When is the best time to bathe an infant? Bathing a newborn

Bathing a baby is a procedure that should bring joy and pleasure. When in contact with water, tactile stimulation occurs and physical performance improves.

But a prerequisite, of course, is hygienic manipulations and temperature conditions: both water and ambient air.

During intrauterine life, the baby was always surrounded by amniotic fluid. After birth, he leaves this environment and goes through the processes of adaptation to new conditions. Therefore, swimming in water is a reminder for him of his “past” life in his mother’s tummy.

If we talk about the temperature, it is about 37 degrees. If this temperature level increases, the child may overheat or get burned. And, conversely, swimming in cold water can even cause fright in an infant and discourage the desire to swim for a long time.

The baby's first bath lasts about 10 minutes, so you don't have to worry that the water will have time to cool down.

Methods for measuring water temperature:

thermometer;
"elbow method"

Pharmacies sell many water thermometers in the form of fish that are immersed in a bath. You can also use your own hands. Place your elbow in the water and judge roughly whether the water is hot or cool.

It should be remembered that the umbilical wound in very small babies has not yet healed and to bathe newborns in the first days of life it is necessary to boil water. This must be done within the first two weeks. To do this, first fill the bath with cold water, then add boiling water to the desired temperature - 36-37 degrees. Be sure to stir the water.

If your baby overheats, you will notice redness of the skin and lethargy. And, conversely, if the baby is cold, he will clench his fists, cry, and his lips and limbs will turn blue.

If the child cries during bathing, the procedure should be stopped. Look again at what you are doing wrong.

The air temperature in the bathroom should be about 23 degrees.

What do you need to prepare for swimming?

For water procedures you will need the following items:

bath;
swimming slide;
thermometer;
diaper;
soft terry towel;
children's bathing products.

Baby bath products

In modern stores you can find many different kinds of children's shampoos, gels and bath foams. The most widespread is the Johnsons Baby line.

Bathing foam, especially with lavender oil, has hypoallergenic properties and a calming effect.

Hypoallergenic - the absence of harmful dyes and fragrances that can cause an allergic reaction.
Safety. After all, any child can try the foam “to the teeth.”

Of course, if it was not a drop of gel, but a whole sip or two, you need to call an ambulance.

Daria, Moscow, 25 years old:“Johnsons Baby bathing foam suited us, or rather my six-month-old happiness, perfectly. You can purchase a large pink bottle of 500 ml. The price is very reasonable and will last a long time - about 4 months. But, depending on how much you pour it into the bath. For excitable children there is also one with lavender.”

Children's soap "Eared Nannies", Hipp is also popular among young mothers. The form of its use is also convenient - liquid.

This soap should not contain fragrances. An essential component is glycerin to soften delicate skin. Always a big plus for soap is the presence of substances of plant origin and a special dispenser for convenient use.

You can also bathe children in herbal mixtures with thyme, chamomile, and lemon balm. They have a good anti-inflammatory and calming effect. They will provide all possible assistance with diaper rash and hyperexcitability of the baby.

Natalya, 28 years old:“I bought the “Eared Nanny” hair wash, I thought it would be suitable as a bubble bath, but it wasn’t. Foams mediocre. Great for babies, softens the skin well. No allergic reactions were detected. There is, however, a grape scent, so I wouldn’t recommend it for newborns.”

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. For my son I use liquid soap “Eared Nannies”. It foams very well, so to speak, “2 in 1” - both foam and soap. The smell is pleasant and washes off quickly. I have never noticed any allergies, it softens and soothes the skin very well during diaper rash, if any.

The line of bathing products from the German company Bübchen is also in high demand on the market. But they are a little expensive.

Nowadays you can find a lot of shampoos, bath foams, and bathing gels for children. But even with such diversity, an individual approach and mandatory consideration of possible allergic reactions are required. What to bathe the baby in is up to the parents to decide.

Newborn's first bath

This is the long-awaited moment of discharge from the hospital. You arrived home, and after some time the question arises of how to bathe this small and very fragile bundle of happiness.

Bathing the baby after the maternity hospital should be done the next day to allow the newborn to adapt to his new room and crib.

The child should be bathed in his own bathtub. You should choose a bathtub in children's stores, since the product is certified there, and the plastic and other substances from which the bathtub is made will not harm the baby's health when bathing.

During this procedure, you can use a slide for convenience. There are plastic slides, fabric hammocks, and slides with a metal frame covered with fabric. Special baths with built-in slides are also sold.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. My husband and I enjoyed bathing our baby on a fabric slide with a metal frame. My husband even built it himself. It is more comfortable and softer for a child to lie on fabric than on a plastic backing.

Rules for bathing a baby

We are preparing a place in the bathroom where it is most convenient to place the bathtub. You can put it on a stool or in a large bathtub.
Let's prepare the water. If the umbilical wound has not healed, then the water should be boiled.
Check to see if there is a mug or small ladle to rinse the baby.
We fill up about a quarter of the bath with water. Check the temperature with a thermometer or elbow. If desired, add foam or herbal decoction.
We put up a slide.
We close the bathroom.
We are preparing the child.
We undress the baby on the changing table. If the room is warm, you can take air baths for a few minutes. Then we swaddle the head, but not tightly.
We carefully place the baby on the slide, monitor the child’s well-being, the color of his skin, and the large fontanel.
First, carefully wash the baby’s arms, legs, body, then the child’s head, trying to protect the eyes from water. At the end, rinse the baby with clean water. Bathing a newborn should begin with five minutes, gradually increasing the amount of time to 15 minutes.

For more information about the age at which a child should be swaddled, read the article by a pediatrician.

How to wash a newborn?

You can wash your child simply with your hand, or with a special washcloth-mitten, which you can buy at a children's store. When choosing a mitten, evaluate the material from which it is made and the smell, so as not to cause an allergy in your child.

After the child has bathed, he should be wrapped in a dry terry towel and dried with blotting movements. Dress in a vest, romper, or swaddle.

The baby should be bathed daily for the first 4-5 months, but hair should be washed no more than 2 times a week. In the second half of life, you can bathe every other day.

Bathing a baby is quite a challenging task. While still pregnant, it will be useful to study the necessary materials on how to properly bathe a newborn baby. Try to involve your husband in this process.

Helpers will never be superfluous. The baby will feel the care of both parents.

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

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

Peculiarities

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

A few decades ago, pediatricians categorically forbade bathing a child with an unhealed umbilical wound, opposed raw, unboiled water, and set many more fairly strict requirements and restrictions for parents.

Modern doctors look at bathing more democratically.

Parents with experience, as a rule, have significantly fewer difficulties during the first bath of a newborn at home than new mothers and fathers who received their first child just a few hours ago. Komarovsky advises maintaining Spartan calm. It is this that guarantees success in the difficult task of bathing the baby.

Preparation

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Should I bathe with an unhealed umbilical wound?

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

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

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

Massage

A massage before an evening swim is a very useful and important procedure, says Evgeniy Komarovsky. During stroking and patting, the blood supply to the muscles and skin improves, and the benefits will be even more noticeable if you bathe the baby immediately after the manipulations. All parents, without exception, can master a simple massage. To do this, you do not need to enroll in special courses.

Komarovsky recommends doing a light and soothing massage before a bath. First, with baby cream, the mother can easily massage the hands (stroking and circular movements, this should be done with the thumbs). Then the legs are massaged in the same way. The tummy is stroked clockwise with the palm or fingertips. Then the baby is laid on the tummy and the back is gently massaged - first in circular and arched movements, and then with light pats.

The mother's movements should not cause pain to the baby, he should not go to the bath too excited and screaming from the heart.

Water temperature

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

Some parents try to warm up the bathroom in advance by bringing heaters into it (especially in cases where the first bath at home occurs in winter). Komarovsky does not recommend doing this. The temperature in the bathroom should be approximately the same as in the rest of the apartment (optimal values are 18-20 degrees), and overheating the air in the bathing room is harmful.

For a good night's sleep, Komarovsky advises to practice swimming in cool water, the temperature of which is no higher than 32 degrees.

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

Komarovsky advises to take these figures rather conditionally. If a 1-month-old child calmly accepts swimming in water whose temperature is 24 degrees, there is nothing wrong with that. He sleeps soundly, rests well, worries less himself and allows his parents to sleep.

Time

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

A newborn does not have time to get so dirty that he needs to be bathed every day.

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

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

Herbs and decoctions

No matter what traditional healers say, it is best to coordinate any use of phytotherapeutic agents during bathing with the treating pediatrician. Grandmothers, of course, will advise bathing their granddaughter in a series more often or be sure to brew him nine strength, but the common sense of parents should be above all. If a child suffers from atopic dermatitis, has diaper rash, or has a (genetic) tendency to allergies, be sure to consult a doctor.

For healthy children, bathing with the addition of decoctions of medicinal herbs is a rather useful procedure, says Evgeniy Komarovsky. However, moderation is good in everything; you shouldn’t prepare herbal baths every day, and you should be more careful with the dosage of decoctions and infusions.

Naturally, it will not work to treat something with herbal infusions added to water, since this is impossible, says Dr. Komarovsky. But there won’t be much harm with moderate dosing.

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

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

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

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

Change the time of day.

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

Practice sharing baths with your baby.

Large bath

This can be done as early as 2-3 months, says Evgeniy Komarovsky. At first, a child can get comfortable in a large expanse of water with a circle around his neck. This is a special inflatable device with a recess for the chin and Velcro on the back of the neck. The baby is fixed in such a circle, his head is always above the water, and he can practice swimming on his back, stomach, and turning over on his own in the water. Usually this picture brings the baby’s parents into indescribable delight.

Since the newborn does not move much, it makes no sense to consider bathing as a hygienic procedure. Physiologically, the baby does not “get dirty”, since he does not yet walk through dirty puddles and does not sweat after two hours of playing on the playground.

All “contamination” of the baby comes down to the fact that the baby got dirty while satisfying physical needs - went to the toilet or burped. The mother copes with such problems by washing or washing the baby.

That's why Newborns do not need daily “bath” procedures using detergents.

We invite you to watch a video about whether you should bathe your baby daily:

Why do babies need water procedures - the opinion of Dr. Komarovsky

E. O. Komarovsky believes that bathing for up to six months serves three purposes:

hardening;
activation of energy expenditure;
ensuring deep and long night sleep.

The pediatrician emphasizes that you should not actively soap and wash the baby in hot water. This procedure actively destroys the fatty protective layer covering the skin. Subsequently, the baby’s skin becomes vulnerable and dry, and dermatitis appears.

A baby who cannot crawl should be bathed daily in a large bathtub in relatively cool, clean water without using soap or shampoo. Cool water will encourage the child to make active movements and expend energy. A gradual decrease in temperature (by 1⁰C weekly) stimulates the immune system. Bathing is carried out before the last evening feeding.

When can the first hardening procedure be performed? Pediatricians recommend doing this after the umbilical wound has healed.

Hygiene procedures are local in nature - soiled areas are washed or wiped separately.

Do I need to wash my baby every day in winter?

If the room where the child sleeps and bathes is maintained at a normal temperature (21⁰C), then the baby can be bathed daily. Such procedures will support the immune system, which is especially important during the cold season.

Until what age does a baby need daily bathing?

If we talk about what bathing is a hardening, energy-intensive procedure, and not washing in hot water with the active use of soap and washcloths, then there are no age restrictions, since hardening is a continuous process.

Benefits of the procedure

Bathing every night will ensure a healthy and sound night's sleep for your newborn. Every mother dreams of this. How is this effect achieved? A baby in a large bathtub with cool water is forced to move his arms and legs to avoid freezing. The child gets tired and his appetite awakens. After a long procedure (at least 15 minutes to start), the baby eats and falls asleep.

A gradual decrease in water temperature with regular bathing stimulates the body's defenses. If during the first procedures the water temperature is 33 - 34⁰С, then after two or three months the baby takes baths at a temperature of 25 - 26⁰С.

If the water in which the baby swims is clean (without salt, soda, potassium permanganate and foamy substances), bathing maintains a normal level of moisture in the baby's skin.

Why might it be harmful?

Regular bathing will not be beneficial if:

the water is too hot (above 36⁰С);
detergents with surfactants are used daily;
the child bathes in a small, cramped bath;
the baby is in an irritated or upset state during bathing;
the water is “disinfected” with potassium permanganate, soda, and salt;
The baby's skin is rubbed with a washcloth or sponge.

In the situations described, there is more harm from bathing than visible benefit. The child does not need active washing, since he practically does not perform any actions that cause sweating. But all the attributes of the “bath” procedure greatly dry out the skin. E the pidermis of a newborn is several times thinner and more vulnerable.

The skin has a special fatty film that protects the skin from external infection and moisture loss.

Hot soapy water in combination with a washcloth or drying “additives” washes away the lipid layer. The more often this happens, the faster the child will develop dermatitis - inflammation of the skin.

Contraindications

Whether or not to bathe a newborn and infant every day is decided by parents, based on the condition of the baby and contraindications to the procedure.

No bathing:

At elevated body temperature.
If there are wounds and pustules on the skin.
Within 1-3 days after vaccination.
With an unhealed umbilical wound (up to 10-12 days from the date of birth).

Parents decide whether it is worth bathing their baby every day. If the purpose of contact with water is to maintain hygiene, then it is not worth washing the child completely every day. 2-3 ablutions per week at a water temperature of 36⁰C are enough. In this case, it is quite acceptable to use a small baby bath.

But still, You shouldn't soap your newborn– warm water will perfectly wash away all kinds of “pollution”.

If parents decide to sleep at night and raise a healthy child, the following recommendations will help:

Bathe your baby daily in a large bathtub of cool water. Gradually increase bathing time to 30 minutes.
Temper your baby late in the evening, before the baby goes to bed at night.
Carry out water procedures before the last evening feeding. A well-fed and sleepy baby will not want to be “active” in the water.
Do not use potassium permanganate - a weak pink solution will not have any effect on the condition of the water, and a high concentration of the substance can lead to chemical burns.
Baking soda and salt “pull” moisture out of the skin.
Do not boil water - it is enough that a common water filter is installed in the apartment.
Don't worry that your child will freeze and catch a cold. Immunity deteriorates with age, from the creation of unhealthy greenhouse conditions and poor nutrition.
A newborn has every chance not to lose his protective powers, but to increase them. Bathe your baby in cool water.

Bathing a baby is an important element in promoting good health.. If you follow the rules, the baby will not know what frequent colds and weakened immunity are.

When a child turns one month old, he no longer needs to be bathed in a special baby bath, but rather can be used by an ordinary adult bathtub. But you need to wash it more thoroughly!

To do this, you can use soda, laundry soap or other products that are safe for the baby. True, most parents continue to use a baby bath even at 5 months, because it is more convenient and hygienic.

At this age, you can no longer boil water and use running water for the procedure. If an adult bathtub is used for bathing, you can install a children's slide or hammock in it. This will make the process of caring for the baby more convenient for parents, because in this case they will not have to bend too low over the bathtub. Yes and the baby will not slide while in a hammock or slide.

The temperature for water procedures should be reduced by one degree every week. And the duration is gradually increased to 10 minutes. The optimal water temperature for a baby aged one month is 36 degrees.

Basic things that young parents will need to bathe their baby:

Baby bath, slide or mattress. They will prevent the child from slipping during the procedure.
Thermometer for monitoring water temperature.
Special product for bathing. This can be baby soap (solid or liquid), baby shower gel. It could also be a special baby shampoo. It’s true that many parents wash their baby’s head with baby soap.
Special hypoallergenic foam for bathing. It will help make the procedure not only hygienic, but also very exciting. Parents decide on their own whether to buy such foam or not; this is not a mandatory attribute.
To care for your baby's delicate skin while bathing, you need a soft washcloth.
Nowadays you can easily find special sponges for babies, but soft terry mittens are also suitable for this purpose.
From a baby who is 1 month old, it is necessary to wash off soap suds. A small, lightweight ladle is perfect for this purpose. After all, both parents cannot always take part in caring for a child.
When choosing a towel, you need to ensure that it is very soft. Ideally, it is a terry towel with a hood. You can use it to carry your baby out of the bath and into the room to finish nursing.

May additionally be useful:

Baby cream or oil. After bathing, you need to moisturize your baby's delicate skin by treating it with baby cream or oil.
Baby powder if your baby has diaper rash.
Cotton pads to gently wipe the baby's face.
Special children's cotton swabs.

It is advisable to prepare all things in advance so as not to look for, for example, a towel at the most inopportune moment. And under no circumstances should you leave the baby alone, unattended.

Water procedures cannot be carried out if:

The child suffers from a disease with elevated body temperature.
Swimming is prohibited on the day of vaccination.

We invite you to watch a video about the opinion of the famous pediatrician Komarovsky:

How often can a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 month old baby and older have water procedures in the bathroom?

The duration of bathing gradually increases with the baby's age.. However, if the child cries, does not feel well, or something causes him discomfort, there is no need to keep him in the bath for the required time.

If the baby is restless and crying, it is better to finish the bath and calm the baby down.

Many young mothers are concerned about the question of how many times a day and how long can a child be in water at 2 months, 3 months, 5 months, 6 months, and so on? To fully satisfy curiosity, a table was created indicating the duration and frequency of bathing by month:

Age	Bathing frequency	Duration
2 months	daily	up to 10 minutes
3 months	daily	11-12 minutes
4 months	daily	12-13 minutes
5 months	daily	13-14 minutes
6 months	daily	up to 15 minutes
7 months	in one day	up to 20 minutes
8 months	in one day	up to 25 minutes
9 months	in one day	up to 27 minutes
10 months	in one day	up to 29 minutes
11 months	in one day	about 30 minutes
12 months	in one day	up to 40 minutes

Washing technique

For water procedures, special equipment is provided that will make bathing your baby safe and very enjoyable. Bathing technique is quite simple:

We invite you to watch a video on how to properly bathe your baby:

After the bathing procedure, you need to take the baby out of the bath and wrap him in a soft and warm terry towel or diaper. Then blot the baby’s skin without making any effort.

It is necessary to dry all the folds of the skin thoroughly. The ears can be dried with gauze or a cotton pad. The disk needs to be cut into 4 parts and each of them rolled into a flagellum. After that, each ear needs to be wiped several times, briefly leaving the flagellum inside the auricle. This is necessary so that excess moisture is completely absorbed. You can also remove water from your nose.

The wet towel should be removed and the baby should be placed on clean diapers. You should lubricate all folds of the skin with baby oil. To do this, you can soak a cotton pad in oil.

The inguinal and intergluteal folds should be treated with baby cream or a special diaper cream.

After this, you can leave the baby to lie naked for 10-15 minutes (the room should be warm enough for this) so that his skin can breathe. Further you can put on a diaper after using baby powder.

There is no need to put on a diaper immediately after bathing. In this case, diaper rash and prickly heat in the baby cannot be avoided.

We invite you to watch a video about what procedures should be carried out with your baby after bathing:

Most often, bathing brings pleasure to the baby. And if a child cries during or after bathing, then there may be reasons for this:

You can bathe your baby only 30-40 minutes after feeding. Otherwise, actively moving in the water, the child may vomit everything he eats. Or, let’s say, the baby was absolutely calm, but when they put him in the water, he started to go into hysterics.

The parents' bathing technology is not broken, but every time during the procedure the same thing is repeated - the loud crying of the baby. What needs to be changed? Since all children are individual, the solution must also be sought based on the characteristics of the baby.

The long-awaited little man appeared in the house. The parents waited 9 months for their child to appear. We prepared in advance: we read books on education and care, bought diapers and undershirts, and consulted with doctors. Taking a small helpless child in their arms, adults develop fear and fear of harming the baby. The greatest concern among parents is bathing a newborn baby.

Mom and dad are afraid that the baby will slip out during bathing. Many questions arise about how to wash a newborn baby. What can you do to make bathing beneficial and joyful, and not frightening for your baby? It is necessary to understand that water procedures, including bathing, are a very important part of care, which affects the physical and psycho-emotional state of the baby.

For comfortable bathing of the child and the convenience of parents, it is necessary to purchase a bathtub and special accessories that facilitate water procedures. Some doctors advise bathing your baby in a large bathtub, where the baby has more room to move. Still, it is better for a newborn baby to buy a special baby bath.

The procedure for bathing a baby in such a bath will not be difficult for young parents. In addition, in a container for children it is easier to control the condition of the baby and hold him. Currently, there is a huge selection of different types of baths:

Classic bath for children. Comfortable for baby and mother. A fairly safe option.
Anatomical. It differs from the classic version by the presence of special protruding parts that correspond to the baby’s physique. Very convenient for babies up to 3 months. Later, the bath will have to be changed, since the older baby will bump into protruding parts while bathing.
With an antimicrobial coating containing a special antimicrobial additive “microban”. This additive destroys more than 95% of harmful bacteria on the surface, it is not “washed out” and remains active for the entire service life of the bath, which does not require special disinfection. If your baby has sensitive skin or has allergic symptoms, a bathtub with an antimicrobial coating is best.
"Mommy's tummy." This type of baby bath is widespread in European countries. In Russia, such baths are not yet very popular. Outwardly, it looks like a pot-bellied, wide bucket. The baby in such a container is in the form of an embryo, which helps reduce stress from the procedure.
Thermo bath. The built-in thermometer also doubles as a water drain plug. Built-in container for liquid soap or shampoo. Sometimes there are two such containers. The thermometer is positioned in such a way that a child will not be able to pull out the plug.
Inflatable is a good option for a country holiday. Such containers require careful disinfection.

Once a bathtub has been selected, it is worth considering additional accessories that are definitely needed for this water procedure:

A special slide or hammock for a baby bath that holds the baby in a reclining state, with his head raised.
Jug or ladle with lid. Before starting the procedure, fill the container with water from the bath and set it aside a little. During bathing, the water in the jug will cool slightly and can be used to rinse the baby. Rinsing with slightly cooled water is one of the elements of hardening.
Water thermometer, if the bath does not have a built-in device.
Bathing products: baby shampoo, soap, oil for the delicate skin of the baby.
A piece of soft cloth or sponge.
Potassium permanganate solution.

The use of herbal infusions

Parents often wonder how exactly to bathe a newborn in herbal infusions?

Herbal infusions for bathing infants should be used strictly as prescribed by a doctor. If the child is healthy, then the use of herbs can be harmful to his health.

Indications for use:

Increased or decreased muscle tone.
Disturbances in the nervous system: anxiety, moodiness, irritability, as well as restless, intermittent sleep, frequent non-stop crying.
Reduced immunity, which leads to frequent illnesses.
Problems in the gastrointestinal tract: frequent colic, regurgitation, flatulence.
Diaper rash, sweat rash. Skin rashes and diseases: eczema, dermatitis, allergic rash.

Medicinal mixtures and herbs affect the functioning of many body systems not only when used internally, but also when used externally. The baby has no immunity. The little person is just beginning to form body systems that are defenseless against external unfavorable factors. Be sure to consult your doctor and do not make rash decisions that could harm the baby.

Contraindications:

The period before and after vaccination.
Manifestation of an allergic reaction to medicinal herbs.
Fever.
Any damage to the skin: wounds, scratches, ulcers, diaper rash, wet eczema.

If there are contraindications, any baths with medicinal herbs can harm the child. If the pediatrician has prescribed medicinal baths, then check which herbal infusions can be used. The doctor, depending on the diagnosis, will advise which herb should be used specifically for your child.

Chamomile is one of the most popular medicinal herbs. Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, soothing, and also used to correct muscle tone and relieve skin irritations.
Sequence - to eliminate the causes of seborrheic crusts. They are also used to treat almost all types of skin rashes and diseases.
Calming: valerian, motherwort, mint, lavender.

There are herbs to treat colic and reproductive system problems. How to brew decoctions, make infusions, how much to add to the bath - do not decide all these questions on your own. Be sure to check with specialists so as not to harm the baby.

When can I bathe?

Ensuring the cleanliness of the baby is one of the important tasks of caring for the baby. The children's room should also be clean. Every morning for a newborn begins with hygiene procedures. Mommy cleans the baby's eyes, ears, nose, and wipes the baby's body with wet wipes or a soft damp cloth.

Through the navel, an infection can enter the baby’s body and cause illness. That is why, for approximately 10 to 14 days, doctors advise not to bathe the baby in the bathtub until the umbilical wound has healed: wiping is enough. They wash the babies under a tap with running water, holding them in one hand, and with the other they direct a stream of water away from the genitals.

Benefits of bathing

Bathing a newborn baby is not only about ensuring hygienic cleanliness. This procedure has a huge impact on the psycho-emotional and intellectual development of the baby. During bathing, all muscles relax, hypertonicity is relieved, gross motor skills develop, and the body is hardened. All nerve receptors react positively to the aquatic environment. The baby's motor functions are improving. Positive emotions, vivid impressions - all this has a positive effect on the nervous system.

The baby is less capricious and sleeps more soundly. Water relieves pain caused by colic in the abdomen. The emotional closeness of the child and parents during bathing creates the prerequisites for the successful socialization of the baby.

You must select a specific time. Each family chooses its own bathing time, taking into account the peculiarities of the baby’s daily routine and taking into account the interests of adults.

Several requirements must be met:

You should not bathe immediately after feeding, so that the baby does not regurgitate everything.
The child should not be hungry during the procedure, otherwise he will be capricious.
Most often, the procedure is carried out in the evening, before the penultimate feeding.
For children with pronounced hyperactivity, bathing has a stimulating effect. For such children, it is better to schedule the procedure for the day.

First bath

Finally, the umbilical wound healed, and the doctor allowed me to bathe the baby. The child’s attitude towards this type of water procedure often depends on the first experience, so prepare in advance. Let's consider step by step how to bathe a newborn baby for the first time.

Getting ready for swimming:

Bathing procedure:

So, everything is ready for the bath. Undress the baby. Let the baby lie quietly for a few minutes and take air baths. Give a light massage, gently stroking the baby's arms, legs, and tummy.
To prevent the fool from getting scared, put on a thin diaper. The fabric will gradually get wet and envelop the body: the baby will be cozy and comfortable.
Gradually lower the baby's legs into the water, holding the head and shoulders with one hand, and holding the baby's bottom with the other. This way you will secure the baby and he will not slip out of your hands.
The water should reach the top of the baby's chest. The head lies on the elbow, for example, of dad. The first bath lasts no more than 3 minutes. When the baby is dipped into the water, the process itself begins.
Wash your face gently with a cotton pad without soap. First, wash the body, moving from top to bottom. Wash the baby's body with your hand or a soft cloth.
The hair is washed last. You can soap the head, and rinse the soap from the forehead towards the back of the head, so that the detergent does not get into the eyes, and water into the ears.
The baby at this age does not move much, so thoroughly wash all the folds of the neck and perineum. Unclench your fists and wash your palms.
Gently rinse off the soap and shampoo. To rinse, remove the baby from the water and place it upside down on your left arm. Rinse the baby from a nearby ladle with prepared water. Throw a soft towel on top and wrap it up.
You should not dry your skin with a towel, as it is very thin, and a rough towel can damage it. The child is simply blotted with a thin cloth and the skin is allowed to dry. After bathing, lubricate the skin with baby cream on the folds and folds.

For the first 6 months, the procedure must be carried out daily. The time gradually increases from 2 minutes to 30 minutes. After the first procedure, young parents are already more confident in their abilities. Now you can play with the foolish little one in the water: raise and lower the legs and arms one by one. Be sure to talk to your baby when you bathe him.

While dad holds the child in his arms, mom can unclench her fingers one by one, while telling a little count or nursery rhyme. The baby responds well to a calm, familiar voice.

After swimming

After a correctly carried out process, the child is in a good mood, he is tired and wants to sleep.

The first fears and doubts among parents disappear within a few days. But children know how to surprise adults. Sometimes parents complain that the baby loved to swim, but now there are constant tantrums. To understand how to properly bathe a newborn baby in a bathtub, sometimes it is enough to observe his behavior.

Adults often make the water hotter, forgetting that infants have almost no thermoregulation system. A fool can feel comfortable at a water temperature of 30 - 32 degrees. When the mother, following the instructions from the books, achieves a temperature of 37 degrees, such a lover of “colder” water will throw hysterics, cry, and break out of her arms.
Shampoos and detergents should not be used more than 2 times a week. If the baby is healthy and the skin is clean, then do not be afraid to wash the baby with plain water.
Some parents take their babies with them to the bathhouse. High humidity, intense heat in the bathhouse - all this can lead to overheating of the little person’s body. It is especially dangerous when adults, to harden a baby, cut a hole in the ice, and after a hot bath, dip the baby into ice water. This type of hardening is available to big kids, but not to infants.
Boys and girls should be bathed taking into account the characteristics of their genitals. Wash the girl in the direction from the genitals to the butt. This is due to underdeveloped labia, through which infection can enter the vagina. For boys, it is important not to open the foreskin so that the process of fusion does not begin. The genitals should be washed with plain water without using shampoos.
You can also learn how to properly bathe a newborn baby in groups of young parents who share their experiences. In such groups you can get advice backed up by practice.

Children's fears and their causes

If after some time the baby's behavior changes dramatically, he may be scared. Talk to your doctor or review your and your child's behavior.

The baby often slips and falls in the bathtub. The reason may be an uncomfortable bath. You can correct the situation by placing a diaper folded several times on the bottom.
Refuses to wash his hair. Perhaps one day the shampoo got into the baby's mouth. Wash your hair with plain water for several days to calm your baby down. Subsequently, take a little shampoo and make sure that it does not get into your eyes and mouth.
Afraid to go deeper. Trying to jump out of the water. The reason may be that he once drank too much water in the bath. To correct this situation, pour less water. Distract with conversations and songs when adding water from the jug.
Parents talk loudly and in harsh voices, quarrel during bathing. The fool picks up the intonations, a nervous mood is conveyed to him, and as a result, the baby begins to be afraid to swim.

Most of the children's fears of water are associated with the inattention of adults.

Alexandra is a regular expert on the PupsFull portal. She writes articles about games, pregnancy, parenting and learning, child care and the health of mother and child.

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