What should we keep in mind when bathing a newborn

Are you looking forward to that first bath at home with the whole family. The first time often feels like a rite of passage for new parents, and many happily accept help from experienced grandmothers who are delighted to be part of the moment.
Holding and moving a tiny, completely dependent newborn can feel a little worrying in the first few days, but the routine comes very quickly.

There are only a few key things to focus on. With a mix of instinctive care and a few good tips, looking after your baby soon becomes second nature.

What do we need for a newborn bath

• Baby bath

• Bath thermometer

• Cotton hooded towel or soft towel

• Clean water

• Nappy cream and nappies

• Soft baby hairbrush

• Clothes

• Baby wash if needed

The ideal environment for bathing 

The most important points are air and water temperature. The water is ideal at 37 °C, and the room should be around 24 °C.
Check the water temperature before you put your baby in, as the bath surface or a delay while getting ready can cool it down. In a small baby bath, a 5 to 6 cm water depth is enough so the umbilical stump is not submerged.

How to hold your baby and place them in the bath

This simple hold is both easy and safe.
Reach your left arm under your baby’s neck and hold their left upper arm. This lets you support the upper body and the still-wobbly head with one hand. With your other hand, slide under their bottom and gently lower them into the bath.

Be mindful to lift and lower your baby slowly and smoothly. This applies to any change of position. We naturally tend to move quickly, but the sudden feeling of being lifted up then going down can be scary for a newborn.

Babies generally like water, since they spent months in a fluid environment in the womb. If they seem unhappy at first, it is usually because the position and the activity feel unfamiliar. There is no need to worry, they will soon enjoy bath time and, once they recognise it as part of the evening routine, you will see them looking forward to it.

The right way to bathe a newborn 

In the first weeks there is no need for a long bath, a few minutes is enough.

In the bath a newborn should lie down, not sit. Keep the hold described above throughout. You will find it comfortable and secure for both of you. Rest their bottom on the base of the bath so your right hand is free for washing. Make sure the umbilical stump does not go under water. It should not be soaked, though a little splash will not cause problems.

Start by washing the upper body first, including head and face. If you gently stroke the face with wet fingers, your baby will get used to it and the movement will feel familiar. Clean behind the ears every time, as newborn ears lie close to the head and that area does not ventilate well.

Like the ears, the fold under the chin is harder to reach, so give it a few gentle wipes. When washing the limbs one by one, pay attention to the folds and creases, such as armpits, behind the knees, groin folds, between the toes and those cute thigh rolls. Then use light strokes over the tummy.

Newborn and infant hair is still sparse and fine. You are really cleaning the scalp, which may get sweaty during the day or have a little milk dribble. You do not need shampoo. Clean your baby’s head every day with plain water. There is no need to pour water directly onto the head in the newborn period, just use the same gentle strokes you use on the rest of the body.

Start using baby shampoo when the hair is thicker or when it actually gets dirty. Even for babies born with a lot of hair, water alone is enough in the newborn stage.

How to turn your baby onto their tummy in the bath 

When you want to wash the bottom and back, you can turn your baby onto their tummy. Hold your baby with both hands under the armpits so that they are facing you, supporting the back of the head lightly with your fingers so it does not flop backwards.

Turn them onto their tummy without dipping the face into the water by sliding your left hand under the chest and lifting them slightly. It does not matter if the head tilts a little forward. Forward tilt is fine, backward flop is not.
Many babies feel more comfortable in this position than on their back. With your left hand holding them, wash the back, neck folds, bottom and legs with your right hand.

What bathing products should we use 

Whenever possible, choose natural ingredient products made specifically for newborns and infants. In the early weeks, plain water is ideal for cleansing delicate skin. If you would like to use a product on the nappy area, read the ingredients carefully and choose those intended for babies from reputable pharmacies and shops.

After the bath 

Drying and dressing 

Place your baby on a cotton hooded towel or very soft baby towel and gently pat all over. Pay attention to the skin folds so they do not stay damp.

Drying wet baby hair 

After bathing, gently blot water from the head with a towel, taking care not to press on the soft spot. When the hair is just slightly damp, it will dry quickly in the warm room you have set for bath time.

The right way to keep ears clean 

Handle a baby’s ears with care. Cotton bud tips can push earwax deeper towards the eardrum. Removal from there requires a professional and, while not usually painful, can be quite unpleasant for a child. The cotton tip can also come loose, which is difficult to remove, and the stick can poke if the cotton slips, causing injury.

What is the role of earwax.
Glands produce earwax to protect the ear canal skin. In principle there is no need to remove it, because the body moves excess wax outwards on its own. If wax seems to build up excessively, it may point to an underlying issue.

How can a cotton bud be used at all.
Do not push wax inwards. Only wipe away what is visible at the entrance for cosmetic reasons. For babies you can safely use a thin, twisted, damp cotton cloth to clean the outer folds.

How do we care for the umbilical stump

Protocols have changed frequently in recent years because some methods turned out to be unhelpful. For current recommendations, ask your health visitor or GP.

The final steps after a bath are nappy change and dressing.

Sources:

NHS — Washing and bathing your baby

NHS — Getting to know your newborn (Umbilical cord care).