Do I need to bathe my baby every day for 1 month?  How often should you bathe your newborn baby?  Newborn care

Do I need to bathe my baby every day for 1 month? How often should you bathe your newborn baby? Newborn care

After discharge from the maternity hospital, the baby needs daily water treatments. This allows you to wash away bacteria accumulated on the baby’s body and keep the skin healthy. Bathing strengthens the body, relieves nervous tension, relaxes muscles and improves sleep. Your pediatrician will tell you how often you can bathe your newborn baby in winter to prevent him from catching a cold. Experts from the Daughters-Sons online store will help you choose devices that make water procedures easier.

Preparing for your baby to take a bath




If the room is warm and the temperature does not drop below 22 °C, it is recommended to carry out water procedures every day in winter. If the apartment is cold, you should bathe the baby in the bath 2-3 times a week for 5-10 minutes. Every day you need to wash your child and wipe the folds on the skin with damp sanitary swabs.

Before swimming, be sure to check the water temperature. A full-term newborn will be warm and comfortable in water with a temperature of 36-38 °C; premature babies need 37-39 °C. To accurately know the temperature of the water and air, you can use an electronic bath thermometer.

Violation of the temperature regime can lead to negative consequences:

  • swimming in cold water(below 32 °C) causes hypothermia and colds;
  • A bath that is too hot can cause overheating. The baby's appetite worsens and lethargy appears.

The bathroom and children's room should be kept at the same temperature. With sudden changes in regimen, the newborn may get sick.

Important!

Cosmetics for babies should be used very carefully. You should choose a cream soap or gel with a moisturizing effect, since in winter the child’s skin suffers from dryness. It is recommended to consult a pediatrician first.

Table 1. Set for bathing infants, features and purpose of products
Product Peculiarities Purpose
Bath Made from environmentally friendly plastic. You can choose a model of a convenient anatomical shape. For daily bathing of babies.
Bath slide With suction cups for secure fixation in the bath. It has a baby-friendly shape. Made of plastic. Makes the procedure more comfortable. Mom can free her hands to bathe her baby.
Thermometers With digital indicators. The most accurate are electronic models. Does not contain mercury. Waterproof. They have an attractive design. Determine the temperature of the water in the bath. Indicators indicate overheating or hypothermia of water.
Cosmetics for bathing With extracts of chamomile, string, aloe, calendula, avocado and other additives. Presented in the form of a gel, liquid soap, foam or cream. Removes bacteria. Soothes and moisturizes irritated skin.
Towel Regular and in the form of an envelope. Made with a corner for the head. Warm models sewn from terry or cotton. The baby is taken out of the water and wrapped. The product absorbs water well and prevents freezing.

How often should a newborn baby be bathed with cosmetics in winter?

In winter, you need to bathe your baby using hygiene products 1-3 times a week. Products with glycerin additives moisturize the skin of newborns well. This component is absolutely safe, it saturates the pores skin baby, providing protection from the cold. For example, you can choose a bathing product from the Bubchen brand. It contains plant-based moisturizing ingredients. Chamomile extract perfectly soothes the skin and cleanses it of bacteria.

conclusions

If the room temperature is above 21 °C, you can bathe your baby every day in winter. The procedure should last from 5 to 15 minutes. If it's cold at home, you can bathe several times a week, but be sure to partially wash your newborn every day. Before starting water procedures, you should check the temperature of the air in the room and the water in the bath. It is better to wash a newborn in boiled water, cooled to 36-38 °C.

Among the rituals that are repeated every day, bathing is important. In addition to eliminating sweat and dirt, it helps the baby relax his muscles and calm the nervous system. He sleeps soundly and eats well. Adults need to try to properly organize a place for a child to bathe and think through all the details.

It is important to know a few rules that will turn bathing into an enjoyable process.

Reasons for inconvenience

Bathing is often enjoyable for your baby. If he cries after that, it means something was done wrong. It is important to understand why whims appear.

  • Perhaps the room is cold, and after a warm bath the baby feels uncomfortable.
  • Fright (the child took a sip of water and heard a sharp sound).
  • Hunger or thirst (a lot of time has passed since feeding).
  • If the baby is tired, wants to sleep, or cries, you should not wash him. Washing will be enough.
  • If the child cries not only after, but also during washing, he may have colic. While bathing, you can stroke his tummy.

You need to take into account the rule: the baby can be bathed only 30-40 minutes after feeding. You cannot start the procedure after eating; the child may vomit everything he eats during physical activity in the water. This is why it is better to maintain a time interval after eating.

Parents are often frightened by the situation when the baby takes a sip of water. There is no need to do anything. Water can also get into your ears. Then you just need to blot it with cotton swabs.

In order to get the maximum benefit, infants are bathed in herbs: chamomile or string. Sea salt is also beneficial. For the entire first month, until the wound on the navel heals, the water for taking a bath is boiled.

These conditions are difficult to comply with if the bath is large. Besides, in large bath All family members bathe, and this is unacceptable for a newborn child. After 1 month, you can bathe your baby in a large bathtub.

Modern fixture

Limited space often causes a baby to cry. You can also use the circle to bathe in a large bathtub. Parents do not have to keep their baby in one place. With the circle he feels safe.

The inflatable ring has special fasteners with which it is attached to the child’s neck. The front of the circle has a recess for the chin. The baby will not be able to bend his head down and sip water. With the circle, the child’s muscles completely relax and spasms are relieved.

There are contraindications for which you cannot swim in a circle around your neck: increased intracranial pressure, viral infections, birth trauma.

The main thing is to position the child correctly in the circle. Before bathing, the baby should be placed on his stomach. Move the halves of the circle apart and stick the child’s head between them. You need to make sure that the chin fits into the recess and that the clasp is not pulled tight.

The time for swimming in the circle is not limited; you can use it every day. You need to start with 5-10 minutes so that the child gets used to being free in the water.

Children should not be left alone in the bathroom for even a second!

Comfort and reassurance

Keeping your baby in herbs will improve his body's health and relieve skin problems. Herbs such as nettle, chamomile, and string will help. A bath with sea salt and decoctions of these herbs will enhance the healing effect.

The series manages to relieve inflammation on the skin and reduce rashes. You can't often bathe in a line. You can add it once a week, as it dries out the skin.

Bathing in chamomile has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and disinfects water. Chamomile has antiviral and antibacterial properties.

Bay leaf helps with allergic rashes, purulent wounds, eczema, diathesis. Bay leaf is a strong natural antibiotic that helps get rid of excessive sweating. Essential oils, which each leaf contains, helps calm the nervous system and cope with insomnia.

Bay leaf helps get rid of inflammation on the skin. Its decoction is used as a lotion or evening baths. To prepare the decoction, take bay leaves (7-10 pieces) and boil in water for 20 minutes. After this, let it brew for an hour. The strained infusion is added to bathing water.

Bay leaves are considered a safe allergy treatment, but caution should be exercised in children under one year of age. Up to 3 months the leaf can only be used externally, after which it can be drunk.

Bay leaves also have their contraindications for use: stomach diseases, constipation, pancreatitis. You should not repeat the procedure daily. This will prevent rashes and dry skin.

Soothing herbs that can be added to water: valerian, lavender, mint, oregano. Any herbs should be used with caution.

Security measures:

  • procedures with decoctions of several herbs are not allowed in the first month of a child’s life. This makes it difficult to identify allergies to a specific plant;
  • if the herbs are in filter bags, then use 5 of them per 1.5 liters of water;
  • Before dipping a child into a bath with herbs, be sure to moisten a cotton swab with the decoction and apply it to the child’s skin. If no allergic reaction is observed after a few minutes, you can bathe the baby.

Salty water

Sea salt includes important trace elements (potassium, iodine, magnesium). Salt baths can successfully replace swimming in the sea. Coniferous extracts will only enhance the effect of sea salt.

You should bathe your baby in a bath with sea salt no earlier than six months after birth. Up to three baths per week are allowed. Neurologists prescribe salt baths for birth injuries and hypertension. Do not add salt if there are open wounds or skin abrasions. Salt is also harmful for illnesses nervous system. After water containing salt, be sure to rinse your child in the shower.

Pine-salt baths will help relieve excessive excitability and strengthen the immune system. Salt baths are done according to doctor's instructions.

You should properly prepare water with sea salt. The salt is diluted in a separate container, then poured through a sieve into a bath of water. The time for taking such a bath is 5-10 minutes - up to 6 months, and 20 minutes - after 6 months. If you make pine-salt baths, then add a few more drops of pine needle extract.

Water with sea salt will start metabolic processes and activate the body's defenses. But salt can have a negative effect on sensitive skin baby. Prolonged bathing in water with sea salt leads to flaking and dry skin.

It’s good to turn water procedures into an exciting game. You can take your favorite toys with you, massage and stroke your baby, and tell him fairy tales. Parents can create all the conditions to make bathing for their child useful and enjoyable.

In this article:

In the first time after the birth of a baby, to young parents all the problems associated with caring for him seem difficult and insoluble. And only after some time, after a few weeks and even months, when the young mother feels more confident, all these problems turn into everyday worries.

In the first days, a young mother and father may not know how often to bathe a newborn so as not to harm it or leave it without the necessary hygiene procedures. First, the recommendations of doctors, as well as the advice of parents and grandmothers, will help you figure this out. If there are none, then we will be happy to help you understand all the intricacies. The main thing to remember is that water procedures for an infant are not only an important component of care and health, but also a time full of joy and pleasure.

When can you start bathing your baby?

First bathing procedure infant It is not carried out immediately after discharge from the maternity hospital, as new parents might think. Why can’t you give a bath to a baby who was born several days ago and still hasn’t had any water treatments after the difficult process of childbirth? This is due to the fact that the child’s umbilical wound is quite fresh and can become infected during bathing. Pediatricians also recommend not to rush into taking baths. winter time of the year. But you can wash and wipe your baby with wet wipes, and this should be done regularly.

As soon as the baby
the umbilical wound will heal and if there are no other contraindications for the procedure, you can take the first bath. This usually happens a week after birth. It is important to prepare for the procedure so that everything goes off without a hitch. Then everything will go well, and positive emotions will be provided to both parents and the baby, who needs them even in the first days of life.

Bathing procedures before bedtime perfectly calm the baby: clean and well-fed, he will fall asleep faster. If the baby is one of the children who, on the contrary, become more alert after bathing, then it is better to move it to the daytime. But most often, warm water relaxes the muscles, calms the psyche, and the child, clean and happy, calmly falls asleep as soon as it is applied to the mother’s breast.

Required Items

To bathe the baby, parents will need the following things:


Parents will also need towels, diapers, and a set of clean children's clothing. All this is taken according to the time of year and the temperature conditions of the room. Don’t forget about a diaper, powder, and cream if you use them to care for your baby.

How to prepare water?

The correct water temperature at which to wash a newborn is considered to be 36.6-37 degrees. During bathing, you need to monitor the baby’s reaction, because each child’s body is individual. If one baby is comfortable with one water temperature, the second may find it hot. Therefore, it is important to choose the best one for your child. If the baby is uncomfortable, you don’t have to guess about it - he will communicate it himself by restless behavior or crying.

Pediatricians It is recommended to boil water before using it to bathe newborns. You can take any large container for this. Pour cold water into the bath, and then gradually pour in hot water. You need to stir the water after each hot injection. Carefully monitor the thermometer mark.

The child must be immersed in the water smoothly and very carefully. That way he won't be scared. To make it easier for your baby to adapt to the water, you can put a thin vest on him. While immersing in the bath, the baby's head should be supported with the palm of your hand.

How long does it take to bathe a baby?

On average, washing a newborn baby should take about 10 minutes. If your baby is restless or crying, you can reduce this time, but do not completely eliminate bathing from your daily routine. If the child, on the contrary, enjoys bathing, then the procedure can be extended to half an hour. At the same time, you should not add boiling water to the cooling water: let the baby gradually harden.

How many times a week should I bathe my baby?

In the summer heat, you can wash your baby a couple of times a day: this will help avoid overheating and heat rashes. At positive emotions from bathing you can not limit the number of procedures by time. Bathe your baby as much as he likes and as often as circumstances or the baby himself require.

But if your house is cool, then the number of procedures or their duration will have to be reduced. However, if the air temperature does not fall below 21 degrees, then swimming takes place, and turning into hardening. The main thing is to quickly dry and dress the child after the procedures so that he does not have time to become hypothermic and freeze. You should also prevent drafts by keeping windows and doors tightly closed.

And yet, how many times a week should you bathe your baby? On average - at least two. At the same time, you should remember the restrictions on the use of gels and shampoos. Otherwise, bathing an infant is not difficult. It simply frightens young parents with its uncertainty, who after a few weeks begin to enjoy the procedure, because they are completely accustomed to their important and responsible role - mom and dad.

Bathing a baby is a procedure that is necessary not only for maintaining hygiene. Thanks to the hygienic procedure, muscles develop and immunity increases. After bathing, the baby's sleep normalizes, he becomes calm and quickly falls asleep. Not all young parents know how often to bathe a newborn baby and how to do it correctly. These questions are asked to the local pediatrician and visiting nurse.

Why is bathing necessary?

Bathing, washing and cleaning a baby are different things. Wash your baby every day in the morning and throughout the day as his face gets dirty. For washing, use boiled water, the temperature of which is 36 degrees, and a soft diaper.

Wash every time you change a diaper. This procedure is different for boys and girls. When washing a girl, it is important to pour water from the front. Regular washing is necessary to maintain cleanliness.

Bathing a child is also necessary to keep the body clean. But such a goal is pursued only sometimes. In most cases, they bathe the baby in the bath to achieve the following goals:

  • Water treatments are fun for kids. They still remember how they swam in warm water in their mother’s womb;
  • The baby energetically moves its arms and legs, which develops all muscle groups;
  • To develop tactile and emotional skills;
  • Swimming improves appetite;
  • Water procedures are an excellent prevention colds. Swimming improves immunity.

Your pediatrician will tell you how often you should bathe your newborn baby. Doctors recommend bathing babies in the first month of life every day, but only if there are suitable conditions for this. If the house is cold, then it is better to limit yourself to washing the child and washing individual parts of the body.

Preparing for a baby's bath

Parents determine how often a newborn baby should be bathed on their own. Under suitable living conditions, doctors recommend washing the baby daily. If the home is cool, then the baby is bathed 2-3 times a week, the hygiene procedure lasts 5-10 minutes.

The water temperature in the bath should be 37-38 degrees. For premature babies, the water is made a little warmer. To wash babies in the first weeks, water is boiled and cooled.

Before the hygiene procedure, it is necessary to prepare the things that are needed for bathing babies in the first weeks of life.

Product

Peculiarities What is it used for?
Bath An enamel or plastic bath of an anatomical shape is suitable. For daily bathing of babies.
Slide Plastic or textile, with a metal base. Equipped with reliable fastenings. Instead of a slide, a special foam rubber lining is often used. Frees up mom's hands for bathing the baby
Thermometer Take a regular thermometer or an electronic one, the latter is considered more accurate. Helps determine the temperature of the water in the bath.
Children's cosmetics For bathing newborns, neutral detergents based on plant ingredients are used. Johnson Baby cosmetics have proven themselves well. Removes impurities, moisturizes and soothes irritated skin.
Soft diaper A flannel diaper will do. Blot the newborn's skin after bathing.
Corner or large towel The corner is bought from cotton or terry Wrap up the baby after taking a bath.

Make sure that the temperature in the bathroom and children's room is approximately the same. A sudden change in temperature leads to hypothermia of the baby. If the house is cool, you need to turn on the heater before water procedures.

Features of bathing newborn babies

You can wash your baby from the first day of life, but only in a small bath with boiled water. Bathing in tap water and large baths is not recommended until the umbilical wound.

Usually the umbilical wound in a newborn heals within 2 weeks. At this time, the baby is bathed with boiled water and the addition of a decoction of medicinal herbs. Pediatricians recommend adding a decoction of chamomile and string to water. These decoctions eliminate inflammation and speed up the healing of the umbilical wound.

How often you can bathe a newborn baby depends on whether the house is warm and whether the umbilical wound has healed. If the baby's navel becomes wet or festeres, it is better to avoid swimming in the bath. The baby is wiped with wet wipes or a towel soaked in warm water.

Grandmothers advise placing a soft towel or a diaper folded in several layers in the baby bath. Thanks to this, the baby's back touches the soft surface.

How to bathe babies in the first month of life

Finally, the baby's umbilical wound has healed and he is allowed to bathe in a large bathtub filled with tap water. This process brings a lot of pleasure to the baby and his parents. The doctor will tell you how often to bathe a newborn baby up to a month old, but it is usually recommended to carry out such procedures every evening.

A large bath for a small child seems like a big sea. In the water, he can freely move his arms and legs and grab toys. Some parents use circles and caps that keep the baby's head above the water.

The water in the bath cools slowly, so water treatments can be easily extended for 20 minutes. While swimming, the baby spends a lot of energy and then sleeps peacefully until the morning. This procedure has a positive effect on metabolism and immunity, the work of all internal organs and systems. Water procedures are carried out sequentially.

  1. The bathtub is washed using baking soda or laundry soap. After using any detergents, rinse the bath thoroughly.
  2. Collect warm water, monitoring the temperature with a thermometer.
  3. Bright toys intended for swimming are placed in the water.
  4. The baby is carefully lowered into the water. This should be done slowly so that the baby does not get scared.
  5. A baby bathing ring is placed around the child's neck. With its help, the baby can safely swim in the bathtub.

Parents must monitor the newborn at all times; it is unacceptable to leave him alone even for a minute. After bathing, the circle is removed, the baby is pulled out and wrapped in a soft diaper. After drying the skin, the wet diaper is removed and the baby is wrapped in a towel. Clothes for dressing a newborn can be heated with an iron or placed on a radiator for a few minutes.

How often should you bathe a newborn baby in winter?

How often should a newborn baby be bathed in winter? Pediatricians often hear this question from young parents.

Water procedures are carried out as often in winter as in summer, but only if the house is warm. If the home is poorly heated or there are drafts, then you need to bathe the baby a couple of times a week. In other cases, they get by by washing individual parts of the body.

During the cold season, the skin becomes dry, so use cosmetics with caution. At this time, the newborn is washed with foams and baby gels. Avoid using baby soap in winter.

After water procedures, skin folds are lubricated with baby oil or plant-based cream. This prevents irritation and inflammation of skin areas.

How often should you bathe your baby in summer?

In the summer, you can bathe your newborn a couple of times a day. In children under 2 months of age, thermoregulation is impaired, babies sweat a lot, and this leads to diaper rash.

In summer, special attention should be paid to skin folds. Sweat irritates them, which leads to inflammation and diaper rash. After bathing, they are lubricated with low-fat cream or oil.

Basic rules for bathing babies

Bathing newborn babies must follow certain rules.

  • The first time a newborn is bathed no more than 5 minutes, the water temperature should be about 37 degrees;
  • Then the water temperature is gradually lowered, and the bathing time is increased. By six months, the child is allowed to bathe for 20-30 minutes, but you need to make sure that the water is warm;
  • The air temperature in the bathroom should be at least 25 degrees;
  • The baby's head is washed with baby soap once a week, only from 2 months you can use baby shampoo;
  • To wash a small child, it is allowed to use only hypoallergenic detergents that contain herbal ingredients;
  • Chamomile and string for bathing a child are brewed at the rate of a tablespoon per liter of water, then filtered and added to the water. If a child is prone to allergies, medicinal herbs should not be used;
  • You should not use a weak solution of potassium permanganate for bathing, as it dries the skin.

It is recommended to bathe a newborn every day, up to 2-3 weeks of life, in boiled water and a baby bath. After this time, you can wash the baby in a large bath filled with tap water. If you have a cap with a foam insert or a circle for bathing children, then the hygiene procedure becomes a pleasure.

Babies love bathing. It gives the little ones the joy of movement and allows parents to fully toilet the child. This is extremely important for his well-being and prevention skin diseases. A baby's skin is more sensitive and delicate; its acidity (pH) is lower than that of an adult, so it is difficult to resist the effects of bacteria and fungi. Scuffs and diaper rash occur easily.

Also, children's skin contains a lot of water and little fat, which makes it easier for harmful substances to penetrate into their body. These features dictate the need for daily bathing, especially for children in the first six months of life. A water procedure, accompanied by cheerful conversations and songs, will not only harden and strengthen the child’s immunity, but also establish an emotional connection with parents.

Bathing a newborn: when to start?

You can bathe healthy, full-term babies every day immediately after discharge from the hospital, being careful not to wet the umbilical wound so as not to cause inflammation, or after the navel has completely healed, when all the crusts have disappeared (on average, this happens in the second or third week of life). If you decide to wait for the navel to heal, during this period, wipe the baby’s skin, especially the folds, with a cotton swab moistened with warm water and baby soap, then use another cotton swab to rinse off the soap and blot the moisture from the baby’s body. Which tactic is better to choose is up to you. For complete confidence making the right choice- Consult your pediatrician.

If you decide to bathe your newborn immediately after leaving the hospital, use boiled water for the first bath. It is prepared and cooled to the desired temperature in advance.

Bathroom disinfection

To disinfect water, use a solution of potassium permanganate. Dissolve several crystals completely in a glass of warm boiled water. Add a few drops of the resulting solution to the bath until a faint pink tint appears. Be careful not to add too much solution, it can dry out children's skin and, in high concentrations, cause burns. Make sure that the unhealed navel is not immersed in water, and immediately after bathing the baby, get it wet.

After the umbilical wound has healed, there is no need to boil the water for bathing the newborn. The bath is filled with ordinary tap water at the required temperature. It is not recommended to wash your child every day in herbal decoctions, mineral salts or potassium permanganate solution, since frequent use of these additives dries the skin and can cause allergic reactions. Use them only for medicinal purposes, after consulting with your doctor. If a child has skin problems (it is dry and prone to peeling), then it is better to use special foams for bathing the baby, which already contain herbal extracts (chamomile, calendula) that have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Bathing a newborn: where and what

Where to bathe a newborn: in the bathroom or in the kitchen? Each family decides this issue individually, based on its living conditions. The main thing is that the room is draft-free. The optimal air temperature when bathing a baby is about 24-26 degrees C, but not lower than 21 degrees C.

Water requirements

The water temperature should be 36-37 degrees C (check with a thermometer, not your elbow!). Higher degrees can lead to overheating of the baby, he will begin to be capricious, and bathing will turn from a pleasant procedure into a whole problem. In colder water, the child will freeze, which also does not bode well.

Traditionally, the baby is bathed in a baby bath (galvanized metal, enameled or plastic, anatomical or not). It should be used only for bathing and not used for other household purposes (do not wash in it, do not soak clothes). It is convenient when she stands on a stable support, which allows her not to bend low towards the child, otherwise the mother’s back will get tired. Before bathing, pour boiling water over the bath. Of course, you can wash your child in an “adult” bath, but before each bath, be sure to treat it with regular soda or a special detergent intended for children’s baths.

Baby bath time

You can bathe your baby at any time of the day (try to do this together with your husband or grandmother to be on the safe side), but experience shows that it is best to carry out water procedures in the evening (around 20:00), before feeding, so that after it a well-fed and clean baby can sleep peacefully . At the same time, dads who work during the day get the opportunity to communicate with the baby and cuddle him. If the mother thinks that bathing the baby in the evening excites him before bed, then arrange “washings” in afternoon. The duration of bathing changes with age. Newborn babies should bathe for only 2-5 minutes, and at 3-4 months - 12-15 minutes.

What to prepare for bathing your baby

  • soft terry towel or a terry sheet with a hood;
  • baby soap in a soap dish or special bathing product newborns. Use only these special products to wash your baby. They have an acidity (pH) that is optimal for children's skin, protecting the skin from excessive drying, and contain softening additives - glycerin, lanolin, etc. It is recommended to use soap in small quantities and no more than 2-3 times a week. On other days, they simply bathe the baby in water;
  • Use it sponge or terry mitten made from soft natural materials, or you can soap the baby just with your palm;
  • baby cream;
  • a jar of cotton balls ;
  • water jug. Having filled the bathtub with water, scoop it out with a jug and place it somewhere nearby so that at the end of the bath you can rinse the child with this water, which has cooled down by about a degree. This procedure is an element of hardening;
  • hair brush with thick soft bristles or a comb with blunt edges;
  • water thermometer ;
  • thermometer for measuring air temperature ;
  • in advance, on a separate surface where you will dress the baby, lay it out clothes;
  • You can place special devices in the bathtub to support the baby - a hammock, "slide" etc. They are especially convenient for the first days of bathing, while the mother does not yet have the necessary dexterity.

Don't forget to wash your hands with soap before bathing your child. Keep your nails short and remove anything (rings, watches, bracelets, etc.) that could scratch your baby. When everything is ready, undress the child. If necessary, clean your baby's bottom and carefully, slowly, lower him into the water. There is no need to rush or make sudden movements, as the baby may get scared. Try to do everything carefully but confidently, talking quietly to him or humming a song. Carefully lower the child into the bath, supporting the head and shoulders with one hand (for example, your left) and the other (right) at the level of your buttocks and thighs.

Bathing a Baby: Water Safety

When bathing, you need to remember about the baby's safety. In a supine position, his head should be on your forearm, and your palm of the same hand should support the child in the area of ​​the shoulder joint by the baby’s shoulder outer from you. This way you protect your child from accidentally slipping out and diving under water. With your free hand you soap the baby. When lying on your stomach, your baby's chest is on your forearm; the palm of the same hand holds the shoulder farthest from you. With your free hand, you lather the child and secure him in the area of ​​the shoulder blades.

The process of bathing a baby

You need to wash sequentially: neck, chest, stomach, arms and legs, back and only then head. Lather carefully, using massaging movements, so that the foam does not get into your eyes. Thoroughly rinse the folds of the neck, armpits, groin, elbows and knees. Be sure to open and wash your clenched fists, where exfoliated skin cells accumulate and may cause diaper rash.

The head is also washed carefully so that the foam does not get into the eyes. If a child's eyes are pinched, he will remember this trouble for a long time and will be capricious when he gets into the bathroom. You should wash your hair with water every day, because babies tend to sweat a lot, and wash it with baby soap or a special bathing product once a week so as not to dry out the scalp.

It is difficult to answer unequivocally the question at what age you can start using baby shampoo. Some experts believe that up to a year you should wash your hair only with baby soap, others - that from 3-6 months of age you can use shampoo. But everyone is unanimous on one thing - shampoo should only be for children, developed taking into account the structural features of the child’s skin and hair. Such products have a mild effect and do not sting the eyes.

Tilt the baby's head back, holding it with your palm. Pour water over your hair from the face to the back of your head and apply a few drops of shampoo to your hair. Lather and lightly massage the skin. Gently rinse off the foam using washing movements in the same direction. You can wipe your face wet wipe, moistened with boiled water. If seborrheic crusts (another name for gneiss) have formed on the scalp, they must be softened by lubricating them with baby oil approximately 1 hour before bathing, and removed during bathing using a fine-toothed comb or brush.

The baby's perineum should be washed with soap and water. To avoid urinary tract infections, children should be washed from front to back, especially girls. For girls, thoroughly and carefully wash all the folds between the labia; for boys, gently wash the penis (without moving the foreskin), the scrotum, and then the area around the anus. Now you can rinse (front and back) the baby with water from the jug, which has cooled down by about one degree.

Procedures after bathing a baby

Immediately after bathing your baby, wrap him in a terry towel and pat dry. It is necessary to get wet and not rub - first the head, then the body. The folds of the skin must be dried especially thoroughly. The auricle should be dried with gauze or a thin scarf. Then remove the wet towel and place the baby in a clean diaper. Lubricate all folds of the skin with baby oil applied to a cotton swab. Treat the inguinal and intergluteal folds with baby cream or a special cream for diapers. If the umbilical wound has not yet healed, then after bathing it needs to be blotted. Then drop 2-3 drops of hydrogen peroxide from the pipette, and remove excess liquid with a gauze cloth or cotton swab. Treat the navel with another cotton swab moistened with a solution of brilliant green. Dress your baby and don't forget the cap. Do not remove it until your hair is dry. Next, the baby can be fed and put to bed.

When bathing a baby is already habitual

By six months, the baby is already accustomed to washing as a pleasant ritual and looks forward to it. Bathing can now last 15-20 minutes. It is recommended to reduce the water temperature by several degrees - to 32-28 degrees C. At this age, children master the skill of sitting, so it is advisable to provide the bath with a special rubber mat so that the child does not slip or a special seat for the bath. Then, in addition to washing, the baby can be given the opportunity to splash in the bath and play with rubber or plastic toys.

Under no circumstances should you leave your child unattended in the bath!

He may reach for a toy and plop face down into the water, he may try to stand up, leaning on the side and fall forward or backward, he may lean over the side of the bathtub, trying to reach a toy thrown on the floor... The consequences can be dire, from fear of water after a sharp immersion in it, to serious head injury.

When the child has had enough of playing, slowly start washing. Calmly and carefully pour water over the baby’s body, talk to him affectionately. The bathing sequence remains the same. Washing your hair can become difficult due to the fact that the child begins to show “character” and refuses to throw his head back, turns it in different directions and it is inconvenient for you to lather it so that the foam does not get into your eyes. When washing off the foam from a stubborn person, water, even without detergent, can get into the eyes and cause discomfort in them (stinging). The baby will begin to rub his eyes with his fists, cry, and refuse to wash himself.

To prevent these “small” troubles, you can use special protective visors, similar to the brim of a hat. They fit tightly on the head and prevent foam and water from getting into the eyes. At 12 months (if this has not happened earlier), you can move on to bathing in a large bath. Bathing time increases to 20 minutes or more. Babies are learning to walk and will try to walk in the bathtub. Therefore, in order to avoid slipping, it must have a safety feature - a rubber mat. It is also better to lay a special mat on the floor of the bathtub so that you also do not slip on the wet floor.

Attention to the child during water games should be doubled.

He can not only “dive” under water, but also reach various cosmetics, taste them. All unnecessary objects within the baby's reach should be removed. The taps should be on the opposite side of the child and tightly tightened so that he cannot reach them and turn them on. hot water. The baby's hair is washed last. He is already sitting in the bathroom, leaning back (on your hand) and throwing his head back. Avoid getting soapy water in your eyes and ears. The water should flow from the forehead to the back of the head. Those who are especially fidgety can continue to wear a special visor.

If a child is afraid of water...

Pour warm water into a large bowl and let him play in it with toys - bright waterfowl ducklings, baby frogs, plastic cups with which you can pour water back and forth. Let him splash his hands, gradually forgetting about his fear. Invite him to wash his handkerchief, his favorite car, doll dishes, or his favorite plastic toy. Together with him, wash the doll’s head, emphasizing that the doll is not afraid and does not cry. Let me go bubble etc. As a last resort, replace bathing with rubbing for a while. Wipe your baby with a wet diaper so as not to aggravate his fear. Try to bathe your baby in another room without pouring a lot of water into the bath...

Bath toys

The retail chain today offers a great variety of bathing toys, from classic ducks, boats, splash toys, mechanical wind-up animals that can “swim” to rubber books for the bath. Children are happy to catch fish in the bathroom with a fishing rod or net, ride bears in a boat, they like to pour water from a watering can on themselves, on you, on the floor...