Baby 1st bath
There are so many myths and truth about baby 1st bath. Some people wash newborns right after birth, some did not clean them until umbilical cord separation. There are so many researches and practices about this, according to that researches we are trying to let you know something about baby’s 1st bath after birth. Newborn baby’s 1st bath was necessary for their feeling of wellbeing and freshness. We don’t bath them right after bath because the inner environment and outer has a vast difference. Our 1st priority to a newborn should be to keep warm, feeding and sleep. Normally all newborns are covered with a white substance called
VERNIX CASEOSA.
Once the newborn adapted extra uterine environment you can clean them well with smooth hand. Hygiene is mandatory and washing or cleaning should be done in a close room. Here is a small description when and how to give bath to a newborn.
VERNIX is a natural occurrence of bio film covering of skin during last 3 months of pregnancy. This coating protects the newborn from cold. This facilitates the newborn in extra uterine adaption to environment. This provides heat protect the skin from external injury and infection. The suggested duration of recommendation was in between 24 to 48 hrs.
When to give baby’s 1st bath
After voiding and before feeding baby bath should be done. Baby’s 1st bath generally done after 24 to 48 hrs of birth as the newborn adapt to the external environment. Never wash under tap water, this results in infection and fever.
VERNIX CASEOSA
Mentioned VERNIX is a weapon for the newborn. Prevents infection and provide warm to the baby. It does not smell bad, and never rub forcefully it may damage the skin tissue. After 24 or 48 hrs you can clean your baby with a gentle hand. No matter umbilical cord is dried not dried or separated not separated. After 24 hrs of birth, if voiding and feeding was normal, then you can clean the baby with a smooth hand by maintaining proper hygiene. Look after always use lukewarm water, clean hands, soft material and clean cloths etc.
How to give baby’s 1st bath
Baby’s 1st bath after birth should be done under careful hands. Holding your newborn is an art. At first there is no need to wash them with soap and all. You can just sponge the newborn with wet tissue till 2 weeks of birth.
STEPS FOR NEW MOTHER:
1. Place your baby in a bath towel on your bed.
2. Change the napkin.
3. Take a bowel of lukewarm water.
4. Deep the tissue on water and squeeze out the excess water.
5. Clean the buttock and perineum area first. Change the tissue.
6. After cleansing, with another tissue rub the under arm, hands stomach.
7. After that feet and back of the body.
8. At last clean the face and head. In case of face, clean eyes, nose and ears step by step.
9. After cleansing immediately moisturize the newborn with baby friendly cream or oil.
10. Make sure that you newborn was not allergic to anything that you used.
11. Dress them by fully covering of head, hands and feet. These three portions of a newborn are very sensitive that cold may enter to body.
12. After bath feed your baby well and you can notice how peacefully the newborn sleeps.
RECOMMENDATION:
If you are tensed to use any cosmetic product, you can use homemade or pure natural coconut oil for moisturize. This is mild and suits every types of skin, by not letting dry and not so oily too.
This type of bath can be given to them continuously. Before completion of 4 weeks of birth and umbilical cord dries you can start fully bath once in a week. For a full baby bath you need some essential tools for safety purpose.
You must need:
1. Bath tub.
2. Lukewarm water in a bowl.
3. Bath towels.
4. Tissue or cotton.
5. Mild soap and shampoo.
6. Nail cutter.
7. Cream and baby oil.
8. Comb.
Steps to be followed:
1. Confirm temperature of water by dipping your elbow on it.
2. Hold your baby by supporting buttock and shoulder.
3. If in need, you can short the nails and then change napkin, remove the old clothing.
4. After that clean the face with tissue or cotton, especially eyes of the newborn.
5. After removing clothing, hold your baby in your forearm and apply soap by soaking.
6. Gently rub the whole body like that, let the dirty water to be stored in the bath tub.
7. Then pure the rest of water and clean body by holding your baby gently.
8. Keep an eye strong that no amount of water enters through ear while bathing.
9. After removing of dirty particles, place over clean bath towel.
10. Dry the baby with the towel and then apply cream or oil.
11. Comb the hairs.
12. Put on clean cloths and feed well.
Please note: Bathing procedure is not so hard and serious situation. You must notice that no injury should occur during bath and less expose to air for any chances of infections. Never use any cosmetics like KAJOL and all it may irritate the newborn skin.
DON’TS:
1. Bath should not be done in an open area.
2. Never use cold or tap water.
3. Less expose to air, avoid AC and switch off the fan while bathing.
4. Never let the baby to be naked for long.
5. Never use any cosmetics.
6. Never give bath after feeding.
As a human being when we take a hot bath, we feel relax after so many stress and tension too. Likewise in case of a newborn baby if we want them to give a feeling of wellness, we must clean them on their circumstances. Make sure bathing or cleansing should be done AFTER VOIDING AND BEFORE FEEDING. This may results in vomiting and indigestion problem to the newborn. After bathing feed immediately, that give the warmness and after feeding the newborn sleeps well always.
For a new mother baby’s 1 st bath may be a tough challenge. Always try to do yourself with a confident mind that gives you another feeling of parenthood. If you have any confusion about your newborn’s bathing you can mail us through mail. We will try to help you with our best.
You may like to read this : HOW TO KEEP YOUR BABY SMILE AFTER VACCINATION
Wish your baby may have a healthy life ahead. Wish you a safe motherhood from our team medicodiet.
