Bathing Your Baby -- Tips and Ideas to Keep Bathtime Safe

Bathing your baby can be an ordeal if you are not prepared. It is obviously much different from when you yourself take a bath or shower. Things that you don’t even think about or take for granted – like the temperature of the water -- can be a very big deal when bathing your baby. There are a few things that you can do to help you prepare for your baby’s bath

Make sure that you plan ahead for your baby’s bath. Get everything ready before you start bathing your baby. It is a good idea to keep everything that you need in a bucket, together. Keep in this bucket a towel and washcloth, mild soap, cotton balls, and a clean diaper. This way, you won’t forget anything.

You never want to leave your baby in the bath, even if you forgot something. If you did forget something, carry your baby with you to go get it.

Never ever leave your baby alone in the water! Do not answer the phone or the doorbell when bathing your baby unless you take your baby with you. If a friend or relative calls you often, be sure to let that person know when it is you that you will be bathing your baby so that he cannot interrupt. It is a well-established fact that a baby can drown in just an inch of water.

Babies can get scalded easily. Fill the sink or bathtub that you are going to use to bathe your baby with warm water. Be sure to test the water with your wrist or elbow – the water should not be hot, just comfortably warm.

At first, you should only give your baby sponge baths. Give your baby sponge baths until the umbilical cord or circumcision (if there was one) has healed. Then you can move on to bathing your baby in the tub.

You should use something to line the tub to keep your baby from slipping. You, of course, want to be very gentle when bathing your baby. Use a clean, damp washcloth (without soap) to wash her face, outside and back of each ear.

Cotton balls can be used to wipe your baby’s yes before you put her in the tub. Don’t use bubble bath or other detergents because these can cause rashes. Be sure to support your baby’s head when she is in the tub. You only want to wash your baby’s hair once or twice a week. Make sure the mild soap’s suds don’t get into your baby’ eyes.

Bathing your baby can be a fun and bonding experience as long as you keep it safe.