How to bathe the baby? Essential tips for this moment!

1. Set the bathtub to a comfortable height to bathe the baby

In addition to the baby grandmotherYou should feel comfortable bathing him. This is critical so that your position is good enough and the baby is held in the safest way.

So, leave the bathtub at a very comfortable height. If it is necessary to raise the piece a little so that it follows your height, place supports underneath.

2. Support the baby in the right hand by the buttocks and thigh

The best way to bathe the baby, avoiding any trauma, is to give the correct support to his little body. Thus, the baby must be held with the forearm supported under the back, supporting its entire torso.

Your hand should be between his buttocks and his thigh, so that the position is not uncomfortable for him, and the weight is distributed over your arm. It is also very important that the baby’s head is positioned more vertically, to prevent it from drooping or getting in a bad way.

3. Always use warm water

Warm water is almost a commandment at baby bath time. So never let it boil. As soon as it starts to get hot, transfer it to the bathtub and check with the underside of your forearm (where you have the thinnest skin) how the temperature is.

The water should be 37ºC or 38ºC, so if you have a digital thermometer to measure, use it to ensure the best temperature for your child.

4. Start bathing the baby by washing his face

Start bathing your baby, from the face, as this is the part of the body that is less dirty compared to the others. That way, there’s no risk of dirt getting in contact with his face later.

Gently pass the water over the ears and forehead, then on the face, calmly and without rubbing, so as not to irritate the child’s skin.

5. Clean the belly button with alcohol

The navel deserves special attention when bathing in the child.

Therefore, after washing with the proper soap, pass a cotton swab soaked in 70% alcohol. It will ensure asepsis (deep cleaning that kills bacteria and viruses) in the area.

6. Dry the folds well

The folds are the parts of a baby’s body that are just like an adult’s: they accumulate water and dirt, and they can get baked if they aren’t dried thoroughly after a bath.

Then, dry the baby’s folds, common in the groin, thighs and arms, with a towel, always touching it and never rubbing.

Under no circumstances pass a hair dryer on the child, as it can burn the baby’s skin.

7. Do not leave drafts or open windows nearby.

The best ways to bathe your baby avoid leaving you and your baby near a window or in a draft.

Hot water will warm the child’s body, so he can’t get cold air, which would lead to a cold or flu, and a lot of discomfort for the baby.

Newborn taking a bath. Photo: Freepik

How to bathe the baby? Top questions!

1. What is the ideal frequency for bathing?

A newborn can take a bath a day, as long as it needs cleaning.

We remind you that children’s skin is quite sensitive, and it is not recommended that consecutive baths be done, as they can irritate their skin.

Always use good quality products too, as they are the other important half of how to bathe your baby, with the guarantee of safety. What types are recommended?

Neutral or chamomile soaps and shampoos are the most suitable for this use, as there is no risk of causing allergies in the baby.

Due to the climatic conditions and cultural aspects, Brazilians usually bathe their children a day, even those who have just been born.

However, according to the American and European Pediatric Societies, if a newborn takes three to four baths a week, that’s enough.

2. How to clean baby’s ear and umbilical cord?

When bathing, it is very important to protect the baby’s ear so that the water does not come into direct contact with the ear and cause otitis, an ear infection. Prefer to clean the area after bathing with a piece of moistened diaper.

The umbilical stump must be cleaned regularly to prevent infections. For hygiene, use flexible swabs moistened with 70 alcohol and forget about that tradition of placing objects that would facilitate healing, such as a coin.

In addition to the lack of scientific evidence, they can increase the chances of proliferation of microorganisms. The stump usually falls off on its own after 10 to 15 days of birth.

3. What is the ideal bath time and what is the best soap?

As already mentioned, the water temperature should be close to body temperature, or slightly lower, that is, between 36ºC and 37.5ºC.

It is also important to point out that baths in the newborn should be quick: no more than 5 minutes. The areas of greatest attention are always the face, neck, buttocks and genital region.

At this stage, the baby can be sanitized only with water. Parents who opt for soaps can use the syndets, also known by the name of synthetic detergents or “soap-free soaps”, special for babies. They cause less irritation to the baby’s skin and don’t foam as much. It is always best to choose one without fragrance.

Traditional bar and glycerin soaps should not be used as they can cause drying and destroy the lipid surface layer, responsible for protecting the baby’s skin.

Research also points out that, although cleaning agents are available in bar and liquid versions, their use in the liquid version is more recommended, because they act more effectively in cleaning fecal and urinary residues.

4. How to bathe using the bathtub?

To bathe in the bathtub, always make sure the water temperature is adequate and make sure that the bathtub is properly seated in the holder. Also make sure that all doors and windows are closed to prevent drafts and temperature variations.

As newborns are still very squishy, ​​some experts recommend using a soft towel that wraps the baby during the bath. In addition to preventing the little ones from slipping and hurting themselves with the plastic surface of the bathtub, the towel helps to maintain their body temperature.

5. Is it necessary to “rub” the baby’s skin with a cloth or sponge?

As the newborn’s skin is extremely sensitive and also has a layer of fat, responsible for protecting it from bacteria and other infectious agents, it is NOT indicated to rub the body.

Just spread the soap with your hands and the baby will be clean.

6. Can baby use shampoo?

Use is not recommended as long as the strands are short, thin and fragile. But, if parents choose to use them, it is important that they follow the characteristics of the products indicated by specialists: pH close to that of the tear to avoid irritation of the eyes, soft and slightly detergents, without strong aromas.

Another important tip in this case is that parents do an allergy test on a small surface of the child’s skin before actually using the shampoo, to avoid the development of allergic conditions, always following the recommendation of the responsible pediatrician.

7. What substances can be harmful to the baby?

Experts and scientific studies have proven that the following substances can cause irritation to the baby’s skin and, depending on the case and the amount used, can trigger serious allergic conditions:

• Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS): It is a potent skin irritant that can damage the lipid barrier and cause inflammation and detachment of skin layers. When combined with other products, such as triclosan, it tends to stick to the skin for hours or days;
• Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) and ammonium laureth sulfate: are agents that form the foam of products such as toothpaste, shower gel, foam for bathtubs. They are irritating, can damage proteins and cause oral ulcers;
• Methylisothiazoline: found in shampoos and conditioners, has been linked to neurological defects;
• Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, ethylparaben and butylparaben): found in baby lotions and shampoos and also in cleaning wipes. May cause contact dermatitis and skin rashes.

8. Can my child shower with me?

There is no consensus between…