There is no prize for doing the first bath perfectly. There is only a baby learning that water can feel safe, and a parent learning that they can be trusted with the new.
Keep the room warm. Keep everything close. And keep your hand on your baby at all times.
Before you begin
Set up before the clothes come off. You will need a baby bath or clean basin, warm water, a soft towel, a fresh nappy, clean clothes and a cloth for the face. Put all of it within reach so you never have to turn away.
- Warm the room first and close any draughts.
- Have a dry towel open and ready before the bath starts.
- Never leave a baby alone in or near water, even for a second.
- If another adult is home, ask them to stay nearby and hand you things.
The water
The bath should feel comfortably warm to you, not hot. Test the water with your inner wrist or elbow. A baby's skin is more sensitive than yours. If you would not settle into it, it is too warm.
Keep the water shallow. A few centimetres is enough to wash a newborn. The bath is for cleaning and comfort, not for swimming.
"A first bath is less about getting clean than learning trust."Weposhi Editorial
Your hands
Support the head and neck with one hand and use the other to wash gently. Start with the face using plain water and a soft cloth. Then move down the body, cleaning the folds behind the ears, under the arms, around the neck and between the fingers and toes.
Use a small amount of baby wash if you use one at all. Rinse gently. Keep the experience short. If your baby is unhappy, stop and try again another day.
After the bath
Lift your baby straight into the open towel and pat dry rather than rubbing. Dry the folds carefully, including the neck, armpits and behind the knees. Put on a fresh nappy and clothes, then take a breath.
If the umbilical cord stump is still healing, follow the advice from your midwife or health visitor. Keep the area clean and dry, and do not force anything.
When to wait
Skip the bath if your baby is unwell, very cold, or has broken or infected-looking skin, and ask your health visitor or doctor. There is no deadline. A newborn does not need a bath every day.
The first bath can happen when you are both ready. A sponge bath with a warm cloth is still a bath. Care is allowed to be practical.
Words by Weposhi Editorial
