Some are water rats, others don’t even want to put their big toe in the water: The topic of bathing has a broad spectrum. Usually, however, the preference (or dislike) for the cool water is already imprinted in very early moments. In order for a good relationship to develop here, there are therefore a few things to consider when bathing babies. We will tell you when the boozy fun can start, how to bathe your newborn properly and what is already possible in the tub for a slightly older baby. Read on here!
Table of Contents
Why bathe babies at all?
When we adults get into the hot water, it is on the one hand for cleaning, on the other hand for relaxing. The warmth penetrates deep into the limbs and stimulates our muscles to forget for a moment the stress of everyday life and to relax. But how does a warm bath affect newborns and babies?
In fact, a positive impression can usually be observed here as well. After initial uncertainty, most babies visibly feel comfortable in the warm water, probably because it reminds them of the womb. Thus, relaxation also appears here as an important advantage. But cleaning is also a central purpose of bathing. In the beginning, it is most likely milk residues, lint, perhaps also sweat and remnants of ointments that need to be removed. Later, when the child then robbs and crawls, there will be many more reasons for a nice bath.
By the way, bathing babies is also a good exercise. On the one hand, the children can train and coordinate their movements and muscles in the water. On the other hand, they also gain experience with bathing and reduce fears. In addition, the warm water should have a positive aspect on problems such as flatulence or abdominal pain, from which the little ones unfortunately suffer all too often. Thus, there is a lot to be said for a nice bathroom.
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When can you bathe your baby?
First things first: You don’t need to rush. Your baby is not dirty and therefore does not need to be washed immediately. The basic cleaning (e.B. to remove the cheese smear after birth) can be done with a washcloth. When diapering, the baby is also cleaned regularly. Thus, there is initially no urgent need.
On the contrary, in the first few days it is even better not to bathe the newborn yet. The pH value of the skin should only be able to get used to the new environment at rest. A good indication that you might think of bathing for the first time is the navel. If this has completely fallen off and healed well, the baby is allowed into the water. Before that, there would otherwise be too great a risk of infection.
What is the perfect time?
So once the moment has come when your baby is healthy and cheerful enough, he should definitely be in a good mood for this first new experience. In newborns, this means above all: full and awake. However, immediately after breastfeeding is too early – as is well known, you should not go swimming with a full stomach. So it’s best to wait for the farmer after the meal.
Since the warm water ideally relaxes, babies also often get tired of it. So also choose a time window in which sleep would soon be back anyway, such as the later afternoon or in the evening. In this way, a first daily routine can be set up step by step.
By the way: A daily bathing of your baby is far too much! 1-2x per week are absolutely sufficient. A more frequent bath would destroy the skin’s natural protective coat. In addition, a visit to the tub should only take about 5-10 minutes. If your baby sits longer in the water, it threatens to cool down otherwise, because the temperature of the water drops quickly and a running of hot water would have too high a risk that it scalds after all.
When should you not bathe your baby?
Just as there is the right time to splash around, there is also the wrong one. For example, does your baby have a fever right now? Maybe it suffers an infection or gets teeth? In these moments, the body already has its hands full. If you were to bathe your child now, the immune system gets another impulse from the outside: even more heat. In case of fever, it could now come to the edge of overload and can no longer fight against overheating of the organism.
But even without a fever, many are more likely to advise against bathing babies when they are in the middle of a cold. The small bodies are then usually very dull and are sometimes additionally exhausted by the bath. Temperature regulation is also even more difficult for them. But if the infection is just coming or already subsiding or your baby is still awake, then nothing stands in the way of a short splash.
Baby’s Bathing: How to Do It Right
So that your child does not have any negative experiences with the wet element, there are a few things to consider first. For one thing, babies cool down much faster than adults. The temperature is therefore a factor that must be constantly checked. On the other hand, the pain sensation of our little ones is also different. So if the water is too hot, they do not immediately make themselves felt. There is then a risk of scalding of the sensitive skin. And speaking of which: Since the baby skin is still very tender, it generally needs a different care than ours. These three points therefore have a decisive influence on the process.
The optimal preparation
The room temperature in your bathroom may be muckelig warm if you want to bathe your baby. Between 23 and 25 °C is just right. In addition, there should be no drafts. In addition, you do your child a great favor, if the towel is cuddly warmed, so it was previously e.B. on the heater. And the changing table may also have a corresponding feel-good temperature. A heat lamp has proven to be extremely practical for some babies here.
In addition, prepare everything you need: washcloths, clothes, changing accessories, possibly also toys. Only then should you let the water in. Pay attention to the perfect temperature here as well: 37 °C. It is best to check this strictly with a thermometer, because our temperature perception is different. What is pleasant for us can already be much too hot for the little ones. By the way, the ideal level is so high that the baby is under water up to the shoulders. Depending on the bathing possibility, this means a height of 1/2 or 3/4.
The right bathing
Especially when first contact with water, you have to be extremely careful. Your baby does not know this element yet, it is also a completely new feeling and the sounds are different. It is therefore important that you give your child security, support and security. First of all, therefore, the correct grip is crucial. To do this, carry an arm under the shoulders of the baby and grasp the upper arm of the child with your hand. So it lies well supported on your arm. The second hand holds the buttocks when lifting and bringing into the water and can later be used for washing. Let your midwife show you this again!
Make sure that the baby first slowly dives into the water with his feet in front. It should have contact with the tub wall to find support and also the buttocks can sit up best. The free floating is otherwise very frightening for many children the first time. So let your child slowly get used to his new environment. Talk and sing with him in time. This conveys calm and is familiar.
If your baby feels comfortable, you can start the actual washing. Either use your hand or grab a soft washcloth. Wipe it gradually over the body and dedicate yourself above all to the skin folds. This is where the dirt likes to collect. The palms, the neck fold, behind the ears, between the toes – these are all places that now need to be cleaned gently but thoroughly. Then move further towards the face and only at the end head and hair. Otherwise, the baby would cool down too much!
After bathing
Your child is squeaky clean? Then it should also be taken out of the tub. Wrap it immediately in the warm towel (best this one has a hood!) and then take it in your arms. Some babies need a moment to sort out the new impressions and being close to you will help them do that.
Then gently begin to pat the skin dry, not to rub. Again, pay attention to the skin folds. These must not remain moist, as this can lead to sore spots. Some children also like to be blow-dried. But here, too: Be sure to set to maximum lukewarm and constantly hold your own hand in between so that it does not get too hot.
Afterwards, the normal changing and dressing procedure takes place. Because a cream does not need the already delicate baby skin yet. Only if your baby has a sore spot or perhaps suffers from a rash, you can of course use appropriate means. Otherwise, it is best to cuddle afterwards, so that the impressions can all be digested.
Accessories for even more fun when bathing babies
There are various utensils that can make bathing even more fun – both for your baby and for you. Because especially due to the special handle, a bath for the adult can be a bit uncomfortable in the long run. The older your child is, the more they can explore the water on their own. Finally, we want to give you a few ideas on how to equip your bathtub even more child-friendly.
Bathing vessels for more safety and comfort
First of all, it should be said: It does not need any special accessories to bathe a baby. Even the sink or a larger bucket is sufficient in principle. However, some aids do have their advantages. For example, the bath bucket for babies is a little more optimally adapted to the body stature of your newborn, so slightly higher and tighter, and has rounded edges. Babies can fix well in these vessels and usually feel quite safe. Also the washing of the little ones is quite possible.
Alternatively, you can also use a bathtub seat. This comes into the normal tub and is sometimes a real seat, sometimes rather a bowl in which you can put your child. In it it has a lot of hold and you do not have to fix it constantly, but have both hands free for washing. Either way, however, it is crucial that the bath vessel of your choice is absolutely tilt-proof and that it also allows you as an adult a permanently comfortable position.
Bath additives for more care
In fact, this point should be treated with caution. Because in the beginning, your baby really only needs clear water. Fragrances and soaps are far too irritating for sensitive skin. So you can safely do without a bath additive. If your child really has a little to do with dry skin areas, you can add a little milk or oil to the bath water. But beware: Especially with oil, your grip should be all the firmer, because the skin quickly becomes slippery.
If your baby is a little older, you can then slowly supplement mild care products for babies, e.B. a gentle shampoo from the age of about 6 months. Pay attention to the ingredients here. The list should not include perfumes, plasticizers or preservatives. If your baby can slowly sit safely (usually around the 10th month), a bubble bath will certainly be great fun!
By the way, what you should definitely keep your hands off are essential oils. There are some that are harmless. However, many people are threatened with symptoms of poisoning and impaired consciousness. These include:
Camphor
Eucalyptus
Thyme
Peppermint
Turpentine
Spruce, pine and precious firs
Mountain pine
Bath toys for lots of fun
Taking toys into the tub is actually not a bad idea. Because it not only brings joy, but also serves as a distraction. Because not every child is directly enthusiastic about water. With suitable toys you can playfully reduce this fear. The simplest forms are already suitable for babies at the age of 4 months. The older your child gets, the more choice is available to you. Especially when it can sit alone, the fun really begins. Nevertheless, your baby should never bathe unattended!
When choosing toys, make sure that they are well processed and, above all, suitable for water. Plastic is the most suitable material here. Also some textiles can be used well in the tub as well as the rubber. After use, the toys should always be cleaned well and also dried so that nothing molds or germs accumulate here. After all, toddlers in particular still experience a lot through their mouths.
Popular bathing toys are e.g.:
floating animals (e.B. the classic rubber duck)
Bathing books
Water balls
Bathtub colours
Stacking cups with holes in the bottom
Spray animals
figurative washcloths, finger puppets
water-compatible cuddly toys and dolls
