Baby Blog

How and where to bath your baby Hygiene Suitable for stages: 0 - 3 Months, 3 - 6 Months

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Due to the sensitive skin of your newborn, there are some things to know before you start shopping for supplies and go running their first bath. For new parents, the first bath can be nerve-wracking, so it's worth doing some research and having a plan before you jump in.

new baby - when to bath

 

When will your baby need their first bath?

It used to be that newborns were washed down immediately after birth, bundled up and delivered back to their parents. These days, most birthing facilities will encourage delaying the first bath and encourage plenty of skin to skin contact in the first hour and then the first days after birth.

In the womb, your baby had a vernix layer coating their skin. When they are born, sometimes the vernix layer is visible as a whiteish coating on the skin. It is thought to serve many protective purposes both in the womb and in the first days after birth, including playing an important role as the skin's first microbiome. Many parents choose not to disturb that system and focus on bonding in the first days.

When you feel it is time to do more than a top and tail wash, timing, and preparation will be the key to keeping your baby comfortable for their first bath. 

where to set up the bath items

 

Where to bath your baby

Before your baby arrives, you might want to get organised with setting up a space for your baby's first few baths. 

Where you bath, your baby may be the same place as where you manage their other hygiene needs, or somewhere different in the house. As your baby grows and develops, the bathing space and equipment will change according to their needs and abilities.

The bathing space should include the following:

  1. Access to water – tap or hose
    • For filling up the bath, tub or basin 

  2. Bath at a comfortable height for the caregiver 

    • Avoid awkward postures such as excessive bending or twisting. You may want to use a benchtop, a mobile or folding change table as a bath stand, purchase a dedicated bath stand compatible with the bath or use a change centre that combines a change table with a bath and stand.

    • If you are bathing at floor height, you can sit on a small stool or kneel on something soft. You can buy soft padded kneeler's designed for use in the bathroom or use a folded towel.

  3. Surface for undressing baby nearby

  4. Surface for drying and dressing baby

  5. Easy to reach baby products as needed

  6. Easy to dry surfaces

    • When spills and splashes occur, these should be easy to dry off with a towel or mop.

  7. Easy to empty the water out

    • There are two efficient ways to empty a bath, pouring the water out (which would require tipping and or lifting the bath), or draining the water out through a hole (which requires the bath to be somewhere where the water can drain away).  

    • If you are using a tub or baby bath, consider how heavy it will be once it has water in it. Then consider whether you could safely lift it or tip the water out or how you could drain the water out if it had a release plug. Consider alternatives such as using the bathroom hand basin, kitchen sink or laundry sink.

  8. Space to store items between uses

 

The learning curve

If you are a first-time parent, you may do the first bath whilst in the hospital a couple of days after the birth. In that case, you will see how the nurses set up the area for the bath, and they will have all the things you will need for bathing your newborn. In the case where you don't get a chance to do a bath under guidance, it is worth finding out a few basics before you dive right in with your baby. Even if you have been shown in the hospital environment, it is an entirely different experience once you are home with your baby and in your own space. 

A few resources you may want to check out: 

Lois Wattis (Australian Midwife and Lactation Consultant) has a YouTube Video on How to Bath your Baby with some great tips to get started and how to keep your baby comfortable.

For more information, View Baby Bath and Skincare Videos on the Royal Women's Hospital Victoria Website.

 

How to bath your newborn - basic steps 

1. Choose a time when your baby is not hungry or overtired. If they are already undressed and just in a nappy, that is ideal.

2. Your baby will be more comfortable if they are in a warm room (use a heat lamp if you have one). 

3. Have everything set up as much as possible, including:

  • a container of water (baby bath, basin, sink, large bucket) filled with warm (38-40°C) plain water. Bath thermometers are cheap and easy to use or use your elbow to test the water temperature. You can add a soap-free or pH neutral wash or dermatologist-approved bath oil to the water, but this can make your baby's skin slippery to hold. In saying that, plain water is as good as anything.
  • Have a towel ready to lay your baby on or wrap them up into, a few spare nappies there, and new clothes if you need them.

  • Try to keep the first bath short. Newborns have such a short period of alert time. You don't want your baby to get overtired and overstimulated. After the first bath, you can bathe every other day for about 10 minutes, then increase as your baby tolerates. How frequently you bath your baby is up to you.

bathing baby

  • To lower your baby into the bath, using your forearm and hand support around their back of neck and shoulders and with the other hand, support under their bottom. When in the water, continue to support around their back and shoulders, making sure the body is under the water up to the neck. The water will keep your baby warm until it's time to get out. A wet washcloth on their chest, can also keep them warm.

Using a washcloth

  • Using the towel, dry your baby thoroughly, including all their skin folds and behind their ears. Hooded towels are popular as they can quickly dry your baby's head and wrap around your baby. The newborn versions are only perfect for newborns as they outgrow them so quickly. Large Hooded towels such as these are an option. In reality, any absorbent cloth/towel will do the job. Having a good supply or towelling nappy squares can also be great for multipurpose uses including as small towels for drying, spills and spit-ups.

towel drying

  • If your baby is calm and happy after the bath, this can be a great time for a massage using a gentle (fragrance-free and pH balanced) moisturiser. Touch can feel great to your baby whilst the moisturiser encourages moist healthy skin.

 

Once your baby is out of the newborn stage, you may want to introduce some bath toys to engage your baby in water play. There are also plenty of other bath products which can make your life that little bit easier.

Where to shop:

 


Please note: Above all, any information on this website aims to provide general ideas for informational and educational purposes only. We encourage users to investigate several information sources, including, where necessary, independent individualised medical advice before making any decisions that could affect you or your child’s health or wellbeing.

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