Baby’s bath manual
Bath time can be either a time for tears or laughter, depending on your baby’s bath experience. ‘I love to wash my baby,’ says Anne, mother to a four month old baby boy. This is time for me and my little one to bond. Usually I will let my house help assist me with all the other baby chores. However when it comes to bath time, I do it myself.’ But how does one go about ensuring that this time for cleansing goes as smoothly as it should be?
We tell you about the general cleaning of baby’s little body. In the next edition we will talk about how to wash baby’s specific body parts.
Water temperature
This has to be just right. You do not want your little one to burn, considering his delicate and sensitive skin. Very high or low temperatures will sure evoke screams of complaints from him. The best way to ensure that the water temperature is right for baby is to test it with your elbow. Insert the tip of your elbow in to the water to confirm. Never use your hand to do this as chances of deducing wrongly are high.
Room temperature
It is advisable to wash baby when the weather is warm. Many parents will avoid washing baby when the temperature’s are low as this contributes to the baby’s discomfort. If a bath has to be administered when the room is cold, you may need to heat the room with a heater.
Right towel
The best towel for your baby is that which is large, soft and fluffy. A rough towel will scratch baby’s skin, making him uncomfortable. The best size to get for him is large. A small one will not be able to cover his entire body, meaning that some body parts will be exposed right after bath. You want baby to be warm and comfy at all times.
Right soap
Some mothers wash their babies without soap. This is due to allergy, eczema or other personal reasons. Most babies are however bathed with soap or shampoo, which can be found at the clinic or the local shops. The choice of cleanser however depends on the mother’s preference. With time a baby will graduate to using what the rest of the family uses. Meanwhile utmost care should be taken before picking on the soap to use since baby’s skin is extremely sensitive.
Appropriate time
If baby is hungry then he will not enjoy his bath. Wash him after his feed upon which he can easily fall asleep. When you wash him when hungry, he will simply express that he would rather be eating, and the fun time will soon turn into tears.
Bathing equipment
What equipment do you use to wash your baby? There are standard washing basins to be found in the supermarkets. However the choice is entirely dependent on individual preference. What you settle on should all the same be of the right size. You do not want a basin that it too small for baby. His entire length should fit in comfortably. As baby grows you may need to shift to a larger basin. The best thing is to pick a basin that will see your baby grow into it.
Right posture
Hold your baby all the while he is in the water. Your left hand should support his head and shoulders, as the right one does the cleaning. Make sure your attention is focused on him. Any slip means that he could fall either in or outside the basin.
Note: If baby enjoys his bathes, chances are that anticipating the same at an older age will be so. He is therefore bound to be strict about his hygiene in future.
END: PG22/54