How to bathe a baby in a big bath

Hygiene is important to your baby’s health and development. The job of parents is to ensure safety and comfort. In the article, we will tell you about when you can bathe your child in the bathtub, and how to prepare for the procedure. How to bathe a baby in a big bath

Bathing in a large tub: pros and cons

Bathing is essential for children. Its benefits are undeniable:

• the body is tempered – the child becomes stronger, healthier;
• energy is wasted – the baby dangles with its legs, spins in the water, plays actively;
• the baby gets used to the water – he will not have fear of the sea, the river;
• healthy sleep – warm water relaxes, the child gets tired from active games and sleeps better;
• strengthening muscles, normalizing tone – water solves the problems of muscle hyper- and hypotonia.

The disadvantages include the baby’s possible fear of water procedures. He can cry, break free. Parents have to be on the lookout – you cannot take your eyes off the crumbs and not leave a single step. Carelessness of parents can turn into a tragedy.

When to bathe a newborn in a bath

The opinion of pediatricians is ambiguous. Some believe that the procedure can be started after the navel has fallen off, while others recommend starting ablution upon arrival home from the hospital.

American pediatricians, for example, advise mothers to wipe newborns with a damp sponge, and when the umbilical cord stump falls off, to bathe a month-old baby in a bathtub.

Joint bathing of the baby with a parent is also not prohibited, provided that the adult is properly hygienic and safety measures are observed.

Benefits of bathing together

Does your child dislike water but loves spending time with you? Get into the bath with him! Splashing together has several advantages:

1. The kid is not afraid to be in the water;
2. A close emotional contact is established between you;
3. You control the movements of the baby;
4. You do not have physical tension – you do not need to bend over the child, hold it, your back, arms and legs are relaxed.

It’s great to soak up the warm water with your mom if your baby lacks her attention during the day.

Please note: only same-sex parents can wash together with their one-year-old daughter and son.

How to bathe your baby in a bathtub safely

1. The child is under supervision. Don’t leave it for a minute. The child sits confidently, strives to reach for toys or a tap – all the more, do not lose your vigilance. A baby who does not sit must be constantly held. Remember: just a few centimeters of water is enough for a small child to choke;
2. Prepare all care products in advance. Place them at arm’s length away from you;
3. Measure the water temperature with a thermometer. The child will grow up, you will become more experienced – you will try with your elbow. The optimum temperature is 36.5 ° C – 37 ° C.
4. You don’t need to thoroughly bathe your newborn in the bathtub. Maintain it in clean water or herbal decoction. A washcloth, shampoo and gel are superfluous – a child of the first month of life does not get dirty so much. Aggressive washing will wash away the lipid protection from the skin, it will become dry;
5. You do not need to bathe your child in the bathtub for a long time. This can lead to dermatitis;
6. Perform eye, ear and nose hygiene separately. Do not pour water on the crumb’s face – it will be scared;
7. No need to bathe a newborn in a stuffy bathroom. It shouldn’t be hot in it. The optimum temperature is 24 ° C;
8. It is better to bathe the child in the bath at the same time. 60 minutes after meals, 40 minutes before or 60 minutes before bedtime.

Getting ready to bathe a newborn in a bath

You will need the following accessories and products during your water treatment.

Towel. Large, soft, terry. Better – a nursery with a corner. You will wrap the baby in it after washing.

Cloth napkin. You need it to get your face wet.

Hygiene products. Cotton pads for washing, sticks or turundas for cleansing the nose and ears.

Means for washing. Shower gel is needed when the baby is 1 – 2 months old.

Skin care products. Decoction of herbs – add to water. Oil, powder, emollient cream – after the procedure.

Optional  – a circle, a hat or a slide for swimming. We’ll talk about them later.

A bowl or cup of water  is for the face. Do not wash it with bath water.

Clothes, diaper. Dress your baby immediately after the water procedure.

How to bathe a baby in a bath: stages

Stage one. Prepare the necessary tools and accessories. Get some water. How much you need is up to you. For example, in Russia they prefer to bathe a month-old baby in a bathtub full of water. In the USA and Europe, they believe that enough water 5 cm deep is safer.

Stage two. Undress your baby. Place your back on your right forearm. If you are left-handed, change your hand.

Stage three. Put the baby in the water. Support your hand under your shoulder blades. The head rests on the forearm. Keep the baby firmly in the large tub.

Stage four. Start bathing your newborn in the tub. Speak to him affectionately. Act smoothly and gently.

Stage five. Complete the procedure. Run your hand under the body of the crumbs and take them out of the water. Wrap up in a towel immediately. Do not rush to take it out of the bathroom – let it cool down in it. Dress your baby.

You do not need to bathe your baby in a large bath for more than 8 minutes. The first bath should not exceed 3 – 5 minutes. After a few months, your baby can wallow in the water for half an hour.

When to bathe your baby in a big bathtub depends on the baby. Water relaxes him – bathe before bed, excites him – after sleep.

Baby wash sequence

It depends on the age of the baby. When washing babies several months old, consistency is not important. The main thing is to carefully examine all the folds: inguinal, armpits, under the knees, on the bends of the elbows, buttocks, on the neck, the skin behind the ears. They need to be rinsed and patted dry with a towel to avoid diaper rash.

Newborns squeeze their handles into fists – open them, rinse the skin between the fingers. The same goes for the toes.

Hold the baby under the shoulder blades with one hand, wash it free. Pour water over your tummy, chest, neck, and folds.

Moisturize your hair, try not to get water on your face and eyes. Do not wash your hair more than once a week.

Crawling babies get more dirty. Therefore, start bathing your baby in a large tub from top to bottom. First wash your hair and go down gradually down to your feet.

It is even more thoroughly necessary to bathe the child in the bathtub when he began to walk, play in the sandbox, and run on the street. Use baby gels and shampoos as needed.

What to bathe a child in a bath

You can add sea salt to the water without dyes and flavors, herbs. They are used for hygienic and medicinal purposes. Therefore, before adding them to your baby’s bath, consult your pediatrician.

Here’s the effect natural supplements have:

1. Sea salt – strengthens muscles in case of hypotonia, rickets;
2. Calendula – for skin inflammation, dermatitis;
3. Chamomile – cleanses the skin, relieves irritation, but dries;
4. A series – acts similarly to chamomile, but does not dry the skin. Eliminates dryness and redness during diathesis;
5. Plantain – will help with skin rashes;
6. Thyme – relieves irritation and inflammation of the skin, swelling with bruises.

For relaxation, it is good to bathe your child in a bath with a decoction of oregano, lavender, valerian or motherwort. These herbs strengthen and calm the nervous system, give sweet dreams to the baby. Bathe your child in them in the evening, before going to bed.

Pediatricians advise mothers to alternate regular baths with herbal ones.

How to bathe a child in a bath: ways

There are several options: circle swimming, slide swimming and swimming. Let’s consider their advantages and the technique of the procedure.

Swimming with a circle

The circle is similar to the usual one for swimming in the sea. It is put on the baby’s neck and keeps it on the surface of the water. Adaptation is needed to a greater extent by parents, and not by a child: it reduces the load from the back and hands of adults. With him, mom and dad do not need to be bent over the child.

Opinions about the benefits and harmlessness of the circle for children differ. Many osteopaths and traumatologists have a very negative attitude: a circle can cause injury to the cervical spine. He is still very weak in a baby – the risk is great.

How to bathe your baby in a large bathtub with a circle.

First – use for a baby at least 3 months old.

Second, the duration of bathing is a maximum of 10 minutes.

The third is to swim only on the back.

Fourth, take a full bath of water.

Fifth – be guided by the child’s reaction. If he doesn’t like it, shoot.

Sixth – do not use with contraindications. These include: dermatological problems, high intracranial pressure, injuries (fractures, dislocations) that make it difficult to put on the circle.

There is an alternative to the circle – a foam hat. It is safer for the neck than a circle. You will have to hold on to the crumb – for this, the hats are equipped with long ribbons. It is possible that the baby can go face down under the water – control the position of the head.

Swimming with a slide

Another device to make life easier for parents. There are different options for slides : in the form of a hammock, plastic, fabric. More often they buy plastic ones – they are more practical.

The slide allows one person to carry out a water procedure: collect the gel, plant the baby, wash off the foam. Thanks to the device, the child does not need to be held.

How to bathe your baby in a large tub on a slide.

First, secure it securely in the bathroom. It must be stable.

Second, fill the bathroom with water. It should cover half of the slide. Wait for it to warm up. You can put a film on it.

Thirdly, the water should reach the baby’s neck – not higher. Otherwise, he can swallow water, get scared. If the water reaches the level of the chest, this is not enough – the child will freeze.

Fourthly, do not leave the crumbs unattended for a second!

Swimming without a slide and a circle

Breast swimming has many benefits.

It forms a positive attitude towards water in the baby, a normal reaction to temperature changes.

It hardens the body – children with good immunity get sick less.

Promotes harmonious physical development – strengthens muscles, forms posture, prevents scoliosis in the future.

Babies who swam in the bathroom from the first weeks of life begin to crawl, sit, stand, walk, run earlier. They are physically stronger.

Swimming increases hemoglobin levels. This is due to the release of red blood cells during exercise. Blood circulation improves, blood pressure normalizes, lungs work better.

Swimming is an excellent prevention of colds and allergies in newborns. Swimming has a positive effect on the nervous system of the baby: he sleeps better, is calm.

A close emotional bond is established between mother and baby through physical contact during swimming.

Safe sailing rules

The optimal age is 3-4 weeks. By this time, the baby will gain weight, adapt to new living conditions, and get a little stronger. His umbilical wound will heal. Mom will get used to the little man and will become more confident in contact with him.

Preparing a bath. First you need to wash it – with soda or laundry soap.

We collect water. Do your first workouts in warm water – 35 ° C. Over the next 2 to 3 months, the temperature can be reduced to 32 ° C, but not lower.

We follow the baby. They immersed him in water and he cries – the water is cold, add warm. Whimpers, and then actively works with his legs and hands – you guessed it with the temperature. Relaxed and does nothing – add cool water.

Naturally hardened. During the procedure, the water cools down. Do not add warm – let the baby wallow in the water. This is a double benefit: it strengthens muscles and hardens.

How to keep a young swimmer

Take the child by the hand and run it along the surface of the water. Then take it vertically and touch the water with your feet, then submerge them completely in it.

Continue to lower the baby while holding upright. Speak to him softly and confidently – he will feel your positive and calm attitude.

Place the child horizontally in the water. You can support it in one of the ways.

The first method is under the chin. Place the baby on the tummy. Place his chin in your palm – hold your head.

The second method is under the back of the head. Place the baby on its back in the water. Place your hand under the back of his head and grab his head.

Try both options and choose the one that suits the baby and you best.