Search or browse
Bathing a newborn is a terrifying milestone for many parents – but it doesn’t have to be so scary.
And while it was once common practice to bath a newborn right after birth, things have changed in recent years.
The truth is skin-to-skin with mum is more important for baby’s wellbeing than a bath, and the smell of amniotic fluid left on the skin can be comforting.
Speaking to TMB TV, Sydney-based midwife Tylah McConnell said that as a general rule, in the hospital she works in, babies aren’t bathed for at least 24 hours after their birth – and there are two reasons for that.
“The first is because baby has just come out of a very regulated environment and they can find it hard to regulate their temperature. So hold off on the bath so that they’re able to do that.
“The second thing is that they’re going to be more settled within that first 24 hours if they can smell that amniotic fluid on them. So if you bath them straight away and wash all that off, they might even be more disorientated now that they’re in the real world.
“But it’s a hundred percent up to you. If you feel like you want to bath your baby four hours after birth, you go ahead and do it.”
So how do you bath a baby? And how how often should you do it?
How often you bath your baby after that first bath is up to you. That said, once every two or three days is usually plenty. Be careful not to bathe your baby too much, as this can cause their sensitive skin to dry out.
On days where baby isn’t having a bath, parents can do something called a ‘top and tail’. This means gently washing your baby’s eyes, face and hands with something soft like a cotton ball, and then grabbing a washer to give your baby’s bottom a clean.
First things first – make sure there aren’t any distractions (put the phone away). Next, make sure you have everything you need close to the tub before filling with water – think clothes, towel and any lotions you need.
Now that you’ve got everything sorted, place the bath at a height that will be comfortable for you to hold and bath your baby (a kitchen table is usually a good place). Fill the bath with about 5cm of water (until around six months of age). Always check the water temperature before placing baby in the bath to make sure it’s not too hot.
Undress your baby, taking the nappy off last. Carefully lower baby into the bath while supporting their head and neck. Using a washcloth, begin with your baby’s face and work your way through all the nooks and crannies, leaving the genitals and bottom last.
(Tip: Some young babies won’t enjoy being so uncovered at bathtime, so try placing a wet washcloth or small wet towel over their body. This helps keep them warm and cosy.)
Once your baby is nice and clean, take them out of the bath, making sure to dry all their skin folds thoroughly to prevent any irritation.
And you did it!
Read more:
Review baby products to earn Coles, Kmart and Target gift cards. It's so easy!
