"Water procedures": how to bathe a newborn
The first bathing of a baby is a responsible and exciting moment for new parents. Therefore, many moms and dads often wonder how to do everything right in order to child from infancy, loved water procedures? Our article will help answer it.
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When can you bathe your child
For the first time, it is necessary to bathe a baby on a day returning home from the hospital to wash off the "hospital" microflora from it. Then this procedure should be carried out daily, and preferably at the same time, before feeding.
Why is it so important to wash baby everyday? The fact is that newborns often spit up, go to the toilet, sweat a lot, and the surface of their delicate skin becomes dirty, as a result of which such troubles as "prickly heat" and diaper rash can occur.
Many parents are afraid to bathe their baby if the umbilical wound has not yet healed (this happens only 18-22 days from birth). There is nothing wrong here, only the following rules must be observed:
- water must be boiled;
- the baby bath should be cleaned with soda and scalded with boiling water;
- a couple of drops of a concentrated solution of potassium permanganate must be added to the water so that it becomes pale pink;
- after water procedures, be sure to treat the wound with hydrogen peroxide and brilliant green.
Bathing water temperature for newborn
It is believed that the temperature of the water suitable for swimming should be 37 degrees, although everything here is individual for each baby. Some begin to freeze and shrink into a lump, while others become too hot - they turn red and start to be capricious. Therefore, by observing the child's behavior, parents will understand what temperature will be comfortable for him.
It is very important to use a special thermometer for these purposes and measure the temperature only by completely immersing it in water. If he is not at hand, then you can lower your elbow into the bath - it should feel neither hot nor cold. But it's still better to use a thermometer!
Bathing a newborn baby
The first step is to organize all the conditions for carrying out water procedures: prepare the room, towels, diapers, bathing products for the baby, which are used from the first days of life.
The baby bath can be installed in the bathroom or in the kitchen, as long as the parents have the opportunity to approach it from any side. The optimum air temperature is not lower than 24 degrees, and the absence of drafts is also very important. The water level in the bath should not exceed 15-20 cm, and potassium permanganate should be added there for disinfection. Often, a diaper or towel is placed on the bottom to prevent slipping, or a special chaise longue is placed. It is imperative to prepare a jug with a volume of about 2 liters, with the same water to pour over the child at the end.
It is most convenient to bathe the baby together - one will hold him and wash, and the second will serve everything you need. All this time, do not forget to calmly and affectionately talk to him.
So, you can start. You need to undress the baby, wrap it in a diaper, and in it, carefully lower it into the water. So he will feel more protected, as more recently in his mother's belly. Although some parents do without it. At the same time, it is important to properly support the child with one hand so that his head and shoulders remain above the water, and with the other, soap all parts of the body, starting from the head, in turn. In order to wash the back - gently turn the baby over onto his stomach. Finally, rinse it out of the jug to rinse off any remaining foam.
Then you can take the baby out of the bathroom - remove the wet diaper, if he bathed in it, and wrap it in a dry one, and wrap it on top with a towel and take it to the changing table.
After bathing
All necessary care products, as well as clothing, must be prepared in advance. It will be convenient to immediately arrange them in the order in which they are needed.
After the bath, it is very important to dry the baby's hair and skin well with a soft towel or diaper, especially all the folds: behind the ears, neck, armpits, folds on the arms and legs, in the groin area. Then they must be thoroughly lubricated with a cotton swab dipped in boiled vegetable oil or use baby powder.
Next is the treatment of the umbilical wound: using a pipette, first drop 2-3 drops of hydrogen peroxide on it, and then 1-2 drops of brilliant green and wait until it dries.
If there is diaper rash on the baby's skin, then dexpanthenol-based creams will help to quickly deal with them.
That's all, now you can dress and feed your baby.
A few words about clothes. The best option is a cotton undershirt with closures at the front, a diaper and a swaddle. It happens that the baby does not want to be fettered by diapers, then piece-piece overalls - "slip" will become a substitute. Be sure to wear a cap over your head until your hair is dry.
Do not forget that water procedures relax and calm the newborn, so it is best to spend them in the evening. before bedtime.
