How to keep a baby safe in a bath tub?
Never leave your baby unsupervised, even for a minute. If the doorbell or phone rings and you feel you must answer it, scoop him up in a towel and take him with you.
Never put your baby into a tub when the water is still running. (The water can quickly get too deep or hot). Set your water heater to 24-26°C or you can check by your elbow. Never leave your child unattended. (Yes, it's so important we listed it twice). A child can drown in less than an inch of water and in less than 60 seconds.Step by step: How to bathe your baby?
- You need to keep your newborn baby warm at bath time . Make sure the room and water are warm, and close any doors and windows.
- Wash your hands, and then gather all your bath supplies that you're going to need. These may include a top-and-tail bowl, sponge or flannel, a cleanser, at least one clean towel, and at least one set of clean clothes and nappies. Newborns can wee and poo unexpectedly, so it’s best to be prepared.
- Fill the tub with about 3 inches of water that feels warm, but not hot, to the inside of your wrist.
- Gradually slip your baby into the tub feet first, using one hand to support her neck and head. Pour cupfuls of bath water over her regularly during the bath so she doesn't get too cold.
- Use mild soap and use it sparingly (too much dries out your baby's skin). Wash her with your hand or a washcloth from top to bottom, front and back. Start by washing her scalp with a wet, soapy cloth. As for your baby's genitals, a routine washing is all that's needed.
- Rinse your baby thoroughly with cupfuls of water, and wipe her with a clean washcloth. Then very carefully lift her out of the tub with one hand supporting her neck and head and the other hand supporting her bottom. Wrap your fingers around one thigh. (Babies are slippery when wet.) If it's possible, have another adult help by receiving your baby in a dry towel.
- Wrap your baby in a hooded towel and pat her dry. If her skin is still peeling from birth, you can apply a mild baby lotion after her bath, but this is generally dead skin that needs to come off anyway, not dry skin. Then diaper her, dress her, and give her a kiss on her sweet-smelling head.
- Gently sweep the cotton wool across your baby's eye, starting from the corner near her nose. Use a fresh piece of cotton wool for each wipe so that you don't spread any goo from one eye to the other.
- Using fresh, damp cotton wool, wipe your baby's ears, and then wipe behind her ears. These areas can become milky and sweaty. Don’t clean inside the ears, as you could damage your baby's eardrum.
- If your baby's skin tends to be dry, you could smooth on a mild baby moisturizing lotion, cream or oil.
- Now dress your baby in clean clothes. Newborns lose heat rapidly so, depending on how warm it is, you may want to wrap her in a warm blanket.
Umbilical cord care
After the umbilical cord is cut at birth, a stump of tissue remains attached to your baby's belly button (navel). The stump gradually dries and shrivels until it falls off, usually 1 to 2 weeks after birth. It is important that you keep the umbilical cord stump and surrounding skin clean and dry. This basic care helps prevent infection. It may also help the umbilical cord stump to fall off and the navel to heal more quickly.
Diaper rash
Diaper rash is an irritation of the skin caused by dampness, urine, or feces. Many rashes can be treated as follows:
- Change diapers frequently.
- Keep the area dry and clean. Check the diaper often, every hour if the baby has a rash and change the diaper as soon as it is wet or soiled. Check at least once during the night. Good air circulation is also important for healthy skin.
- Frequent and vigorous washing with soap can strip the baby's tender skin of natural protective barriers. Wash gently but thoroughly, including the skin folds. Plain water may be the best cleaning agent when there is a rash.
- Instead of cleaning the baby's bottom with a moist wipe or washcloth, hold the diaper area over the sink and let warm water wash over the inflamed skin. Then dry the area using a blow-dryer set on cool.
- Leave diaper off for a while.
- Do not use airtight rubber pants over the diaper area. Some cloth-like disposable diapers promote better air circulation than plastic-type diapers. If disposable diapers are used, it helps to punch holes in them to let in air.
- Consult your pediatric to prescribed medication if the rash persist.
Nails cut
When clipping, hold your baby's finger, pressing the fingertip pad down and away from the nail. Gently snip following the natural curve of the fingernail, taking care that you don't go too low and nip the quick. When tending her tiny toes, cut nails straight across.
Quick tips
- Dress your baby in the same number of layers you’re wearing, plus one extra layer for warmth. A few bunny rugs or wraps will be very handy for wrapping your newborn baby.
- Do NOT use adult-sized nail clippers, use baby nail scissors that have blunt rounded tips or baby nail clippers.
- Some newborns may need to be awakened every3 -4 hours to make sure they get enough to eat.
- Try burping your baby every 2-3 ounces (60-90 milliliters) if you bottle-feed, and each time you switch breasts if you breastfeed.
- Remove all fluffy bedding, quilts, sheepskins, stuffed animals, and pillows from the crib to ensure that your baby doesn't get tangled in them or suffocate.
- Changing diaper for newborn: every 2-3 hours clean the diaper area with a wet wipe/washcloth wiping from the front to back will help prevent spreading bacteria, and make sure that u thoroughly clean, between the skin folds.
- Before showers don’t forget to take your baby temperature should be above 36.5°c.
- If your baby complains from gas, there are several things you can do to help coax the gas out. Lifting her up slightly on her stomach, gently massage her belly. Or place her on her back and "try moving her legs and hips around as if she were riding a bike.
References:
"Newborn Care." Bathing Your Newborn. N.p., July 2015. Web. Sept. 2016."Newborn Care." Umbilical Cord Care in Newborns. N.p., 19 Nov. 2015. Web. Sept. 2016.
"Newborn Care." Diaper Rash. N.p., n.d. Web. Sept. 2016.