Visit our Canada siteBy Adrienne Sarmiento-Buenaventura
For new moms, giving their newborn baby a bath can be a daunting task, but it need not be a cause of stress.
THE QUESTION OF WHEN
According the the World Health Organization (WHO), “bathing should be delayed until after 24 hours of birth. If this is not possible due to cultural reasons, bathing should be delayed for at least six hours.” The minimum time recommended is between 6-8 hours after birth, and suggested that the bath be done with the parents involved so that they learn the process and limit separation. It is emphasized that the baby gets back to skin-to-skin position with either parent immediately after to minimize the effects from the cold.
Delaying the first bath encourages the following:
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Successful breastfeeding
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Enhances bonding
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Facilitates early skin-to-skin care
It is recommended that appropriate clothing of the baby for temperature maintenance. The mother and baby should not be separated and should stay in the same room 24 hours a day.
Consider the following:
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Your Baby’s SAFETY and Bath Supplies
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Bathing the baby in a tub of water should not be done until the baby’s umbilical cord has fallen off, and until a baby boy’s circumcision heals. Choose a stable tub, basin, or clean sink with a non-slip cover at the bottom. If you are using a baby bathtub, choose one that meets Consumer Product Safety Standards. Sponge baths are needed in the beginning.
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Make sure you have all your bath supplies within close reach, making sure that you keep your eyes on your baby at all times.
Supplies/bath essentials include:
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Baby towels (a hooded towel is optional)
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Soft washcloths
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Non-irritating baby shampoo and baby soap
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Clean diapers and clothing
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Thick towels or sponge-type bath cushions
3. HOW TO GIVE YOUR BABY A SPONGE BATH:
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Never take your hands or eyes off the baby, even for a moment. If you have forgotten something, take him or her with you.
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The room should be warm, without drafts (about 75 degrees Fahrenheit)
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Add warm water to a clean sink or basin (warm to the inside of your wrist or elbow).
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Place your baby on a bath cushion or thick towels on a surface that is comfortable for you.
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Keep the baby’s body covered with a blanket or towel.
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Take a clean washcloth or cotton ball moistened with water to wipe each each, starting at the bridge of the nose then wiping out to the corner of the eye.
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Continue washing the baby’s face with the clean, moist washcloth without soap.
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Gently clean the outside folds of the ears with a soft washcloth. Do not insert a cotton swab into the baby’s ear canal because of the risk of damage to the eardrum.
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Use a pea-sized amount of non-irritating baby liquid soap to the water or washcloth and gently bathe the rest of the baby’s body from the neck down. Uncover only one area at a time so the baby wouldn’t feel cold. Rinse with a clean washcloth or a small cup of water. Make sure to avoid getting the umbilical cord wet. You may massage the baby’s arms and legs with gentle strokes, not scrub.
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Once the baby’s body is clean, wrap him in a warm towel before proceeding to wash his hair.
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Pour a small amount of baby shampoo on a washcloth and wash the baby’s head last, and rinse, making sure not to let the water run over the baby’s face. Hold the baby firmly with your arm under his or her back, with your wrist supporting his or her neck. You can use a high faucet or a spray attachment to rinse his hair, but make sure the water is warm.
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Wrap the baby in a towel and cuddle him close.
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Follow your baby’s healthcare provider’s instructions on cord care.
4. When giving your newborn baby a bath in a tub, clear the counter or table top of any breakable objects and electrical appliances to avoid injury. Test the water using your elbow to see if it is warm and not hot. Follow the general bathing instructions for a sponge bath.
About the author
Adrienne Sarmiento-Buenaventura is a freelance writer and singer-songwriter, with two professional albums as a recording artist. She is a staunch advocate of Original Filipino Music and hands-on parenthood. She sings with her band WINK* and is a worship leader at church. She loves creative collaboration, quirky vintage finds, poetry, a well-prepared meal, and traveling with her husband and two children. When asked what she does for a living, she says, “I use my authentic voice to supply interesting and insightful content that influences and inspires people to get excited, think and move. I ask the right questions and make use of my unique resources, and I do this with focus, passion, and integrity.”
Sources:
“Delayed Bathing.” International Childbirth Education Association Position Paper on Delayed Bathing. https://icea.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ICEA-Position-Paper-Delayed-Bathing-PP.pdf
“Bathing and Skin Care For The Newborn.” Stanford Children’s Health, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=bathing-and-skin-care-for-the-newborn-90-P02628
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