Taking a bath is a process where people feel good and purify themselves. Regarding the bathroom, we prefer the best products, from shampoos to shower gels. We are trying to turn the bathroom activity, which is a necessity, into the most enjoyable and create a peaceful environment.
Even though tiny hands that live in water in their mother’s womb grew up in the water when they were born, bathing is a new activity for them like everything else in the world. The bathing activity we envy for ourselves is equally important for babies—a quality bath with parents doubling the baby’s enjoyment and peace of mind.
But when it comes to bathing, many parents inevitably panic. However, co-bath is one of the most enjoyable activities you will spend together with your baby. We will talk about many things such as how to co-bath and what to pay attention to.
This article is for you for all parents who are worried about bathing with their babies or want to make this enjoyable time more beautiful. If you are ready, let’s enjoy taking a bath with our babies.
Babies and Bath
If your baby, whom you have been waiting to hold in your arms for 9 months, has now taken his first step into the world, bathing is a process that should take place in his life. This is because the skin of our little ones who open their eyes to the world is covered with a protective substance called vernix caseosa. This substance balances the body temperature of babies, moisturizes their skin, and provides protection against infections until they take their first bath.
Therefore, babies do not need to be bathed as soon as they are born. Instead, taking a co-bath 1 day after the umbilical cord is cut will be better. Because taking a bath before the umbilical cord falls off can delay the fall of the cord and cause infection.
You can take a wiping bath if you want to clean before the umbilical cord falls off. The wiping bath is done by gently wiping the baby’s face and body with shampoo and a small towel. The water you use in the wiping bath should also be neither cold nor hot for your baby.
If the umbilical cord has fallen off, you can regularly co-bath. Of course, we do not mean it is every day by order. It is 2 or 3 times a week that will be enough for babies. Since we have passed the first stages of our baby‘s birth, let’s talk about the details of bathing with a newborn baby.
Bathing with a Newborn
Bathing a newborn can be scary at first for parents. The people around us can offer different ideas about the bathroom. It can make us panic by confusing our minds with different ideas. But fear not, co-bath is not as difficult and scary as you think. Rather easy and fun.
Before co-bath, we recommend that you remove accessories such as rings, watches, and bracelets. Since babies’ skin is sensitive, you may unintentionally hurt your baby. Afterward, you can make your work easier by preparing the room temperature where you will shower your baby and the necessary materials in advance.
You can wash your baby on the bath net attached to the baby tub. If you do not have a bath net, you can take a bath by laying a bath sponge or a thin towel in the tub. While the amount of water you will put in the tub will be 5 cm above the tub, the temperature of the water should be 37 – 38 degrees on average.
After removing your child’s clothes, hold the head with one hand while holding the bottom of the baby with the other hand and slowly insert it into the tub. While holding in contact with water with one arm, slowly pour water over his body with your other hand to get used to the water.
Next, while facing you, pour a baby-friendly life body shampoo. Talk to your child and wash his torso, legs, arms, and feet with the shampoo washcloth with gentle movements. In the meantime, turning on soothing music can be good for you and your child.
After you wash your child’s body, you can proceed with the rinsing process and cleaning the head area.
One of the most feared points when bathing a newborn is how to wash his head. But do not be afraid; it is no different from other transactions. Before washing your baby’s head, slightly elevate your baby and pour the shampoo on his head. After shampooing and washing his head gently, run the foamy water from the back of his head so that it does not come to his face. Here we are through the hardest parts of it.
After the shampooing and rinsing process, you can finish the bath by pouring it from the baby’s head to the body while making the final rinse.
We want to point it out again in case you haven’t noticed. In the baby bath, we wash the body first because the most sensitive parts of babies are their heads, where they are over pale and cold. So, therefore, the first body is cleaned in the baby bath, and then the head is cleaned.
Let’s talk about bathing with babies, drying after it, and the points to be considered.
Drying and Care for Co-bath
After a peaceful and enjoyable co-bath, the drying process is just as important. After making sure that your baby’s rinsing process is completely over, lay your baby on an organic towel and wrap him. Take your child to his room and put him to bed. As with washing, start with the head area in the drying process.
Afterward, dry the body with gentle movements before opening the wrapped towel. Be careful not to leave a damp area during the drying process. Because in moist areas, you may encounter negative side effects on the skin, such as fungus.
Speaking of drying, you can put a thin muslin cloth inside your baby’s towel. The muslin cloth will provide convenience when drying the child’s ear folds, behind the ears, eyes, and between the fingers. Drying after the bath is just as simple. If your child’s skin is dry, you can moisturize your baby’s body by massaging with natural oils recommended by your doctor. Do not forget to comb your child’s hair with a soft brush after the massage.
In addition, care should be taken in the eye and mouth care after bathing and should not be skipped. Along with this care, nail care is also very important. If your baby has long nails, germs can injure him.
We talked about how our babies should be bathed and the drying process. Next, let’s talk about the tricks you need to pay attention to when it comes to bathing.
Co-bath Tips
Bathing is a routine that relaxes and calms babies. Making this routine more neat and suitable for your baby will also relax and calm you. That’s why we will talk about the tricks of bathing together.
1- Before washing, ensure that the water you use is clean. If necessary, you can boil the water and wait for it to reach the appropriate temperature.
2- Bath time should be between 5 and 10 minutes. You can extend this period after 6 months.
3- Before co-bath, you must pay attention to the feeding time. Giving your child a bath will be healthier and more efficient, especially in the period between full hunger and fullness, 1 hour after the feeding time. We recommend choosing this time in the evening hours because they will calm down and sleep easily after it.
4- Babies may fear water during the bath and may find the environment strange. Therefore, you can have a peaceful time with calm touches and talk to your child without panicking.
5- We recommend that you choose products that are suitable for age and skin. Choosing natural ingredients will be very beneficial for health.
6- You do not have to use shampoo in every bath. Sometimes just washing with clean water will suffice.
7- Don’t forget the after-bath care and massage. Because there may be irritations in your child’s diaper area and flaky dryness in the skin area, relax your child with massage movements shown by your doctor by creaming regularly after the bath, even every day.
8- While washing the head area, do not hesitate to touch the spaces between the bones known as fontanelles. Under the fontanelle, there are hard membranes and a special liquid inside. Therefore, no matter how sensitive it may seem, your touches will not harm your child.
Materials Required for Co-bath
We talked about how the bathroom should be done. Now we want to collect the items you will need during the bath in one place. Things needed for:
Baby Tub: It may not be hygienically healthy to bathe your child in a regular tub initially. Therefore, choosing it will make your job easier and safer.
Water Bowl: A small water bowl that will make your job easier.
Bath Net: The washing process will be easier with the net you will stretch into the tub.
Thermometer: The thermometer will help you determine the most suitable temperature.
Towel: We recommend using at least two soft towels. It will allow you to replace the wet towel with a dry one immediately.
Fiber / Sponge: Choosing cotton and soft products will be healthy for the skin.
Shampoo and Shower Gel: Natural and alcohol-free herbal products will improve skin health.
These products are essential products for children. In addition to these, there are hair brushes, extra towels, and products for drying. Remember to consult your doctor before purchasing such products.
Conclusion
Babies are little people we look forward to for 9 months, think of names for hours, look forward to their birth, and give us a completely different journey from when they enter our lives.
When we hold a newborn in our hands, we inevitably panic. Because in any sudden movement, their tiny bodies can be damaged. Maybe that’s why the first bath for parents is daunting. Thousands of fearful questions follow us, such as if my child gets cold, does he cry a lot, or does the water leak somewhere.
But these fears are all just delusions in our heads. Bathing with a baby is not as difficult as it seems. You just have to be calm and careful. Remember, your child is a part of you. They are tiny people who perceive your feelings and emotions best.
As mentioned above, prepare the necessary tools and environment before the bath and create an area where your child will feel comfortable and calm. Then, start from the head area and clean the other areas with suitable shampoo and washcloths. Rinse thoroughly with water after cleaning. After rinsing, dry your child calmly with a soft and natural towel and do other care.
That’s the first bathroom that scares you, and it’s that simple. Talking to your child during the co-bath, listening to music, and beautifying the environment with beautiful toys will be good for you and your little child.
In addition, parents can have the nurses take their children’s first baths. In our opinion, this activity creates a special bond between parent and child. Don’t let your prejudices and fears about this process take this special moment away from you. Be with your child in their first bath. This is exactly what our article was for. Live the first beautiful moments you will share with your child without fear, and remember your memories happily.
Remember, your baby is new to this world, and you’re new as a mother. So together you will explore the world.
