Bathing a newborn baby for the first time after the hospital. What time is better to bathe a baby and how to bathe a newborn baby for the first time What to bathe a newborn baby for the first time

When can and should I bathe a newborn after the hospital? Should I do it immediately after discharge or is it better to wait? Similar questions worry young mothers. Bathing a baby is a daily, necessary procedure that not only helps to cleanse the skin, but also sets the baby up for a night's sleep. This article will discuss what to do and how to properly bathe a child.

On what day after discharge to atone

A frequent question of young mothers: when should the first bath of a newborn after the maternity hospital take place? The basic rule is that water procedures can be carried out only after the umbilical wound has healed.

Although doctors do not prohibit bathing after discharge, the presence of a wound can complicate the process, so it is better to wait. Otherwise, infection may occur. After healing, the risk of infection completely disappears, and the baby can be happily sent on its first voyage.

Ideally, until the umbilical wound is completely healed, protect this area from contact with water, keep it constantly dry and periodically ventilate. It is better to fold the diaper so that diaper rash does not occur.

If there really is a need to bathe a baby, then the bath should be pre-washed with soda, it is better to use boiled water, adding a few crystals of potassium permanganate to it.

On the other hand, if you postpone bathing procedures for 2-3 weeks, you can do with the usual washing under running water, wet wipes (without abusing them) and cotton pads soaked in water.

Interesting. There is a superstition that boys should not be bathed until the third week, but this is only superstition.

Basic rules for the first bath

How should a newborn baby be washed for the first time? In fact, there is nothing complicated, you will need to prepare in advance and follow the basic rules:

  • The bath or a special small bath should be well washed with a hypoallergenic product. Regular baking soda works well. After washing, everything is thoroughly washed off with water;
  • The water temperature for bathing a newborn baby should be around 33-34 degrees. If you don't have a thermometer, you can use the old effective method - dip your own elbow into the water. If the sensations are normal, you can lower the baby;
  • You don't need to take a lot of water. Maximum quantity 2/3 bathroom;
  • A circle is pre-inflated around the neck (if any). The child undresses on a changing table or other flat surface. In no case should you undress the baby on weight;
  • The neck circle is put on neatly, raising the head. It will be better if both parents do this;
  • For the first bath, the baby is enough for 5 minutes. Gradually, the time of taking water procedures can be increased to 10-15 minutes;
  • A towel or diaper to wrap the baby after the bath is prepared in advance;
  • Mom should wash her hands before bathing, remove all jewelry. It is better to cut your nails short so as not to accidentally damage the delicate baby skin.

How is the procedure carried out:

  • For the first time, you can immerse the child in some water right in the clothes, so he will get used to it faster;
  • Immerse the baby in water slowly until the liquid is at chest level;
  • The head should lie on the forearm or on a special slide stand;
  • With her free hand, the mother can pour water on the child;
  • They usually start washing from the head, smoothly moving to the body. It is not necessary to use shampoo at first;
  • All folds are washed well. The groin and buttocks are washed thoroughly and carefully.

How to choose the time for the first bath

The optimal time for bathing a baby is in the evening, before going to bed, but before he has eaten. Why exactly? Water procedures before going to bed help the baby calm down, throw out the rest of the energy, and fall asleep peacefully after dinner.

However, this issue should be considered from an individual standpoint. Some children only get more excited from water and completely refuse to sleep afterwards. In this case, the bath is taken in the morning or afternoon.

Approximately the same situation is with feeding and bathing. Parents will have to decide for themselves what is best for the baby. Some can swim, eat, then sleep peacefully. Others, if they are not fed, begin to cry, and then there can be no question of any bath.

bath time for baby

In the early stages, the baby does not need to splash for a long time. How long can a baby be kept in water?

Babies have five minutes to lie in a pleasant warm water, chat with their legs and arms. Gradually, this time can be increased to 15 minutes by adding bright toys to the water and taking a bubble bath, but this is only by 3-4 months.

Preparing to bath your newborn for the first time

How to bathe a baby for the first time? First you need to prepare everything you need. What will be required:

  • Baby bath;
  • Slide, circle around the neck or hammock;
  • Thermometer;
  • Diaper or terry towel;
  • Bath cosmetics for children.

If necessary, you can prepare herbal decoctions and add them to the bath. Chamomile, lavender are good. They soothe the child's psyche, take care of the baby's skin. The use of washcloths is not necessary, but you can stock up on special ones for children, they are very soft, fabric or sponge.

What else do you need to know:

  • To rinse the baby from the soap solution, it is better to stock up on a ladle with warm, clean water;
  • For wiping, it is not necessary to buy a special children's towel with a hood. An ordinary adult will do. The main thing is that it is clean, soft and absorbs moisture well;
  • On the changing table, the necessary cosmetics and products for the baby are prepared in advance. Children's skin after a bath can be smeared with cream, special oil. Sunflower is suitable, the main thing is to sterilize it first;
  • You should also take care of the materials for the treatment of the umbilical wound. We need cotton wool, hydrogen peroxide, brilliant green;
  • The final element is a diaper, a clean diaper and clothes.

What you need for the first bath at home

What kind of baby cosmetics is needed for bathing a baby after the hospital? There is a large line of well-known Johnson Baby cosmetics. Most creams and oils are suitable for babies from the first days of life. Experts recommend oils with the addition of lavender decoction, they soothe the baby and care for the skin.

Important! New creams or oils should be used with great care. Even specialized cosmetics can cause irritation and an allergic reaction. If the baby has a rash, the use of the product should be discontinued.

In addition to the fact that the products must be hypoallergenic, they must also be safe. A baby can always accidentally swallow soap suds.

For rubbing the skin after bathing, ordinary sterilized sunflower oil is best suited. To do this, a jar of liquid is placed in boiling water for several minutes. After sterilization, the oil must be allowed to cool.

Bathing your baby in water with herbal decoctions is advised by most doctors and grandmothers. A series, chamomile, lavender, nine forces really have a positive effect on the children's body, but such baths should also be approached with caution.

Before taking full-fledged baths with herbs, it is worth checking for the absence of allergic reactions. It is enough just to wipe the baby's skin with a cotton swab or disc with herbal decoction and watch the day.

If there are no rashes, then everything is in order. But even in this case, you should not make too steep a decoction. No more than 2-3 teaspoons of dried herbs are steamed per bath.

Preparation of water for the first bath of a newborn

Bathing a newborn for the first time after the hospital does require thorough preparation. Especially if the parents are not going to wait until the umbilical wound is completely healed. Water must be of a certain temperature, clean and without additional impurities.

After some time, after about 2-3 months, most of the daily preparations can be eliminated. The process of taking a bath will become easier and more fun for both the baby and the parents themselves. However, in the first 4 weeks after birth, compliance with established procedures is mandatory.

Do I need to boil water for bathing?

You need to boil water for bathing only if the navel is not yet overgrown. Previously, after cutting off the umbilical cord, a special clothespin was attached to it, and the issue of bathing was approached much more simply. They don't do it now. The wound is left to grow on its own.

Important! When potassium permanganate is added, the water should acquire a pale pink hue. Do not overdo it with the substance, it can adversely affect children's skin.

Water temperature for the first swim

The issue of temperature should be approached thoroughly. The optimal temperature for the baby is 33-34 degrees. Over time, the temperature will need to be lowered. This promotes hardening. Since bathing in the first months does not last too long, the water will not have time to cool.

Care should be taken that the water temperature is not too high. If the degree exceeds 35-36, this can result in overheating and a burn on the baby's skin. How can you tell if the water is too hot for a baby? The skin turns red, the child becomes lethargic. On the other hand, if the bath is too cold, the baby will begin to clench his fists, the skin will become pale, the lips will turn blue.

The temperature in the bathroom also matters. It should be within 23-22 degrees. It is better not to close the door in the room so that it is not too stuffy.

Do I need to add something to the water

You can add baby cosmetics or herbs to the liquid. However, this is not necessary in the first 4 weeks of a child's life. You can start adding decoctions to the water from the second month. If the baby has skin problems (diaper rash, sweating), then periodic baths with a string or chamomile will benefit.

What to do after swimming

So, the bathing of the child after the hospital is completed, the baby is wrapped in a cozy warm towel. What to do next? If water procedures are carried out in the evening, then the baby should be prepared for bed. What should be done:

  • Treat the umbilical wound with hydrogen peroxide and brilliant green. According to doctors, this procedure should be carried out until the peroxide stops foaming upon contact with the skin. If this happened, it means that the wound has already completely healed;
  • Rub the folds of the arms, legs, neck and groin with oil or baby cream. Powder will do;
  • Put on a clean diaper, clothes, swaddle the baby;
  • Put a cap or hat on the head so that the baby does not freeze after bathing;
  • Feed and swing.

After that, as a rule, the child falls asleep soundly. It is best to spend some time next to the sleeping child. You can play classical music.

If the baby cries after a bath

Bathing newborns after a maternity hospital is a simple matter, but what if, after a bath, the baby begins to act up or even cry loudly?

First of all, you should find out the reason. It is unlikely that the baby did not like it, or he was scared. It's most likely a matter of conditions. What could be the main reasons:

  • The water is too cold or hot. Babies are very picky about water temperature. Therefore, you should first make sure that it is suitable;
  • The child is hungry. In this case, it is better to put the child to the breast as soon as possible or give him a bottle;
  • The baby wants to sleep. True signs of this are rubbing the eyes, yawning. In addition, baseless crying, rejection of favorite toys;
  • Pain in the abdomen. In this case, you can give the child a massage, stroke it on the tummy;
  • It's just naughty. Normal behavior for children. The child may simply cry because he needs attention, or he is not in the mood.

In any of the cases, parents should not panic and give up water procedures for many months. It is worth trying just to shake the baby, feed and caress.

This article looked at how to bathe a newborn baby for the first time at home. The procedure is really simple, in a couple of months the mother will be able to do everything with her “eyes closed”. By that time, the grown-up baby will be able to sincerely enjoy the process, splashing water around him and laughing at the foam flakes flying up and having fun with his favorite toys.

Video

Greetings! The magician Azal is with you, and today we are discussing the first bath of a newborn. I will tell you how to bathe a newborn for the first time at home in a bath according to folk traditions and customs, how to do it correctly and conveniently.

I will share with you the ceremony for the first bathing of the baby in herbs and discuss in detail the bathing of the baby as a hygienic procedure. In addition, from the article you will learn why they give silver spoons for children and how to use them with tangible benefits.

Why is the first bath of a newborn after birth the most important

The first bath of a newborn is seemingly a common hygiene procedure, butwhy is it so important? It is important, because in the first time after birth, the so-called “space of options” or “fate” is formed, the main roads of the life of a little man are laid.

At this stage, with the help of simple time-tested rituals, you can direct the child to a better life path. I will share one of these rituals with you today, and it is carried out as part of the first bath of a baby.

This is a centuries-old merchant's traditional rite of the first bathing in herbs. It really isn't difficult at all. This ritual is performed by parents in order to attract various blessings into the life of the child and increase them in the fate of the child - this is a purchase for a happy life.

Why do I give the merchant rite? This is exactly the version of the ritual I performed for my son. And the “recipe” of the rite is generic, my grandmother gave it to me.

Children's silver spoons for children - why, why and why they are given

In the old days, almost all rituals differed from estate to estate in terms of the necessary “ingredients”, although the principle could be the same. It is explained simply. If for a merchant it was a feasible task to give a silver spoon for children, then for a commoner it was impossible.

A commoner will replace a spoon with a wooden one, and coins with wheat, and the royal family can afford a golden children's spoon.

Silver spoons for children were given among the merchant class. These spoons were often named, with an engraving. They were widely used in traditional ceremonies for a successful, rich and happy life (“so as not to remain hungry”), starting with the rite of the first bath.

After this ceremony, a children's silver spoon became a special personal item. It is known that if you knock with such a spoon on the baby's first erupted tooth, then the rest of the child's teeth will grow painlessly, will be healthy and beautiful.

It was with such a spoon that the baby was fed when he fell ill - it was believed that it would contribute to his speedy recovery.

The ritual of the first bath of a newborn

For the ceremony, it is necessary to prepare some of its components in advance. Below I will list everything you need.

  1. "Living" water- this is spring water, water from a natural well (not bulk!) or underground sources. The best option that our ancestors used is spring water, “spring water”. For the first bath of my child, I bought drinking water from an Artesian well.
  2. Decoction of herbs- succession, chamomile, elecampane root, lovage. I will tell you how to properly prepare a decoction of these herbs.
  3. Mother's milk- this magical ingredient was added in a small amount to the water for bathing the child, so that the child would grow up healthy and "so that the skin was white."
  4. Natural bee honey- you need 1 teaspoon of honey per bath, “so that money sticks” and “so that life is sweet.”
  5. silver coinof any worth - 1 piece or covered with coins the entire bottom of the baby bath for bathing so that the child's life is comfortable. One coin from the rite was always kept as a money talisman and a magnet. If there were a lot of coins, then the rest could then participate in rituals to attract money - they work much more strongly. The growing merchant began to trade with one of these coins - this provided him with success in his undertaking and further prosperity.
  6. silver spoonfor a child - before bathing, such a spoon was put to the baby “on the tooth” (in the mouth), “so that life is full” and so that the teeth erupt painlessly.
  7. White diaper for a girl or a white shirt for a boy- girls were traditionally lowered into the water in a white diaper, “so that the skin was white”, and boys were bathed in a white shirt, “so that they were a protector”.

There were some variations of the rite depending on the family. For example, in royal families, bathing coins were taken from gold, and a commoner could afford a copper coin.

Farmers added an ear of wheat to the water for bathing a child, blacksmiths added a small hammer, etc. In some families, it was also customary to put tribal artifacts into the water.

With the advent of Christianity, it became customary to put a cypress cross in a bath (or other container where a baby was bathed). This cross then participated in the rite of baptism, wedding and was worn as a pectoral by a child all his life. He was considered a particularly strong protective amulet.


Be careful - the cross must be cypress. It is impossible to replace such a cross with a silver or gold one at the first bath - this will bring misfortune to the child and doom him to a difficult fate.

How to bathe a newborn for the first time

First-born parents often have a lot of “technical” questions about bathing a newborn baby in general. For them, it seems all the more difficult to observe the ritual part of the procedure.

As a dad, it only seems difficult just because you're doing it for the first time. After several similar water procedures, you will “adapt” to your child, and the child to you, and everything will go like clockwork.

I will answer here only the most frequent questions about bathing a newborn baby as a hygiene procedure.

When can I bathe a newborn after the hospital

They bathe, if possible, on the same day when the baby was discharged from the hospital, or at least the next.

Is it possible to bathe a newborn with a clothespin on the navel

Need! They bathe without paying attention to the clothespin. Just don't touch this clothespin while swimming and that's it. Your task is to wipe the entire skin of the child with a soft sponge and clean all the folds on the baby's body. It is most convenient to use a cosmetic cellulose sponge for bathing - it is the most gentle.

What is the temperature for bathing a newborn for the first time

The water temperature for bathing a baby should be within 37-38 degrees, the air temperature should be at least 22 degrees.


Even though this water temperature is the most comfortable for the body, immerse the child in water gradually, starting with the feet. In this case, the baby will not be afraid of a sharp change in the environment and will not cry.

Please note that drafts are not allowed in the water treatment room.

How long to bathe a newborn

The procedure usually takes 5-10 minutes. This time is enough to completely wash the baby and wipe all the folds of his body. Constantly monitor the temperature of the water with a thermometer and have hot water on hand to top up as needed.

In boiled water or not to bathe a newborn

I know that many, out of a desire to do everything in the best way, boil water for bathing a baby, and that many cautious experts advise doing just that. I also know that the desire to boil water for bathing usually disappears by the end of the first month, because you come to the logical conclusion that such a precaution is pointless.

Is it possible to bathe a newborn in potassium permanganate

It is possible, some doctors advise bathing the baby in a weak solution of manganese - a very pale pink water. But if the navel heals normally, does not fester and does not bleed, and there is no inflammation or severe diaper rash on the child’s skin, then it does not make sense to add potassium permanganate to the water. Bathe in normal water and treat your navel immediately after bathing.

Pay attention - potassium permanganate, even in a weak concentration, dries the skin very noticeably. A crystal undissolved in water will cause a burn or irritation, especially on the mucous membrane.

When to bathe a newborn - before or after feeding

Before or after feeding, bathing a newborn is not a matter of principle. It will be more convenient to carry out bathing and dressing procedures, and then give the baby a well-deserved “super prize” in the form of a mother’s breast. In this case, after feeding, the child will fall asleep in a heroic sleep, and the mother will be able to have a good rest for several hours.

What is the best way to bathe a newborn?

From experience I will say that it is more convenient to bathe a newborn in an anatomical bath with a changing pad and shelves for storing small items. I have a baby bath like the one in the picture.


Here I will tell about it. Its obvious and most valuable advantages are as follows:

  • carefully protects the lower back of a bathing adult;
  • the child in the anatomical bath can be simply put, easily holding the head to the side with one hand during the bathing process;
  • you can keep everything you need for swimming near at hand;
  • convenient when the bath is in the child's room;
  • it is convenient to drain water through the built-in hose into the bucket;
  • The slinger is also a very handy device.

I see only one drawback in such a bath - it occupies a certain place in the house. For small-sized premises, this can be a decisive argument, but you must admit that this design has much more advantages.

When not to bathe a newborn baby

Do not bathe the child on the day of vaccination and at a body temperature above 38 degrees. In addition, according to popular belief, babies are not bathed on Friday and Sunday.

Conditions for bathing a baby

There are several simple conditions of the rite of the first bathing. Compliance with them will help you protect your child from difficulties and troubles in his life.

  • The first bath is not carried out according to customs on Friday, Sunday. It is also a very bad sign to bathe during a solar eclipse, moonless (29th lunar day) or a “blood moon” (when the moon is reddish in the sky, which happens quite rarely).
  • Apart from the parents of the newborn, no one else should be present at the first bath. The presence of even the closest relatives - grandparents is prohibited.
  • Water after the first bath is poured by the mother (if a girl was bathed) or father (if a boy was bathed) into the sewer or under a tree. Any further use of this water is unacceptable.
  • After the first bath, the silver spoon and the coin are kept by the parents until the conscious age of the child, and then transferred to him for safekeeping. It is believed that if you steal such a spoon or a coin from a person, then at the same time you can steal his fate, his luck and happiness.


How to bathe a newborn baby for the first time

So, let's start bathing the baby. We are all set:

  • the bath is washed with soda and is already standing with “live” water of the desired temperature, to which honey, mother's milk, a coin and a decoction of herbs are added (for preparing a decoction, see this article - “Herbs for bathing a newborn");
  • proofreading text (I gave the necessary proofreading in the same article about bathing in herbs);
  • silver spoon - now, before bathing, pour boiling water over the spoon, put it in the baby’s mouth for a couple of seconds with the words “To the tooth” and then put it in the bath too;
  • a white diaper for a girl or a shirt for a boy;
  • a towel, a diaper and clean clothes for the baby, which you will put on after bathing.

Please note - during the first bath, do not use any cosmetic products for the hygiene of the baby (neither soap, nor gel, nor shampoo, etc.).

Mom and dad undress the child, put a diaper (or shirt) on him and gently immerse him in the bath. One of the parents washes the child, and the other pronounces the text of the proofreading.

After bathing, the diaper (or shirt) is left in the bath, the child is pulled out, wrapped in a towel and allowed to dry in a towel. At this time, you can feed the baby.

After the baby is dry, you can apply a cream or oil on the skin and dress him. Mom or dad pour the water out of the tub. Everything, now the first bathing of a newborn can rightfully be considered successfully carried out.


This concludes the article. If you have any questions about how to bathe a newborn for the first time, ask them in the comments - I will definitely answer. Subscribe to site updates so as not to miss the latest publications. Sincerely, Azal, author of articles and owner of the site “

Bathing in a large bath contributes to the healthy growth of your baby, vivacity, activity and good mood. It is better to start this procedure a couple of weeks after childbirth. Then you will have enough strength for classes, and the child's navel will heal. And until this moment, you can do with a baby bath.

It is important to choose the right time for a more comfortable bathing baby. It is believed that it is better to do this in the period before the last feeding. It is assumed that from water procedures the child should be a little tired, cold and hungry. Then immediately after the bath, the baby will eat with appetite and calmly go to bed. Do not forget that there are always exceptions. For some children, swimming in a large bath has the opposite effect - excitement and unwillingness to sleep. Therefore, adjust as accurately as possible to the temperament of your baby and choose your own time for swimming.

It is necessary to prepare the bath before bathing the baby. First, clean it with baking soda, rinse with boiling water, then with hot water. This procedure must be carried out once a week, and on other days, wipe the bath with just a damp cloth (you can use laundry soap).

It is not worth specially boiling water for bathing the baby, draw it from the tap. Never add disinfectants to the water. Water can get into the mouth and eyes of the baby. Potassium permanganate can cause burns, and herbs can cause allergic reactions. Although I sometimes add string and bischofite (baby sea salt) to the water, which are sold in pharmacies and children's stores.

What you need for bathing a baby:

Rubber floor mat. It is necessary for an adult so that he does not slip and fall.

Thermometer for water.

Dry clean diapers. After bathing the baby should not be wiped dry, but wet. A diaper is a priority here than a towel, as it absorbs moisture better and does not irritate baby's skin.

Clean clothes in which the child will not be shackled, a cap and a vest.

Cotton swabs, swabs, oil and powder. Use cotton swabs to remove any remaining water from the ears. Tampons soaked in baby oil will lubricate the wrinkles on the baby's body. If the skin is irritated, use baby powder.

Bandage or gauze. Use a bandage or gauze to wipe your baby's eyes. In no case do not resort to the help of cotton wool. The villi can get under the eyelid, and then it will be extremely difficult to pull it out.

If the navel still needs to be processed, then after the bath you will need a pipette, http://subscribe.ru/advert

the bathroom can come in handy with a clock to control the time of bathing, and toys.

The ideal water temperature is 36-37 degrees. Whether it suits the baby, you can understand by his reaction. If the child, after immersing in water, having swum a little, began to actively flounder with his legs and arms to warm himself, but at the same time does not act up, then the temperature suits him. If you want to harden and improve your baby, then gradually lower the water temperature (half a degree per week, from 37 to 35 degrees). It is recommended to swim in such water for 5 to 15 minutes. Further lowering is done only after consulting a pediatrician.

While bathing, it is better to keep the bathroom door open so as not to cause a difference in air humidity. This can lead to congestion in children's ears.

How to bathe a baby in a large tub

By the time the baby arrives, caring parents must have bought everything they need, including a baby bath with all the necessary accessories. But the question of when it will be possible to bathe a child in a large bathroom may appear from the very first days of the baby's stay at home. Especially if the family lives in a small apartment, and a lot of items acquired with the birth of the baby create certain inconveniences.

When can I bathe a child in a large bath

Bathing the crumbs is a daily procedure that is best done before evening feeding. When bathing, especially in a large bathtub, the child spends a lot of energy, which will provide a better appetite and better sleep. But what is the best way to bathe a newborn, in a special baby bath or in a large bath right away? Advice on this matter varies, and there is no exact limit when you can bathe a child in a large bathroom:

How to properly bathe a baby in a large tub

Of course, before bathing a month-old baby in a large bathtub, it is necessary to wash and brush the bathtub itself with soda or laundry soap.

  1. The undressed baby is carefully lowered into the water. First the legs, and then the whole body.
  2. If the baby is not naughty and everything suits him, you can start some exercises in the water. Up to 3 months, these are usually four simple procedures:
  • swimming on the back, when the mother holds the child's head from below by the back of the head;
  • sitting position, the mother also holds the child’s head, and his legs are bent, and he seems to be sitting;
  • swimming on the tummy, the mother holds the baby by the chin;
  • "eight", in the position on the back or tummy, the baby, while swimming, describes the eight along the perimeter of the bathroom;
  1. In order to harden the child, after bathing, pour over the crumbs with water 1 - 2 degrees cooler than in the bathroom. To do this, before immersing the baby in the bathroom, draw water into a jug or ladle, and while you are bathing the baby, the water will cool to the required temperature.
  2. Do not use soap or other detergents for children every time. This will dry out delicate skin and cause irritation. It is enough to bathe the child with soap once every 7-10 days.
  3. It is worth bathing the baby with a special baby washcloth made of natural hypoallergenic material, which will gently cleanse the delicate skin and will not damage it.
  4. Bathing water temperature should be between 27 - 38 degrees. At the first bathing 37 - 38 degrees. Subsequently, the temperature should be lowered by 1 degree, reaching 27 degrees.

Bathing is a useful general strengthening procedure that will help the child quickly adapt to the new environment and strengthen the baby's immunity. It is important to remember that you can not leave the crumbs alone for one second! Bathing is another great opportunity to spend time with the whole family with great benefits for the little one.

Rules for bathing a newborn in a large bath

One of the first questions about bathing newborns is is it possible to bathe a baby in a large bath or is it necessary to buy a baby bath?

When can I start bathing a newborn in a large tub

Let's start with the fact that, in general, the baby needs to be bathed every day, starting from the day of arrival home from the hospital. If the baby was vaccinated against tuberculosis on the day of discharge, start bathing the next day. This refers to bathing, not washing with soap and shampoo. It is enough to use baby hygiene detergents a couple of times a week, you do not need to lather the baby every day.

There are several opinions about bathing in an "adult" bath.

Some advise not to bathe the baby in a shared bathroom until it heals. umbilical wound. Its healing can take about a month. At this time, the baby is advised to bathe in boiled water to avoid infection. Agree that it is difficult to boil water for a large bathroom, especially if you do it every day.

Another popular belief is that the baby can start bathing in a large bath after he learns to do it himself. sit.

In addition, some experts do not set any restrictions for water procedures in a large bathroom from the very beginning. first bath baby.

Rules for bathing a baby in a large bath

Firstly, before each bathing the crumbs, you need a bath wash. You should not use various chemical cleaning agents for this, the usual soda and brush.

Of course, it will not work to boil water for a large bathroom, but the water should be as large as possible. clean. Therefore, if you do not have a water filter installed, with the advent of the baby you will have to acquire one.

You should not take a full bath of water, the shoulders and head of the baby should be visible above its surface.

When bathing in a large bathroom, you need to use various devices that simplify the process and increase its safety: a swimming slide, a hammock, a circle, special caps, and so on.

It is better that two adults bathe the baby - one should hold the baby, the other should wash.

How to prepare a baby bath

As mentioned above - before each bathing the crumbs, the bath should be washed with soda.

Prepare a large soft towel made of natural material, as well as things in which you will dress the baby after bathing, baby cream or oil, powder.

You can start swimming.

What should be the temperature of the air in the room and water

While bathing the baby in the bathroom should be warm - about 23 degrees. But at the same time, there should not be a large temperature difference between the bathroom and the rest of the apartment. In no case should there be drafts.

The water temperature for bathing babies should be about 37 degrees. It can be checked with a water thermometer. Over time, the temperature is recommended to gradually lower to 30 degrees.

To be honest, the question of when a child can be bathed in a large bath is usually asked only by young mothers, probably due to their inexperience. Because parents with experience who have already raised more than one child know the answer to it exactly. For the most part, the presence of a baby bath and bathing the baby in it is necessary for parents, for their convenience, rather than for the baby. The baby with no less pleasure will take water procedures in a large bath, and all the talk and arguments about the need for bathing newborns in a baby bath are groundless.

When can a baby be bathed in a large tub?

The answer to this question is very simple - you can bathe your baby in a large, adult bath from birth.

There is nothing wrong if the child immediately begins to get used to the space around him, on the contrary, most children like to bathe, swim and splash in a large bath. You just need to follow a few simple rules, however, you must adhere to them, regardless of whether you are bathing a child in a baby or a large bath.

Here's what to look out for.

Cleanliness and disinfection. Previously, newborns were allowed to bathe only after the umbilical wound had healed and the umbilical cord had fallen off. But recently, the rules that the WHO dictates to us have changed somewhat and now it is allowed to bathe the baby from the very first days of his life.

Based on this, first of all, you need to take care of the quality and purity of the water in which you will bathe the child. To do this, it is enough to boil it, which, however, given the volume of a large bath, and, accordingly, the water that will have to be boiled is not very convenient. Or you can simply add a solution of potassium permanganate to the bathing water, which is better to prepare in advance. To prepare the solution, take a jar (volume is not important) with warm water and dissolve 5-7 crystals in it. After the crystals are completely dissolved, cover the jar with gauze folded in several layers and pour the required amount into the bath so that a slightly pink solution is obtained. Do not forget to mix well, after which you can proceed directly to bathing the newborn.

As for the cleanliness of the bath itself, it will be enough to wash it with a good cleaning agent, rinse it thoroughly, and then pour boiling water over the bath.

Convenience and safety. Bathing the baby should be safe, so take care in advance that the bathroom floor is not slippery, and all things necessary for bathing and a towel are at hand. Now it will be enough for you to support the baby's head above the water with your hand, or, for greater convenience, you can purchase a special baby bathing circle or a special stand.

When a child grows up a little, it will become much more difficult to follow him, because children are interested in everything that happens around. Especially their attention is attracted by the mosaic tiles in the bathroom, which they try to touch, lather, lather, wipe. Naturally, for this they have to get up, and you, accordingly, be ready, since it costs nothing to slip a child in the bathroom.

Saving. If this aspect is important to you, then of course, the moment when the child can be bathed in a large bath is better to move to a later date. Since the water consumption in a large bath will be much greater than in a small baby bath.

Shared bathing. Many mothers are interested in whether it is possible to be in the bath with the baby? After all, it is much more convenient to hold it in your hands. But from the point of view of hygiene, this should not be done, although, for the sake of honesty, it should be noted that there were no cases to whom such bathing harmed.

When is the best time to bathe a baby?

Firstly, it must be said that it is desirable to turn the procedure for bathing a child into a daily ritual, which should be carried out at the same time.

It is most convenient and correct to bathe the child in the evening, just before bedtime. Water has a good effect on the child's body as a whole, helps to calm down and fall asleep quickly.

As for the temperature, you need to start from 37 degrees, it is considered the most comfortable for infants.

It is worth considering that the temperature of the water in a large bath will drop faster, and during the bath you will have to add warm water to it more than once. This must be done carefully and stirring constantly so as not to frighten or burn the baby.

As you can see, what really matters is not when a child can be bathed in a large bath, but that this process brings him pleasure and benefit, and you can do it quite well.

Bathing a child in a large bath: how and why it is needed

Nowadays, buying a baby bath is not particularly difficult, but many parents are thinking about bathing their newborn child in a large bath.

Why? It's not done for the sake of savings. In fact, everyone knows that swimming is one of the most beneficial exercises for a person. And kids are no exception. And since there is a tendency to arrange regular “swims” for them, then you need to understand all the intricacies of the procedure.

Let's talk about how to organize bathing a child in a large bath so that it brings the child and parents only pleasure and benefit.

First of all, we note one important point. As the famous and authoritative doctor Komarovsky says, one should distinguish between washing and bathing. The first is an exclusively hygienic procedure designed to cleanse the skin of the child from all existing contaminants.

Bathing the baby involves water procedures designed to strengthen his health and give positive emotions. Simply put, children in a large bath should be swimming, and not lying almost motionless while their mother washes them.

A big child will no longer be able to do this at home, the dimensions of both him and the bath will not allow, but it is quite possible to accustom a baby to such water procedures.

From this article you will learn

First swim

If you are determined to bathe your newborn baby in a large bath, remember that you should not do this in the first days of life. Let the baby acclimatize a little and wait until the umbilical wound heals.

Despite the fact that many doctors began to adhere to the opinion that it is not necessary to bathe a child in boiled water, it should not be risked. Our water quality leaves much to be desired, so you should let the wound heal quietly, and only then you can start arranging swims.

It is not necessary to dissolve potassium permanganate in a large bath. Since our task is not washing, but bathing, nothing will hamper the baby’s movements, he can easily sip the surrounding liquid. We believe you know that potassium permanganate solution provokes vomiting. Imagine what the end result could be.

The main task of parents who begin to bathe their baby in a large bath is to support his head. Position your palm so that the little finger is under the neck, and the rest of the fingers are under the back of the head. This will be comfortable for both you and the newborn.

The rest of the child's body will float on its own, you will immediately notice how it pops up as soon as you try to immerse it deeper. You can do this periodically to keep him warmer and more interesting.

The first time a newborn should be lowered into the water very carefully so as not to scare him. First, the legs are immersed, then the torso. Your task is not to scare the baby, he must enjoy the process so that the next time bathing is welcome.

Temperature

Bathing a newborn baby should take place at a certain temperature. So, it is recommended to start from 34 degrees. The entire process should take no more than fifteen minutes. In the future, it is necessary to gradually reduce the temperature, because we are not in a bath, but a kind of swimming pool.

By about a month old, the baby can already be kept in a large bath for up to half an hour. Of course, provided that he is healthy and he likes what is happening. The temperature is already about thirty degrees.

In the future, the degree of water heating can be further reduced. It is important here to monitor at what point the baby will show signs of discontent. It's very individual. Someone likes to swim at 24 degrees, and someone even thirty is not enough.

In a large bath, the child feels free, nothing restricts his movements. When he grows up, he will begin to have fun with various toys while sitting. The newborn has its own pleasures - it swims, moving its arms and legs.

If you see that your baby has lost interest in what is happening, try moving him from one end of the tub to the other. New sensations should come to his taste. If this does not help, it means that he is simply not in the mood now, so it is better to finish the water procedures.

For a newborn baby, there is not a wide variety of positions that he can take in the water, but they are quite enough to have fun for 15 to 30 minutes.

  • Lying on your back. We have already written about this pose above. Do not forget that the baby can be moved while doing this.
  • On the tummy. Here, adults must support the head under the chin, preventing it from sinking into the water. It is also possible to swim on the entire surface of the water.
  • sitting. Yes, the newborn is being planted. Of course, not at the bottom of the bath, but in the water. The main thing is to gain sufficient depth for this.

Swimming with a circle

A very interesting way to bathe a baby in a large bath is swimming with a circle. This is a special device that allows the child's head to stay on the surface of the water, while the body can move freely in any direction.

So, to begin with, inflate the circle, clearly following the attached instructions. Then gently put it on the baby's neck so that the chin falls into a special recess.

The next step is immersion in water. The child should be warm and comfortable, since his whole body is in the liquid. Despite the fact that he will swim completely autonomously, in no case should you leave him alone.

Swimming with a circle is allowed after about three weeks of age, but parents themselves must monitor the condition of the child and determine his readiness for such procedures.

In order for swimming to be beneficial and enjoyable, the following rules must be observed:

  • precise temperature control. A special thermometer will help with this;
  • food - after bathing, not before;
  • you can’t bathe a child forcibly if he is dissatisfied and naughty;
  • Take all bath accessories with you at once;
  • do not leave the baby alone for a minute.

Bathing a newborn in a large tub

Bathing a baby is an important hygiene procedure. Properly organized, it delivers a lot of positive emotions to the child. It is not difficult to turn bathing a newborn in a large bathtub into an enjoyable activity that does not bring much worries to parents.

In most cases, the child is bathed in a baby bath, setting it on a table or stools. A stuffy atmosphere is created in the room, the baby is carefully lowered into the water and quickly washed. This procedure does not give the desired effect. Best results can be obtained by practicing bathing an infant in a large tub.

When can I bathe a baby in a family bath

A shared family bath for an infant is acceptable only after the navel has completely healed. Therefore, bathing a newborn in a large bath can be done when the child is 10 to 14 days old.

It is customary to bathe the baby once a day. In hot weather, this procedure is better to do more often. Rinsing with water is a good prevention of overheating and dehydration. If this is not possible, the child's body should be wiped with a towel dipped in warm water.

Bathroom preparation

Before swimming, you need to prepare everything you need.

1. Before bathing a newborn in the bathroom, it should be thoroughly cleaned with ordinary baking soda. This is the safest remedy. Other chemicals should not be used. Then the bath is thoroughly rinsed and poured with boiling water. After that, you can safely bathe the child.

2. If the floor is slippery, place a rubber mat under your feet.

3. When one person bathes a child, without assistants, special devices must be provided - a slide chair, a hammock or a circle for bathing in the bathroom.

4. For a child from 4 months old, it is good to purchase toys for bathing. The procedure will be more interesting, and they will contribute to the development of the baby.

It is important that bathing a newborn in a large tub is done with the door open. In this case, there will not be much difference in temperature when you take the child out of the bathroom into the common room.

You need to carefully lower the baby into the water, clasping one hand under the shoulders and holding the back of his head.

Having once tried bathing a baby in a large tub, parents will appreciate the benefits of this option. After all, the child can move freely, without any risk of hitting. But you can't leave him alone, unattended.

19 rules for bathing children

It seems to be a simple science - bathing. But when it comes to children, every little thing is important - the temperature of the water, and the foam for the bath, and even what the child is sick with. "Letidor" will tell you how to properly wash children.

1. A healthy baby born at term can be bathed 5 days after birth. But most often, neonatologists recommend washing children immediately after discharge from the hospital (that is, even earlier) to wash away traces of a hospital infection.

2. The water temperature should be 35-37◦С. Keep in mind that not all children feel comfortable in 37◦C water, someone needs to be cooler. However, you will understand this when the child cries in the water.

3. The duration of the bath for the baby in the first days after birth is 2-3 minutes, gradually it can be increased to 7-10 minutes, and then up to 20-30 minutes.

4. Until the umbilical wound has healed, a weak solution of potassium permanganate or a decoction of chamomile should be added to the water. And then for bathing it is better to use soft products that are suitable for children from birth. They moisturize the skin well, soothe it, relieve irritation.

5. If the baby's skin is very dry or prone to atopy, then it is better to use a bath oil designed specifically for newborns. After oil baths, rinsing the skin is not required.

6. Children with increased excitability, with muscle hypertonicity are recommended to do coniferous-salt baths. They relax the muscles well, calm the nervous system. But such baths are made strictly according to indications and after consultation with a pediatrician or neurologist.

Six rules for bathing a newborn baby

Bathing a baby is a responsible and mandatory procedure, because it is necessary to cleanse the delicate skin of a baby from impurities. But still, the main goals of bathing are hardening and stimulation of physical activity. Parents, especially those who became parents for the first time, have many questions about:

  • how to properly bathe a child;
  • what temperature should the water be so that the baby does not get cold and feels comfortable;
  • how to securely hold the baby in one hand while you wash it with the other;
  • Is it possible to use purchased products for bathing, etc.

First swim: what day?

For the first time, the baby gets acquainted with water on the fourth or sixth day after discharge from the hospital. Often parents are afraid to carry out water procedures and believe that an unhealed umbilical wound is a place through which bacteria can enter the baby's body. Some families even boil water and wait for it to cool to the right temperature. Considering that bathing a baby in a bath is a daily procedure, it turns into a labor-intensive event for parents, although it should be fun. On a note! Reputable pediatricians of the country are sure that you can bathe a baby with an unhealed wound. The absence of water procedures until the 22-25th day of his life (that's when the navel heals) is harmful to his health. After bathing, it is simply necessary to treat the wound with brilliant green or other antiseptic agent prescribed by the pediatrician.

How to bathe a child?

  1. Rule number 1. For a newborn, it is better to use a baby bath for bathing with a capacity of about 35 liters made of high-quality environmentally friendly plastic. For example, Geuther, it is equipped with a drain, so that after bathing a baby, it would be more convenient for the mother to pour out the water.
  2. Rule number 2. There is no need to boil water. You can add infusions of chamomile, succession - herbs known for antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
  3. Rule number 3. In order for the mother to be sure of safety when bathing a newborn, we recommend purchasing a Deluxe Baby Bather from Summer Infant for a child or an Angelcare Bath Support slide, where anti-slip is provided. They will not let the baby sink completely into the water and free the mother's hands. Products are adapted to the weight and height of the newborn. The baby will lie in a comfortable position while bathing, and the mother's hands will be free. Modern manufacturers make sunbeds from environmentally friendly, non-toxic and anti-slip materials, so mothers can be completely confident in the safety of their children.
  4. Rule number 4. The ideal temperature for the first and next baths of the child is 36-37 degrees. If there is no thermometer at hand, then mom can check the water with her elbow, it should be comfortable: not hot and not cold. We recommend that you purchase water thermometers to be sure that it is suitable for bathing an infant. Sometimes the baby causes discomfort and anxiety even at a temperature that is only one or two degrees higher or lower than the permissible one. Multifunctional thermometers, such as Miniland's Thermo bath digital water and air model, have proved their worth.
  5. Rule number 5. Starting bathing, the child does not need to be abruptly lowered into the bath with water: this should be done slowly, watching how he reacts to the water and its temperature. If the first bath turns out to be a “negative” experience for the baby, then he will not like water procedures in the future.
  6. Rule number 6. To properly bathe a newborn baby in a bath, you should:
    • Soap the baby's body with a soft washcloth, sponge or cotton swab. On a note! Bathing sets for newborns (for example, Italbaby bathing sets), which parents often purchase, have a small terry mitten. It perfectly copes with the function of a washcloth and does not injure delicate skin.
    • Gently and thoroughly wash every crease where dirt, dust from bed linen, and the remains of mother's milk accumulate. Important! One of the questions that worries mothers is how to bathe a child: with or without special cosmetics? Today, manufacturers offer a line of products for babies: soap, gels, milk, shampoos that are suitable for use with children from birth. They differ in eco-friendly natural composition, do not irritate sensitive skin. So, most fans of natural cosmetics highly appreciate Helan products: liquid or organic soap without alkali Helan Linea Bimbi.
    • Use the Clippasafe head visor to keep water and shampoo out of your eyes. As practice shows, it is it that causes discomfort to the baby.
    • After washing, rinse the baby with clean water, wrap it in a soft large towel and put it on the changing table, blot the skin and folds with a towel and change into a blouse and sliders so that it does not get cold after water procedures.

The duration of the first bath of the child should not exceed six minutes. As you grow older, the period of stay in the bath can be increased first to ten minutes, and then more. But do not forget to follow the reaction of the child: it is always clear from him whether he is cold or tired.

Bathing a child in a bath: is it permissible?

Sooner or later, the time comes to let the newborn baby in the "big swim", and it's time to bathe in the bathroom. This usually happens when parents confidently water the baby in a small tub, or it no longer fits in it. You can start bathing your baby in the bath immediately after the umbilical wound has healed. We advise parents to adhere to the following recommendations:

  1. Monitor the child's reaction. He may be frightened by the large space around him, because before he was washed in the "chamber" setting of the bath.
  2. Use a sunbed for safety and convenience.
  3. Stimulate the activity of the baby and interest him with toys specially designed for bathing: a device for blowing soap bubbles, rubber squeaky toys, etc.
  4. Do not leave the baby unattended for a second, since even a water depth of 10-15 cm is dangerous for him.

Today, there are many convenient and useful devices on sale: from thermometers and folding beds to protective visors on the head and organizers for toys. They will make the process of bathing both in the bath and in the bath pleasant and safe for the baby and give parents the confidence that they are doing everything right.

The first bath of a child is a real event in a young family. It requires thorough preparation and the correct sequence of actions of parents. As a rule, a lot of questions arise: Is it necessary to add something to the water? What is better bath or small bath? What time to bathe and when to start? What should the water temperature be? Should you boil water? In fact, bathing a newborn baby for the first time at home is not so difficult. Very soon this procedure will become habitual.

When can I bathe a newborn after the hospital? The first time you can bathe a newborn as soon as the umbilical wound heals. Of course, you can bathe the baby on the first day after discharge, but with the presence of an open wound on the body of the baby, the procedure and preparation itself are somewhat complicated. Pediatricians advise not to rush and wait until the navel is completely healed. So the risk of contracting any infection will be completely eliminated, and you can safely start water procedures with the baby.

What to prepare for your baby's first bath

Usually, all bath accessories are bought even before the birth of the crumbs, but if something has not been bought yet, then there is time to purchase it before the umbilical wound heals.

List of required items:

  • Small bath. If the family lives in a house where there is no large bath, then a plastic bath is an indispensable thing. In the case of living in a comfortable apartment, you can get by with a large bathroom. But for the first month it is better to bathe the child in a small bath, as the baby may be afraid of large volumes of water, and bathing will not bring him joy. It is best to immediately purchase accessories such as a hammock or a swimming slide (often baths already come with a slide). These gizmos will free mom's hands and make the process much easier.
  • Thermometer. The simplest plastic thermometer will do. It is needed only for the first time, so as not to make a mistake with the water temperature. Then mommy will be able to focus on her feelings, tasting the water with her hand.
  • Towel or diaper. Towel or diaper must be 100% cotton; this is important, since such material will definitely not cause allergies and will absorb moisture well. It is better to choose a large size so that it is possible to wrap the baby completely. In order not to make a mistake when buying, it is better to purchase a special towel for children, they can often be found in children's goods stores.

The circle on the neck can be used from the first bath. But this must be done in a large bath. This accessory allows the baby to actively move in the water, swim, which introduces an element of physical development into the procedure. However, whether to use it or not is up to the parents.

For the first bath, these things are enough. Will come in handy later on:

  • Baby bath products (soap, shampoo, bath foam).
  • rubber toys.
  • Soft baby washcloth.
  • Bathing circle around the neck (you can use a special swimming cap, these things look different, but the result is the same).

Immediately after the first bath, you will need the following things:

  • Cotton swabs (it is best to take with a limiter).
  • Diaper.
  • Cream or powder under the diaper. This baby cosmetics should be used only if necessary, if the skin has diaper rash.
  • Clothes for a child.
  • Zelenka and peroxide for wound treatment. If the wound has already healed, then these funds will not be needed.

How to choose the time for the first bath

When choosing a time for water procedures, it must be taken into account that it is better to bathe a child every day at the same time. This will be one of the important points in accustoming the baby to the regimen.

Pediatricians advise to carry out water procedures immediately before the last evening feeding, before putting the baby to sleep at night. This is due to the fact that after bathing and eating, the baby gets tired, as a result of which he sleeps much stronger and longer at night. Such a dream is a big plus for the whole family, as it allows you to fully relax after a hard day without getting up to the baby's bed.

However, all children are different, so you need to focus on the baby. Some babies like to bathe in the afternoon or in the morning. If the baby is constantly naughty during the evening bath, then you can try changing the time of the procedure.

There is one important rule - you can not bathe a child on a full stomach. It is necessary to wait at least an hour after feeding, but it is also not necessary to wait until the child is very hungry. Water procedures take a lot of strength from the crumbs. After them, he is guaranteed to want to eat. To prevent this from happening during bathing and not have to interrupt the process, you need to guess the time somewhere in the middle between feedings.

At what water temperature can a child bathe

It is necessary to bathe the baby in water, the temperature of which is not higher and not lower than 36.5-37 ° C. This is the most comfortable environment for the child. If the water is colder or hotter, then the baby may be afraid of a sharp change in temperature.

Even in the case when there is no thermometer, mom can easily determine a comfortable temperature by dipping her elbow into the water. If the water is approximately equal to body temperature, then you can safely bathe the baby.

Many pediatricians advise to gradually reduce the temperature of the water in the bath by a few degrees (up to about 34-33 ° C) in order to introduce an element of hardening into the procedure. Yes, it will benefit the child, but it must be done carefully over several months. Sudden temperature fluctuations will only harm and bring discomfort to the child. Of course, in the first bath, the water temperature should be approximately equal to normal body temperature - 36.5-37 ° C.

Do I need to boil water for bathing?

Most grandmothers believe that water must be boiled to bathe a newborn and they impose this opinion on young mothers.

If water procedures are carried out for a baby with an already healed navel, then there is absolutely no need for boiling. Regular tap water is fine. Even if a child accidentally swallows some water, nothing bad will happen. Newborn babies are much tougher than most adults think. Therefore, you do not need to bother yourself with useless boiling.


The procedure of boiling water makes sense only when it comes to bathing children with an unhealed umbilical wound. This can significantly reduce the risk of infection.

Do I need to add something to the water

There is an opinion among mothers and grandmothers that something must be added to the bathing water. Most often we are talking about a solution of potassium permanganate and various herbs.

You definitely don’t need to add potassium permanganate: this is a relic of the past! Even a weak solution of this substance can adversely affect the baby, cause burns to the skin or mucous membranes if water accidentally gets into the mouth or eyes of the crumbs. Previously, potassium permanganate was added to disinfect the water, since the quality of the water was very poor. Today, tap water meets the standards, it is impossible to poison it. The need for potassium permanganate has completely disappeared.

Herbal infusions for bathing a child are quite acceptable. You can use herbs such as:

  • Series.
  • Chamomile.
  • Nettle.
  • St. John's wort.
  • Calendula.
  • Motherwort.
  • Lavender.
  • Oak bark.

These herbs help get rid of diaper rash, soothe the baby, improve sleep. However, first it is better to make sure that the child is not prone to allergic reactions, since herbs often cause various rashes, redness and swelling.


You need to buy and brew only natural herbs. In stores, you can also buy ready-made infusions to add to the bath, but they can contain a lot of unnecessary chemicals.

In the first bath of the baby, it is best to do with plain clean water. Nothing needs to be added. Various supplements, their dose and frequency of use must first be agreed with the pediatrician!

How to bathe a newborn for the first time

In order for the first bath to go smoothly, you must follow a few simple rules:

  • The duration of the first bath should not be very long - 5-10 minutes is enough. If the baby cries, then the procedure must be completed immediately, even if only a few minutes have passed. Soon the baby will get used to the water, and the process will bring pleasure.
  • It is necessary to ensure that the temperature in the bathroom or the room where the baby bathes does not differ from the temperature of the nursery. No need to specially heat the room: it only harms! A sharp change in temperature adversely affects the health of the crumbs. It is enough just to exclude drafts.
  • You can not leave the baby in the water alone even for a fraction of a minute, even if he is in a small bath and lies on a slide or in a hammock! One of the adults should always be there!
  • It is not necessary to use soap in the first bath. In general, soap should not be used too often, as it dries out the skin of a newborn. Once a week is enough. In this case, the soap should be special for children, preferably liquid. Homemade soap and soap for adults, even the mildest, will not work!
  • No need to use a diaper while bathing - this is yesterday. Previously, it was used so that the child would not freeze while bathing. There is absolutely no need for this. With the right temperature of water and air, the child will not freeze! This accessory will only interfere and hamper the movements of the baby.
  • It is better to place the bath on an elevation (a table or a special stand) so that the back of the bathing adult does not get tired.
  • No need to be afraid that water droplets fall into the mouth and nose of the crumbs. It is necessary to encourage the active movement of the child. Then excess water can be carefully removed with a cotton swab.
  • During the procedure, you need to support the child in the water by the back of the head, not allowing the child's head to sink into the water.
  • When bathing, you need to gently wash each part of the baby's body with water, not forgetting the genitals. The boy can be washed as you like. The girl is washed from front to back - this is important to remember, because otherwise the risk of genitourinary infections increases greatly.
  • After bathing, the baby should be wrapped in a towel, allowed to dry and proceed with the treatment of the navel and diaper rash (if necessary) and dressing. It is good to do a light massage immediately after bathing.

Folk omens

In Slavic culture, many signs and beliefs are associated with the first bathing of a baby:

  • If a girl is dressed in a white shirt while bathing, then her skin will always remain white and beautiful.
  • So that everyone loves the child and he grows beautiful, a decoction of lovage grass is added to the bath.
  • For the first time, only a father or mother can bathe a child without anyone's help: this is a powerful amulet against the evil eye and damage.
  • For good lactation, a little breast milk is added to the water during the first bath.
  • Water from the bath must be poured immediately after the procedure. Parents should do this, not allowing anyone to touch her: this will also protect the baby from the evil eye.
  • You can put coins at the bottom of the bath: this will bring wealth to the child in the future.
  • In order for the boy to continue the birth, a wedding ring is placed at the bottom of the bath. And for the mind and diligence, you need to put a book (Bible) and a hammer under the bath.
  • In order for the girl to grow up as a good housewife, you need to put a needle, spindle, sickle and comb under the bath.
  • For the health of the child, 9 grains of zhit are thrown into the water.

Of course, to believe in signs or not is the decision of everyone. But why not use the wisdom accumulated over the centuries.

The first bath is one of the most memorable events in the life of a family. It only seems that everything is very complicated, in fact, the procedure is simple and pleasant. The main thing is not to forget about common sense and not to complicate the task.

Upon returning home from the hospital, parents often have a problem how to properly bathe their newborn for the first time. After all, this one of the most pleasant cares is very important for the health and further development of a new person. Along with the age-old rules of its implementation, new opportunities have appeared, recommendations from pediatricians.

When bathing a newborn for the first time, you should focus on the condition of the circumcision sites (navel, male penis). According to the advice of pediatricians, this procedure can be carried out immediately after discharge from the maternity hospital.

Many of them believe that this should be done the day after the child is discharged home in order to avoid an overabundance of stressful situations. But in the West, instead of the first immersion of an infant in water up to 4 weeks after birth, only wet rubbing of the body is used.

According to the Ukrainian doctor Yevgeny Komarovsky, it is better to start bathing 14 days after the birth of the baby. That is how much time it will take for the final healing of the wounds of the navel, the penis after circumcision. And until that time, you can limit yourself to wet rubbing with a soft cloth, cotton wool without contact with this problem area.

What to prepare for bathing a newborn

To avoid mistakes when bathing a newborn for the first time, it is necessary to prepare in advance such things as:


To capture this touching event, many parents also include special equipment (cameras, video cameras, various gadget options, etc.) in this list.

Swimming place

The choice of premises for the first water procedure depends on its compliance with such criteria as:

  • the required temperature regime of the ambient air;
  • lack of drafts;
  • good illumination;
  • the possibility of access to the bath from different sides.

Based on this, such a place for the first time bathing a newborn can be a bathroom or kitchen. However, according to many experienced parents, it is better to exclude the latter option due to the harmful effects of household appliances (gas stove, microwave oven, etc.).

The use of any room must be preceded by its disinfection with the help of salt lamps, air purifiers with humidification.

In their absence, you can use the folk way: placing a saucer in the room with several peeled cloves of garlic (for 15 minutes before bathing). The created conditions allow the baby to arrange an air bath before bathing for 5-10 minutes.

Under the feet of adults, a non-slip mat should be placed. To avoid excessive humidity in the room, the door must be kept open throughout the procedure.

In which bath to bathe a child

According to most pediatricians, experienced parents, bathing a newborn for the first time is best done in special baby baths. This is due to the adaptation of their designs, shapes, sizes to the needs of this age category.

At the same time, baby baths can be located both in a large (adult) bathroom and on a hill. These features should also be taken into account in conditions where it is not convenient for every mother to lean low after childbirth.

Along with this, the Komarovsky system offers both the first and all subsequent water procedures to be carried out immediately in a regular bath. In this case, the child has maximum freedom of action, conditions for muscle work, improved functioning of the cardiac and respiratory systems.

At the same time, many parents believe that it is safer to use an ordinary bath not for the first time, but later, when the child can sit.

What water to use for the first bath

Regarding the use of raw or boiled water for bathing a baby, its settling, filtering, there are different opinions of specialists and parents.

An important argument for the need to boil water is the presence of an umbilical wound, which heals about 22 days after the birth of the baby. Some parents, on the advice of pediatricians, use such water for the first 3 months. These actions are fully justified if there is doubt about the quality of water from the water supply (cloudy color, suspicious smell, etc.).

According to the Komarovsky system, a healthy newborn does not need to boil water. After all excessive sterility negatively affects the body's resistance to various diseases.

Those who believe that the water comes already in a purified, filtered form and is completely safe for the first font are in solidarity with him. However, its additional settling to get rid of excessive concentration of disinfectants is not forbidden.

In order to exclude the occurrence of probable problems in the navel, the circumcised penis in boys, it is advisable to add a light solution of potassium permanganate, decoctions of medicinal herbs to the water. This must be done even when using carbon filters.

Water temperature

Experts recommend starting the first bath of a child with water heated at the level of normal body temperature - + 36 ° C and not higher than + 37 ° C. This indicator does not give sensations of cold / heat when checking even without a thermometer, but with the help of an elbow or wrist from the inside.

It is important to consider that overheating of water can cause burns on the delicate body of the child.. In addition, this will lead to his panic fear of the procedure.

The procedure should be completed by dousing the child with cooler water by a couple of degrees than in the bath. To harden the body in the future, you can reduce its content by 1 ° C every 2 weeks.


Bathing a newborn for the first time is done with water 36-38 degrees

You should not be afraid of hypothermia of the baby due to the large compensatory capabilities of newborns. As history testifies, in Russia there has long been a tradition of baptizing children 8 days old in an icy water font.

Room temperature

According to the standards of modern pediatrics, the optimal temperature should be from +18°C to +22°C. This allows you to create comfortable conditions for the child without overheating or freezing, the natural course of all biological processes.

It should be borne in mind that a lower temperature is fraught with colds, and a higher one can negatively affect the activity of the heart and lungs.

Judging by the reviews of some parents, a warmer room (up to + 24 ° C) is required for the adoption of water procedures. This applies in particular to bathing children who are at risk. In all cases, it is worth focusing on the behavior of the kids.

Potassium permanganate. Add it or not?

During the first bathing of a newborn, the addition of potassium permanganate to the water is recommended by doctors in case of a weeping, festering wound in the navel area.

Here you will need to dilute 2-3 g of potassium permanganate (about one pinch) in 200 ml of boiling water and stir the resulting solution until its crystals completely disappear. Then the resulting liquid must be poured into the bath, where the water should turn pink.

Remember! A more saturated, dark color can harm the delicate skin of a child (overdrying, infection, etc.).

With a healed wound, the addition of this remedy is not needed. At the same time, according to Dr. Komarovsky, potassium permanganate should not be used at all. An alternative solution to the problem is the use of medicinal herbs.

Herbs for bathing newborns

Already at the first bathing of the child, you can add decoctions from plants such as:


Remember that the fanatical use of herbal decoctions can have the opposite effect in the form of an allergy! Recipes for making decoctions must be agreed with specialists who, starting from the first bath of a child, will help create an individual algorithm for water procedures for a long period.

Do I need to use a bath diaper

The old tradition of starting the adoption of a water procedure in a diaper is still relevant today. The advantages of such a soft "cocoon" is the creation of a semblance of intrauterine conditions, which is especially beneficial for crying babies.

Proper use is to wrap the baby in a swaddle and gently place it on the bottom of the tub. Along with this, it is also practiced to place another diaper folded in 4 layers at the bottom of the raised edge of the bath or on a special stand for the baby's head.

What hygiene products to use

When bathing for the first time, special attention should be paid to the correct choice of hygiene products that must meet the following mandatory criteria:

  1. Production from natural raw materials.
  2. Free from odor, chemical additives, dyes, etc. (reference point: manufacturer's designation - "no tears").
  3. The presence of an indication of its intended purpose (for newborns).

Among the numerous range of such products, soap and shampoo are of particular importance. When choosing a body wash soap, you should pay attention to products that are made with natural additives (chamomile, string, calendula, etc.).

When using shampoo, it is better to use preparations without questionable components. Children's shampoos with aloe vera, calendula, wheat, chamomile extracts, soapwort, panthenol are considered quite acceptable.

Remember, these funds can be used no more than once every 7 days!

What time to swim

This useful procedure is allowed to be carried out at any, but the same time of day. It should be remembered that after it the child has an appetite and drowsiness.

He calms down, because bathing for him is like returning to a mother's womb filled with water. Therefore, many parents follow the traditional sequence: bathing - feeding - sleeping. According to the recommendation of Dr. Komarovsky, it is best to do this at night before feeding. or 45 minutes after it (from 23.00 to 24.00).

However, some newborns after washing become, on the contrary, more active, capricious. When choosing a bath time, you need to focus on the individual characteristics of the behavior of the baby.

How much to bathe a newborn and how often

Depending on the mood of the child, you can determine the duration of the procedure. Actually washing it takes up to 5 minutes + a few minutes - these are manipulations for development, enjoyment. Based on this, the first bath can last up to 10 minutes, by 2 months - about 20 minutes, and a six-month-old baby himself will want to splash around in the water for a long time.

Regarding the frequency of such a hygiene procedure, there are international standards: 2-3 times in 7 days. This involves the obligatory regular washing and washing of the baby. Experts believe that more frequent bathing may cause increased dryness of his skin.

There is also the opinion of pediatricians, parents that one should not be limited to purely utilitarian considerations and conduct daily bathing. The main arguments of this approach are the cleaning of children's skin from peeling, opening the pores for its "breathing", general hardening.

How to properly bathe a baby

After preparing everything necessary for bathing, it is necessary to prepare the newborn for it. This includes a hardening air bath: a naked baby is placed on a changing table, sofa, bed.

An air bath can be combined with light massage, full-body exercises recommended by the doctor (for 15 minutes). In parallel, it is necessary to soothe the baby with affectionate words, a smile. Then the formed crusts on the head should be treated with warm boiled oil (vegetable or vaseline).

Without leaving the child unattended, fill a 15 cm bath with water of an acceptable temperature, adding, if necessary, herbal infusions. This level allows you to keep dry the head, shoulders, chest of the baby. To wash it nearby, it is necessary to place a jug of water at about 36 ° C.

The bathing procedure is carried out in the following order:

  1. Slowly lower a newborn dressed in a vest or wrapped in a diaper into a bathtub filled with water. After a couple of minutes of its adaptation in the aquatic environment, these “clothes” can be removed.
  2. Support the head with the neck of the newborn with the left hand with the thumb on the left shoulder, and the rest under the left armpit. This will help the strength of the head resting on the forearm of the person who is bathing. The body of the baby should be covered with water up to the shoulders.
  3. When bathing a baby with one adult, it is rinsed with the right hand. The position of the child must be well fixed in order to prevent it from slipping out of the hands. In the process of bathing from the side of the head, the diaper is rhythmically moistened, the legs and arms are poured with water from the wide end of the container.
  4. Bathing begins with washing the face (wiping with a wet hand from the forehead to the chin) without soap, paying special attention to the eyes.
  5. This is followed by washing the folds of the body with soap (between the fingers and the folds of the arms / legs, on the neck, armpits, behind the ears, in the groin). After the procedure, each part of the body is again covered with a diaper.
  6. Washing the head (from the forehead to the back of the head) is carried out using shampoo or soap, and then the perineum (clean water).
  7. At the end of the procedure, the baby must be lifted and firmly held over the bath, rinsing the body from the back of the jug with pre-prepared water should be started.

Useful advice! Speaking already at the first bath of pre-learned jokes, rhymes, songs helps the baby quickly get used to different water procedures.

Features of bathing girls

Bathing girls is carried out in the direction "front - back": from the tummy to the back. Before bathing on the parted labia of girls, you need to carefully wash off the mucus secreted from the vagina.

Washing of the perineum is carried out with careful movements of the adult's hand, starting from the urination canal towards the anus. Upon completion of the procedure, this area is blotted with a soft cloth / napkin and treated with talcum powder.

Features of bathing a boy

Boys are washed in the opposite direction: from the back to the tummy. The specificity of bathing newborn boys consists in the preliminary removal of smegma accumulating in the foreskin, which can provoke infection of the head of the penis.

Washing the external genital organs of boys is carried out by pulling the foreskin of the penis, and then rinsing all the folds under it, drying and treating with talc. This avoids infection of the intimate part of the body.

Bathing equipment for newborns

The range of special baby baths is characterized by great diversity. This applies to their forms, taking into account the anatomy of the child and the requirements for bathing them, combining them with a changing table, chest of drawers for newborns, etc.

In addition to them, you can purchase various accessories, namely:


Precautionary measures:

  • exclusively targeted use of the bath with obligatory washing before bathing, cleaning with baking soda, thorough rinsing with clean water after the procedure;
  • bath safety;
  • compliance with the temperature regime of water and premises. Inadmissibility of pouring hot water into the bath while the baby is in it;
  • fastening accessories only on a dry surface of the container;
  • providing support for the baby's head with the ears above the water;
  • the inadmissibility of finding a child in the water without adults;
  • use only plastic, not glass / ceramic products;
  • ensuring frequent change of sponges, washcloths, as well as the release of residual water, drying toys to avoid the formation of mold on them and inside;
  • the use of herbal decoctions only on the recommendation of a pediatrician.

Skin care for a newborn after bathing

Upon completion of bathing, the baby must be removed from the bath, wrapped in a dry diaper or towel and gently blotted without rubbing the entire body, starting from the head. After making sure that the folds on it are completely dry, put on a diaper. According to Komarovsky, this is the best option, because tight swaddling hinders the baby's movements.

Compliance with these basic rules from the first time bathing a newborn will make further procedures for him not only useful, but also desirable.

If young parents do not have experience in implementing such a water procedure, you can use the services of a patronage nurse. Professional advice is also needed regarding the hydration of the child's body in the absence / presence of vaccinations.

Video about the first bath of a newborn

Dr. Komarovsky will tell you how to properly bathe newborns:

Master Class. How to bathe a baby:


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