A Guide to Bathing Your Baby

A Comprehensive Guide to Bathing Your Baby

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

For the uninitiated who have never attempted to wash a wriggling baby in a tub before, allow me to enlighten you. The viscosity of a slippery baby can be likened to a piece of soap–the wetter they get, the harder it is to keep your grip.

No matter what age your baby is, managing bathtime can be daunting, even to experienced mums and if you have two littlies then it ramps up another level again! Thankfully Baby Train are the experts in bath time bliss. Allow me to provide a step-by-step guide to washing a baby along with some hints and tips which may make the whole experience more enjoyable for both of you. Before we begin, a warning.

Never leave babies of any age unattended in a bath. Babies and toddlers can drown in mere inches of water and the risk of serious burns from hot taps is always present.

Newborn

Newborns present unique problems when bathing, as their muscle tone hasn’t yet developed to allow them to sit up or control their head and neck.

Our Stokke Flexi Bath Newborn Support pictured above, is the ideal solution as it provides the ability to control baby, minimising the risk of them slipping out of your hands. Just place it within a larger bath or tub and you are ready to begin.

Our Top Tips Include:

There is no need to wash newborns every day. Two or three times a week should suffice.
Make sure the room is warm as newborns lose heat quickly.
While still clothed, wash baby’s face; gently wiping over eyelids with a damp cotton ball.
Keep everything you need close to hand:
- Gentle ‘non-soap’ cleanser
- Face washer
- Towel
- Clean nappy
- Clothes
Prepare the water in the tub before placing baby in.
Water temperature should be 36 C - warm but never hot. Check out our handy Safety First bath thermometer which doubles as a gorgeous rubber ducky.
Run the cold tap briefly before placing baby in the bath to avoid hot water drips.
Use a soft washcloth to gently clean creases, underarms and hair; carefully avoiding water from dripping into baby’s eyes.
Keep bath time short at this age.
Once the bath is over, dry baby well, paying extra attention to folds and neck creases to avoid fungal infections.

Older Babies

Once baby can sit up, they may find bath time a more enjoyable experience and toys can be introduced. The Stokke Flexi bath (pictured) is an ideal solution to bath time as it folds up flat for easy storage and has a drain to allow for fast emptying. Boasting a comfortable non-slip surface, it can minimise the risk of baby slipping.

Our Top Tips Include:

Use the tips above for newborns as a guide to water temperature and safety.
Avoid baths with flick mixer taps as these are too easy for little hands to accidentally operate.
Use only baby-safe, natural products on baby’s sensitive skin.
Wash baby at the end of the bath to avoid her sitting in soapy water for too long.
Never use soap products on genitals. Clean water will do the job.
Store electrical appliances well away from bathtubs as they present an electrocution hazard.
The Safety First toy bag with secure suction caps, is a great way to store toys and playthings between baths.
An occasional bath with mum or dad can be a wonderful treat for babies but it is wise to have another adult on hand to assist with getting them in and out of the tub.

Once baby has acclimated to the bathing ritual, it can be one of the most delightful, bonding times for parents. Take a browse through the Baby Train website to discover the comprehensive array of products we have on offer to enhance the parenting experience–from bath time to bed time and everything in between...

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