When and How to Bathe Your Newborn
When a baby is born, you shouldn’t give a full bath right away because the umbilical cord hasn’t fallen off yet. It usually takes about 10 days to detach. Until then, gently wipe the baby with a soft, damp cloth.
You can bathe the baby about an hour after feeding. Establish a routine so baths happen at the same time each day—ideally before meals and before bedtime.
The room where you bathe the baby should be warm. Support the baby with one hand while you wash with the other.
It’s also beneficial to massage the baby after bathing. Try gentle movements, like bringing the baby’s right knee toward the left elbow and then the left knee toward the right elbow. Apply a little baby oil to the skin before massaging.
Water for Bathing the Baby
The bath water should be warm; test the temperature with your elbow. Use a mild soap for washing. If the baby’s skin becomes red, avoid soap and add a little baking soda or wheat or oat bran to the water. Place a small bag of bran in the bath water; after about 5 minutes, squeeze the bag and use that water to bathe the baby. If that doesn’t help, try bathing in herbal infusions such as chamomile, thyme, or mint.
If the baby doesn’t tolerate these baths, bathe them in clean water every other day.
What to Do When the Baby Turns
If the baby turns while nursing, it may be a sign they’re overeating. Shorten nursing sessions. If that doesn’t help, the milk may be too thick; give the baby a spoon or two of boiled water a few minutes before nursing. Reduce rich foods, especially meat.
If the baby still squirms but is gaining weight, that often means they will settle down soon. Weigh the baby regularly.
