| Ten tips for baby bath time funFriday, 18 November 2005 Enjoying baby bath timeBabies know a good thing when they see it, and most babies love a nice bath. It·s warm, it·s soothing, and it·s relaxing. And because babies love skin-to-skin contact, bathing offers another great opportunity for warm interaction between you and your little one.Ten tips for good, clean bath time fun1) How often should baby have a bath? Check with your midwife; more than likely, she won·t recommend a daily bath for your newborn. The frequency depends on your climate, your baby·s health, and the time of year. Sponge baths are a good idea until baby is about 6 weeks old. Use warm water and a soft cloth to clean all those baby parts that need special attention·first the face and then the neck, hands, and diaper area. Of course, bathe more often as the situation requires·after all, babies can get a bit messy. When your baby starts to eat solid foods (at around 4 months), you·ll need to bathe her more often.2) Sponge-bathe your baby until the umbilical cord falls off. If your baby boy is circumcised, it is advisable to wait until the circumcision has healed (about 10 days) before giving him his first full bath.3) Temperature counts and babies· skins are very sensitive to heat. Your baby can·t regulate her body temperature as well as you can, so always bathe her in a warm room. The optimum temperature for your baby·s bath should be 37 degrees centigrade (which is about 99 degrees Fahrenheit). To check if water is too warm, using your elbow is still the best way to test the water. You can also use a baby thermometer to check this. Knowing the right temperature for baby·s bath is something you will get used to as you become a pro in giving baby a bath.4) Get a good grip. A wet baby is a slippery baby, so use both hands to bathe him. Watch for her natural startled reaction to the water, which may cause her to slip out of your grasp. To keep baby from slipping in the sink or tub, lay a towel beneath her to act as a soft bath mat.5) Choose a mild soap and shampoo. A newborn·s skin is very sensitive, so use only gentle soaps. These are better for baby's skin during the first year or so. Avoid using oils, lotions, and other toiletries on your baby unless a doctor recommends them. Use soap sparingly and avoid scrubbing. Don't use adult shampoo on your baby. The no-tears advertisements for baby shampoos are for real. 6) Be prepared. Collect soap, towels, and other bath items so they·re close at hand before you begin a bath. 7) Hair care. Until your baby is several months old, shampoo her hair about once a week. (Click here to read more about washing baby·s hair). Use a mild no-tears shampoo, and place a washcloth on her forehead to help keep drips out of her eyes. Of course, if your baby has lots of hair, shampoo whenever necessary, but try not to over do it.8) Cradle-cap care. For the first few months, you may notice little flakes on your baby·s scalp that are caused by cradle cap. (Click here to read more about cradle cap) Simply remove the flakes by gently brushing her hair with a soft brush after you·ve lathered it with shampoo. Then rinse.9) Pat dry. When tub time is done, bundle up baby in a clean, soft towel, and dry her off by gently patting (not rubbing) her skin and hair. Then take a deep breath and enjoy the wonderful fresh smell of your little one.10) Water safety. Never leave your baby alone in any amount of water·even for a second. Warn siblings against turning on the taps while baby is in the tub or sink to avoid accidental burns. If you can·t just let the answering machine do its job, take a cordless phone into the bathing area so you can answer calls without leaving your baby·s sight. (Be sure to stay away from the bathtub with the phone.) Never leave your baby in a tub unattended, regardless of how little water is in it
 | Baby Information |  | |
|
