Bathing your newborn is one of the most crucial responsibilities you will have as a parent. You might be skeptical about a few queries while bathing a baby, such as “If giving a baby bath at night is safe?” and “How do you begin washing a baby?” It may be a bit of an anxious experience holding such a tiny infant in your arms when you try to bathe them. Read on to find out when and how to start bathing your infant at home, as well as some helpful tips.”
When Do I Start Giving My Baby Bath At Night And How Often?
Your baby already had their first bath right after birth. They have already experienced their first soak in the tub and gotten their first soap cleanup while still at the hospital. Now that you are home, you will be giving your baby a bath. To start with, it is important to know the basics of bathing your baby. At this age, your baby still does not need a bath every day. You should start by bathing your baby probably two or three times a week. Giving them a bath each day can easily dry out their skin, as it is extremely delicate (1). You need not use soaps every time you give them a bath. Using plain water to clean your baby is good enough. If the weather is hot and your baby is sweating, you can use a damp and soft washcloth to clean them. You can also wet your hand and lightly clean your baby’s face, eyes, and mouth. Ensure you clean the ear, neck, under the arms, behind the knees, hands, thighs, and the diaper area. Also, make sure the belly button of your baby doesn’t submerge under water until after the cord falls off (2). Whether you want to bathe your baby in the daytime or at night is entirely your choice. While giving your baby a bath, it is always a good idea to choose that time of the day when you have enough time on hand. You should not be in a situation where you need to rush while giving your baby a bath. The timing also depends on your baby’s comfort. It is also important to ensure that your baby is not too tired, too sleepy or too hungry. If your baby is very irritable, it may get difficult for you to bathe them. Time your baby’s bath in such a way that they are neither too hungry nor too full. Giving your baby a bath at night can be a comforting sleep time routine. You can prepare a warm bath and lightly massage their body. If your baby does not sleep well, a soothing bath can help them relax and sleep better (1) (2).
Quick Points To Remember Before Giving Baby A Bath At Night:
Here are a few tips to ensure your baby’s bath-time is a relaxed affair (3) (4):
How and where you are bathing your baby depends on your comfort. You can bathe them in the bathroom or even in your bedroom. Whenever you are giving your baby a bath, you need to make sure that the temperature of the bath and the room is warm. It will prevent your baby from catching a cold.
Ensure you keep all things handy before you take your baby for a bath. Keep a big soft towel on the bed and place items like baby’s body oil, moisturizer, hair oil, talcum powder, diaper, and diaper rash cream near it. Take out the clothes that your baby will wear after a bath and keep them ready on the bed.
Your baby will probably be hungry after a bath, so make sure you have all their feeding essentials in place too.
Caution
Never leave your baby alone in a tub or shower, not even for a few seconds. They may drown very quickly, even in shallow water (1)
