Bathing a newborn is a great time for both of you to bond and enjoy. However, it comes with several risks. Therefore, caution is advised when bathing a baby. Here are six fool-proof bathing tips that you should keep in mind.
Never Leave the Baby Unattended
Never leave the infant unattended even for a minute. Newborns can drown in as little as one inch of water. Therefore, before you dip the kid into the water, gather all the items that you need, such as soap, towels, clean clothes and diapers. Besides, always hold the baby with one hand when he or she is in water. Should your phone or doorbell ring in the middle of bathing the baby, scoop the baby with a towel and go with him to the door. It may take less than a minute for you to lose the baby.
Always Bathe the Child in Warm Water
Ensure that the bathroom where the kid takes a bath is warm (at around 25 degrees C). This is because babies get chilled very quickly especially after you remove their clothes. In addition, ensure that the bathwater is comfortably warm. Use the inside of your elbow or your wrist to make certain that the water is comfortably warm. But remember, babies prefer a much cooler bath than grown-ups do and their skin is much more likely to burn than adults.
Ensure that the Water is not Too Deep
Feel the bathtub to only about four inches of water. The water should not be more than waist-high when the baby is seated in the water. In addition, avoid bathing the child in running water. There is a risk that the water temperature may change or the water will get too deep for them. Also, babies are not accustomed to the noise of rushing water and may feel very uncomfortable.
Make the Bathtub Safe for the Kid
Bathtubs can get very slippery, which increases the chances that the baby will slip and hit the sides. You can prevent such accidents from happening by fitting the bathtub with a rubber bath mat. The mat also ensures secure seating. You may also cushion the spout with a rubber cover to prevent the baby from bumping themselves on it. Alternatively, you may purchase a baby bathtub. The tub comes with all the necessary safety features – it is of the right size and is stable.
Use Baby-friendly Products
You can wash a newborn with plain water for as long as you wish as long as you take care of the folds of his or her skin. Some dermatologists even recommend using only plain water until the age of 1 year old. When purchasing soap, go for certified baby types as they are mild and do not irritate the skin. Adult bathing soaps and shampoos can dry the skin or even cause rashes. Finally, avoid letting the child sit for too long in soapy water as it may cause irritations. You can play at the start of the bath and only use soap when you are ready to get them out of the water.
Be Careful with the Water Heater
Set the water heater temperature to about 50 degrees C. You should aim to have the bathwater at around 38 degrees, roughly body temperature. Your child can get third-degree burns from water that is over 60 degrees C in just one second. It’s worth turning down the temperature on the water heater, as it is rare you will need water which is so hot.
The child should also not touch the tap as it may still be hot. Besides, keep all electric appliances such as curling irons and hair dryers away from the bathroom to avoid risks of electrocution should the appliance fall into the tub or burns in case the baby touches the devices when they are still hot.