (cotton pads);
• herbal infusions and other supplements (chamomile, string) according to the doctor's indications, but not for prevention;
• towel and baby clothes.

We select the temperature, prepare the water

For bathing a child, you need to choose the right temperature. It is worth considering the temperature of water and air in the bathroom. The baby should be bathed at 34-37 degrees, the temperature in the bathroom should not exceed 22 degrees. In the maternity hospital, it is recommended to start from 36-37 degrees and gradually reduce to 34. You can also start hardening procedures from the first days of life, in this case we reduce the water temperature to 30 and even to 25-26 degrees, but gradually we monitor the well-being of a particular child.

Special preparation of water for the child is not required. Before use, water must be boiled and cooled to the desired temperature, only if you doubt its quality. In urban conditions, the water has already passed through all the filters. There is another option - if the umbilical wound has not yet healed, you can simply wipe the baby with a warm, damp towel. There is no need to boil the water afterwards.

Be careful, a solution of potassium permanganate, infusions and decoctions of herbs (string, oak bark, needles, chamomile, and others) can cause an allergic reaction or dry skin.

Let's start swimming

The baby is undressed and ready to swim, but do not rush. We need to give him time to lie naked. Air baths are very useful for young children, they harden the body.

Bathing in itself is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide to help parents:

1. fill the baby bath with water, cool it to the desired temperature, add (on the recommendation of a doctor) decoctions of herbs;
2. first, let the child touch the water with a foot, then carefully lower it into the bath. The head and neck of the child must be above the water;
3. gently wash the child;
4. wash your ears (water should not get into the ear itself, you need to wash the outside), arms, armpits, chest, sides;
5. wash the groin (the crotch of the girls should be gently wiped with a cotton swab, the boys should be washed outside, do not touch the foreskin!), gently rinse all the folds;
6. rinse the baby with clean water, remove from the bath.

The first bathing of the baby should not exceed - 5-8 minutes, then this time should be increased. At 1 month, water procedures can last 15 minutes, after a month - 30-40 minutes.

There is no strict need to bathe the child every day, as this can lead to dry skin. You can bathe the child once every 2-3 days. But bathing is not only hygiene, but also emotional, physical development, as well as an element of hardening. Therefore, the decision is yours.

After swimming

The washed child is wiped with a towel (without friction, the delicate skin of the child is enough just to get wet with a towel). You need to wipe the child from the head: first the hair, then the chest and back, folds.

There is no need to cover the ears with cotton wool, avoid getting water in the ears, or clean the baby's ears after bathing.

At normal room temperature, you do not need to wrap the child and wear a hat.

If necessary, the baby's folds can be smeared with a protective cream, and the umbilical wound can be treated.

Water procedures take a lot of energy from the child, so after bathing the child needs to be fed and put to bed (if you swam in the evening). A well-fed and tired child will fall asleep quickly and soundly.

To get rid of doubts, young parents should study all the subtleties bathing newborns.

Why bathe a child

Most parents believe that bathe the baby needed primarily for cleanliness. However, in addition to the hygienic component, regular water procedures have a wide impact on the body and the psycho-emotional state of the baby. So, bathing has the following properties:

Since the thermal conductivity of water is 30 times higher than the thermal conductivity of air, even a small one, 1-2 ° C, the difference between the temperature of the body and water is enough to achieve a powerful hardening effect, exceeding that of hardening in air baths. This effect will be enhanced by dousing the baby at the end of the bath with cool water with a temperature several degrees lower than that in which the bath was taken.

Bathing a newborn has a positive effect on the nervous system of the child and his psycho-emotional development. Moving from air to water and vice versa leads to the stimulation of many nerve receptors located in the skin. At the same time, training and regulation of the activity of various parts of the nervous system take place, a certain balance and optimization of their work are achieved. In addition, bathing provides a child with vivid emotions and impressions, which positively affects his intellectual development. The use of various water toys according to the age of the baby and short sessions with them in the water enhance this effect.

Improving the motor sphere of the child. It is more difficult to move in water than in air, due to its increased resistance. Throwing arms and legs, the child strengthens the muscles of his body, trains the heart, increases the strength of the respiratory muscles. The greatest effect can be achieved with bathing a newborn in the "adult" bath, where the child can more freely move his limbs and change the position of the body. It is very useful to perform small complexes of water gymnastics with the baby.

During bathing newborn loses a lot of strength and energy, which contributes to a good appetite and ensures sound sleep.

Being in water reduces or completely eliminates pain, which helps to calm the child, for example, when he is tormented by colic.

In the process of bathing, there is an additional emotional communication between the child and adults, which has a positive effect on the development of relationships between the baby and the people around him.

When can you bathe your baby?

According to the recommendations of domestic pediatricians, you can bathe a newborn already on the day of discharge from the hospital - if the BCG vaccination was given the day before, or the next day - if the BCG was given on the day of discharge. Up to this point, the child is simply washed several times a day after each stool. Bathing is contraindicated in any acute diseases accompanied by fever, as well as in the presence of pustular lesions of the skin.

Optimal time

The answer to this question depends both on the characteristics of the child and on the rhythm of life of the whole family. As a rule, children calm down and sleep soundly after water procedures, and therefore bathing is often carried out before one of the evening feedings. For those babies for whom bathing is exciting, the time of taking a bath can be moved to daytime and even morning hours. It is important that the procedure begins no earlier than one hour after eating and no later than 30-40 minutes before the next feeding.

What to bathe a newborn

Most convenient bathe the baby directly in the bathroom. The optimum temperature in the room where water procedures take place is 24–26 ° С. It is better to lay a rubber mat on a slippery tiled floor in advance, and set a clock on a shelf within sight in order to navigate in time.

The location of the baby bath should, above all, be convenient and open enough to allow an adult free access to the child. It should be noted that at present there are many different models of bathing trays on the market for every taste and budget. For example, bathtubs with double walls provide long-term maintenance of the water temperature at the initial level, and built-in temperature sensors help to control the temperature.

"Slides" are designed to help keep the baby in the bath, they are built-in or removable. It can be convenient to have a drain hose in the bath, thanks to which it will not be necessary to turn over a heavy bath to pour out the water - just open the drain.

There are even changing tables or chests of drawers that have a built-in bathing container. So that during the procedure the adult does not have to be in a half-bent position, special coasters for baths have been invented. Some of them are installed on the floor, while the bath is approximately at the level of an adult's belt. Others are placed on the sides of an adult bath. In both cases, you need to make sure that the bath is firmly fixed on the stand.

bath in which bathing child, it is necessary to wash with hot water and soap immediately before each procedure. If a child bathes in an adult bath, it is recommended to clean it with baking soda. While bathing, the door to the bathroom can be kept slightly ajar, of course, in the absence of a draft, so that too much steam will not accumulate in the bathroom. Then the subsequent transition of the child from the bathroom to the corridor will not be very abrupt.

Bathing water for a newborn

Currently, there is no need to boil water for bathing baby subject to the availability of centralized water supply. However, if you live outside the city and water is not supplied from centralized sources, boiling water is mandatory at least in the first month of a child's life. Minimal water disinfection is recommended until the umbilical wound is completely healed and the crust falls off: as a rule, this happens by the 2-3rd week of the child's life.

Potassium permanganate solution is usually used for disinfection. Potassium permanganate is diluted in a separate container until a saturated solution is obtained, which is then filtered through a three-layer gauze to prevent undissolved crystals from getting on the skin of the crumbs, which can lead to a chemical burn. The filtered solution is added to a bath of water until a pale pink hue is obtained.

Bathing a newborn with the addition of potassium permanganate causes dry skin, so it is no longer added as soon as the umbilical wound heals and the crust falls off.

Decoctions of herbs are also traditionally used as disinfectants - calendula, string, chamomile. To prepare the infusion, a glass of dry grass is poured with a liter of boiling water, after which it is infused for 3-4 hours. Then the resulting broth is filtered through a three-layer gauze and added to the bath. It is recommended to use decoctions of antiseptic herbs when prickly heat or diaper dermatitis appears on the skin of a child. If the baby's skin is healthy, there is no need to add herbs.

Optimal bathing temperature of the newborn is 36-37°C. It is recommended to use a thermometer to measure the water temperature. The so-called "elbow method", i.e. lowering the elbow of an adult into the water - while the water temperature should practically not differ from body temperature - is inaccurate due to the difference in subjective sensations when the air temperature and humidity in the room change.

In the "adult" bath, the water cools rather slowly. And when using a baby bath, it is better to control the temperature of the water with a thermometer throughout the process and add warm water if necessary. To obtain a hardening effect, the temperature of bathing water can be reduced by one degree in 7-10 days to 32-33°C.

To complete bathing a newborn useful for pouring cool water from a jug, ladle, etc. Bathing temperature of a newborn at the same time, it should be a couple of degrees lower than the one in which the child bathed, for example, 34–35 ° C, if bathing took place at a temperature of 37 ° C.

The very first bathing of the baby should not take more than 5-7 minutes. By 2-3 months, this time increases to 15 minutes, and by six months - up to 20 minutes.

For normal psycho-emotional and motor development and to improve the health of an infant, it is necessary to bathe daily. In the hot season, water procedures can be carried out twice a day to prevent overheating of the body and prevent prickly heat.

Hygiene products for children

At bathing a newborn it is better to use detergents designed specifically for this age category - there should be a corresponding note on the label.

We list some of them:

Baby soap - liquid, in the form of a gel or solid. Its main difference from conventional soaps is the minimum alkali content - pH neutrality. In this regard, baby soap does not cause unwanted drying and irritation of the skin. Bathing a newborn with baby soap or gel should be no more than 1 time per week, not counting regular washings. In the second half of life, when the child begins to actively crawl around the apartment, more frequent use of detergents is possible.

Shampoo. It is used from 2-4 weeks of age to wash the scalp of a child, as a rule, no more than 1 time per week. It should be noted that you can wash the baby's scalp with baby soap or bathing gel. To soften and remove gneiss - a seborrheic crust on the scalp - before using shampoo, you can use any natural vegetable oil.

How to bathe a newborn

The child is transferred to the bathroom, on the way telling him about the upcoming process. Immersion in the bath should be gradual, starting from the tips of the toes. An adult holds the head of the baby with his hand behind the back of the head (when the child is on his back) or under the chin - in the position on the stomach, which is possible when bathing in a large bath. If a small bath is used for bathing, special slides, removable or built-in, can be installed in it, which allow one person to manage the washing of the child.

To lather the baby, you can use a baby sponge or terry mitten, or you can soap the baby with your hand. First of all, the head is washed, which is then washed with gentle movements from the forehead to the back of the head. Then they soap the arms, legs, tummy, back, gently turning the crumbs over. At the end of bathing, the child is placed with his chest on the palm of an adult and rinsed with clean water from a jug or ladle. After that, the baby is wrapped with his head in a towel or a warm diaper and taken to the changing table for further wiping, processing and dressing. There is no need to worry if water gets into the baby's ears. To remove it, you can use thin cotton turundas - a little cotton rolled between the palms in the form of thin sausages, which are inserted into the external auditory meatus and removed after a few minutes.

After swimming

If the baby's skin is healthy, after bathing it is enough to blot it dry with a soft towel. In the presence of diaper rash, you can apply a healing cream, such as BEPANTEN. The appearance of dry skin in a healthy child is possible with physiological peeling, which disappears on its own by the end of the first month of life, as well as when using hot or too hard water for bathing, inappropriate washing detergent or using it too often.

To eliminate this phenomenon, after the bath, a baby cream or milk is used. Dry skin can also be a symptom of various diseases, such as atopic dermatitis. In this case, the use of moisturizers after bathing is mandatory, best of all - in accordance with the recommendations of the attending physician.

In conclusion, I would like to note that the process of bathing should take place against the background of a positive emotional response of the child: only in this case all the effects that we talked about at the beginning are achieved. If the baby has negative emotions, first of all, the adults themselves need to tune in to the positive and analyze the entire bathing process. Maybe the time of the procedure or the temperature of the water is not suitable for the child, the light is too bright, or the sound of water from the tap scares him. It is necessary to understand this and create individual, suitable bathing conditions for the baby.