tips from Norland College
Bath time is part of a daily routine which can fit in with your family. It is a special time which you can use to bond with your baby and it should be fun. In the evening it can be used as a calming activity in preparation for bedtime; in the morning, it is time to get ready for the day ahead.
Be prepared. have everything ready in the room that you are going to use (this room might not be the bathroom! - using a baby bath enables you to be flexible and if necessary move into a warmer room). When the baby is small, a scrupulously clean, bathroom basin, kitchen sink or washing up bowl could be used as an alternative - this will also save you from bending over the big bath. Norland top tip: Remember taps can drip and hot taps stay hot. Wrap a flannel round the taps to avoid burns and bumps.
Equipment to remember – any bathing toiletries you may wish to use, baby bath, towels (Norland top tip – have spare towels and nappies available in case the baby has an accident when undressed), clean clothes, any creams used for nappy changing.
Once bathing starts remember that babies or children should never be left unattended in water:
- If the telephone rings, ignore it.
- If you need to leave the bathroom, then wrap the baby up in a towel and take her/him with you.
- If you have another child / children of a different age(s), ensure that they are in a safe environment while you bath the baby (you don’t want to be distracted if they need help or attention). If appropriate, ask them to help you.
With twins you will need to be even more organised and disciplined. Enlist help and support from another adult if you can.
- Fill the bath. Norland top tip: Put cold water in first and add hot. This makes the temperature easier to control and avoids the bath tub holding any heat.
- Consider your baby, some are anxious about bath time; talk to them and explain what’s going to happen, however young they are. Make sure that the room is warm
- Undress the baby down to their nappy, wrap in a towel and ‘top’ the baby first before bathing.
- Remove the baby’s nappy – if it is really dirty, then a quick ‘tail’ is a good idea. Make sure that the bath water is at the right temperature - remember it cools quickly. Test water with your elbow NOT your hand (your elbow is more sensitive). The water should feel comfortably warm.
- Support the baby’s head with your wrist/forearm and hold them firmly with that hand around the shoulder and armpit area. Support them under the buttock area with your free hand and gradually slip the baby into the bath using a rocking motion.
- Use your free hand to wash the baby and to splash water over their body. This is a good opportunity to play bath games and for communication, but remember that the baby will lose their body heat quickly when wet. Norland top tip: If the baby is fractious in the bath, it may help to place a flannel over their body. This could help to make them feel more secure.
- Lift the baby out of the bath supporting them under the buttock area. They will be slippery - have the towel ready! Ensure that baby is thoroughly dry before dressing. Norland top tip: don’t use talcum powder on a baby as this could potentially irritate their respiratory system.
- If the baby’s clothes have been warming, remember that metal poppers and zips stay hot which could potentially burn them.
This information is for guidance only and should not be treated as a substitute for any other professional advice. If in any doubt, you should contact your Midwife or Health Visitor.
This article has been written by Norland College for Cuddledry.
(Cuddledry Ltd. is not the writer of this copy and accepts no responsibility for its content. This article been contributed to Cuddledry Ltd. by the author detailed).