There is no doubt that newborns smell good. You just can’t get enough of how pleasant and sweet an infant smells in their first few weeks. A study on the odor of newborns shows that smelling an infant induces brain activity that stimulates reward-related behavior.

As good as they smell though, your baby will still need to take a bath. And although you are excited and look forward to giving your newborn his or her first bath, you might have no idea how to go about it.

Fret not, moms. We have collected essential doula knowledge to share regarding giving babies their first bath.

Let’s get to it!

 

When should you give your baby their first bath?

According to the World Health Organization, babies should be given their first bath 24 hours after delivery. As much as you would like to give your baby a bath earlier, listen to the WHO! The reason for this is so that your baby’s body temperature and blood sugar are regulated.

It will also increase the chance of you succeeding at breastfeeding, meaning that you will have a better bond with your child. Once that’s done, you can proceed to the bathing portion.

 

Is it hard to give a newborn baby a bath?

The first bath is always the hardest. Giving babies a bath, especially newborns, require a certain level of know-how and skill.

Secondly, newborns are tiny and fragile. You will have to take great pains to make sure you hold your newborn the right way. Things become much more complicated during a bath because the baby will become wet and soapy.

Take heart new moms. We are confident that even if the first steps in bathing your infant are tentative ones, you will soon get the hang of it.

 

What should you know about giving a bath for the first time?

What should you keep in mind when giving your newborn their first bath? The following are baby bath tips we have gathered from experienced postpartum doulas:

 

Only give your newborn a sponge bath.

For a newborn’s first bath, a sponge bath is in order. It will be that way until their umbilical cord stump falls off. For male babies who have been circumcised, a sponge bath is also recommended until it heals.

A sponge bath is a gentle and loving way of establishing a hygiene routine with newborns. Remember that infants are still transitioning and getting used to the environment in the outside world. We want that transition to be a positive experience for babies through gentle bathing.

 

You don’t have to give your newborn a bath every day. 

Your newborn does not need to be given a bath daily. Up to three times a week is a good start to establishing a baby’s bath hygiene.

In between bathing, a damp gentle washcloth will do to clean a baby’s face, neck, or diaper area. These are parts of their bodies that easily get dirty. 

 

There is no best time for a bath.

 Some moms find it convenient to give babies a bath in the morning when babies are awake and alert. Other moms prefer to do it at night to establish early on their newborn’s nighttime routine.

You can try either time and settle for a schedule that works both for you and your baby. Consider also when you feel that your baby is most comfortable – that’s when you can give them a bath.

A reminder: if plan to give your baby a bath after feeding, make sure enough time has passed for the baby’s tummy to settle!

 

Be patient.

As we mentioned earlier, it won’t be easy giving your newborn a bath. It might even take plenty of time, which will, of course, eat away time from other things you’d like to do or need to do. 

However, you have to be patient and accept that your newborn won’t be cooperative all the time. So, set aside about thirty minutes for your baby’s bath time to ensure you have enough time.

The first ten minutes can be for preparation to make sure all bath essentials are in place. The next 5-10 minutes can be for the baby’s bathing. The remaining time is for babies to get into a set of fresh and warm clothes to make them relaxed and comfy.

 

Have all bath essentials within reach.

Make a list of all of your baby’s bath essentials and that they are all in place before your newborn takes his or her first bath. Here’s a list of things you need for the baby’s bath:

• Padding for hard surfaces (such as a towel)
• A bowl or tub of warm water
• A pair of soft washcloths
• A clean diaper
• Change of clothes
• Cotton wipes
• Rinsing cup

During your baby’s first bath, it is not necessary to use either soap or shampoo. But if you consider these as bath essentials, using fragrance-free baby shampoo and soap with no chemical additives is best.

 

Give your 100% focus on bathing newborns.

During bath time, moms should keep their full attention and focus on their newborns. Under no circumstances should you leave your baby alone even for a second. This is to ensure that the baby is safe at all times.

If there are calls, chores, or errands that you need to do, it is better to do it before or after the baby’s bath. This is also the reason why we need to have all bath essentials in place to avoid running out for a second. You never know what could happen even if you step out of the room for just a bit.

Better be safe than sorry! 

 

Your baby will eventually outgrow the sponge.

Soon enough, your infant will outgrow a sponge bath. As you transition to bathing using a plastic tub or a sink, keep these things in mind:

• Make sure to keep the water level at around 2 inches to keep the parts of babies’ bodies that need washing wet, but not submerged. Also, keep the water temperature in the tub or sink to about 100.4F for a comfy bath for the baby.

• Securely and comfortably place baby in the tub using your non-dominant hand, feet first. A baby’s head and neck should be out of the water at all times. You can also wash the baby’s face first before taking off their clothes to keep them comfortably warm.

• Avoid bath products that have chemicals as these are harsh for a baby’s soft skin and may dry their skin. When rinsing your baby’s head after shampoo, cover their eyes with your hands to keep them safe from shampoo suds.

 

Need bathing help? 

With these tips gathered from experienced doulas, we wish new moms confidence in giving their babies their first bath, and in the succeeding ones too! You can do it! We’re rooting for you!

However, if you still feel you need help with bathing, don’t hesitate to contact us at Doulas of the Valley. We will be more than happy to assist you and ensure the safety and comfort of your newborn.

Reach out to us today! We look forward to hearing from you!