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BATHING YOUR INFANT
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| BATHING YOUR INFANT |
New parents are often frightened of bathing their infant, and usually find that the first bath they give their baby is the most difficult. After one or 2 baths, it becomes easy, and the baby often enjoys it.
Doctors often suggest bathing a baby daily during warm weather, and every other day or less during cool weather, when a baby's skin is more susceptible to dryness. If a baby's diaper area and mouth are cleaned daily, it can go several days without a full bath. Baby bathtubs that can be placed in the kitchen sink, on a counter, or in the tub are easier to use than regular bath tubs for bathing small infants. Doctors often suggest keeping the water level below the navel or giving sponge baths until a few days after the umbilical cord has fallen off. Although getting the cord a little wet doesn't cause problems, completely submerging it could cause infection or interfere with its drying out and falling off.
Tap water without soap or a nondrying soap should be used, and the water should be tested with an elbow or wrist to make sure that it is not hot. If using a bath thermometer to test the water, the temperature should be between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Many newborns do not like to be naked and may fuss after the clothing is removed. Be sure to have all bathing supplies within reach and water comfortably warm before undressing the baby. The first few baths should proceed quickly to minimize the chance for the baby to become chilled. If sponge baths are used, the baby should be kept securely wrapped in a warm towel, exposing only the body part being washed.
After undressing the baby, the person bathing the baby should place his or her wrist under its head for support, and the fingers of that hand in its armpit, and put the baby in the tub. The baby's face should be washed with a soft cloth, but no soap, and the eyelids should be wiped with a piece of cotton soaked in water.
The baby's hair should be washed with a mild soap or baby shampoo once or twice a week. The suds should be wiped off the scalp with a damp cloth, and water should not be poured over the baby's face.
The baby's genital area should be washed, however soap should never be used when washing the inside of the female genital area. It should be rinsed with plain water and wiped from front to back to prevent irritation.
At the end of the bath the baby should be rinsed well, as soap residue can be irritating to the skin. The baby should be dried in a soft bath towel.
Newborns' skin does not need any lotions or creams, and oils or ointments should be avoided as greasy substances can cause heat rash or pimples. Talcum powder should not be used as it can cause chemical pneumonia if inhaled into the lungs.
Follow your physicians's instructions on how to care for the baby's cord or belly-button. The baby's toenails should be cut straight across to prevent ingrown toenails, but the fingernails should be rounded off to prevent scratches. The nails should be trimmed weekly after a bath when they are soft, with special baby scissors or clippers.
Even as the baby grows, and is able to sit or stand in the tub, to prevent accidents, the baby should never be left alone during a bath, even for a moment.
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