Bathing is one of the most important requirements for baby girl health. It is also a wonderful opportunity to bond with the baby while you bathe and talk to them softly and soothingly. Babies are often not fond of their first baths, but if you do your best to make it a positive experience, they will come to enjoy the time together. Due to the anatomy of the female genitalia, the new mother should be careful that no part is left unclean, thus avoiding diaper rash in this delicate area. There are some precautions to take depending on the gender of your new little one.
What Time Should I Bathe My Baby?
When it comes right down to it, there is no perfect time to give a baby a bath. There are no rules about baby girl health being promoted by giving it at one time or another. But when it comes to the first bath at home, everyone in the family will want to be in attendance, so the early evening is usually good. It really all depends on your family schedule and having the time to devote to your baby girl without interruptions. Many parents do this in the evening after the baby has eaten and it is getting close to bedtime. Pretty much everyone finds a warm bath relaxing and this can help your baby relax and be less resistant to going to sleep.
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Approach the First Bath With Confidence
Every new parent is scared to death when giving the first at-home bath, and this is normal. Doing anything for the first time ever usually is a bit nerve-wracking. But it’s not rocket science and it’s very unlikely you will break your baby girl, so approach this with confidence. Your baby will pick up on your confidence and it will help her feel more at ease. However, don’t be surprised if she screams bloody murder when you put her in the water. Most babies will cry, but it’s not a risk to your baby girl health. Just relax and talk soothingly while you bathe her. She will soon become accustomed to it and come to enjoy it.
Get Everything Ready
When it becomes all about baby girl bathing and getting ready to bathe their baby girl, the first thing parents should do is to prepare everything needed to give the baby a bath, making sure that everything is within arm’s length. You certainly don’t want to finish the bath and realize you forgot the towel. Collect the baby wash, shampoo, washcloth, towel, lotion, diaper, and clothing so that it all is ready to go once you have your baby girl undressed. It’s also a good idea to set everything up in an area that is warm and free of drafts. It’s not good for your baby girl health if she catches a chill!
Test the Water Temperature
Before undressing the baby start warming the water and fill the baby bath with just a few inches of water. It’s really all you need. Next, check the water temperature. It is ideal to use a thermometer, but if you do not have one, put your wrist in the water and leave for 20 seconds. The temperature should be warm to cool ( 98 -100 °F / 36-38 °C). A baby’s skin is much more sensitive than an adult’s, so the thermal sensation is quite different. If it feels hot to you, it’s too hot for the baby. It’s important for your baby girl health that you don’t accidentally scald her or let her get too chilled. Some baby bathtubs have a thermometer built-in.
Safety
The first order of business is that when it is all about baby bathing, under no circumstances should you leave your baby alone in the bath. Therefore, turn off your phone or other objects that may divert focus. There is nothing more important than your baby girl health and safety! Even if the house is on fire. If that’s the case wrap the baby up and take her with you. This is a time when the baby needs 100% of your attention. Keep your baby warm by using a light towel or receiving blanket to cover areas that you are not currently washing. This also gives the little one a sense of security and it holds warmth, so they are less likely to cry.
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Wash Gently
Remember that your baby hasn’t done much aside from eat and sleep so she isn’t going to be particularly dirty. Bathing at this point is to remove dead skin (our bodies constantly shed) and bacteria. As far as actual dirt or sweat, that’s probably not something you’re going to find. So, with that in mind, you don’t have to scrub your baby. Your baby girl health can be happily maintained by gently stroking her with the sponge or washcloth. The only areas that might need a little more energy may be the vaginal area in order to remove diaper rash ointment.
What to wash first?
The bath should start at the head. This is where dirt accumulates the most. However, it is a very delicate area, so be careful of the fontanelles. Use a soft sponge or washcloth and be careful not to get soap into the baby’s eyes. Work your way down from there, gently wiping the eyes and face. Do a thorough job around the neck as this is an area that is prone to accumulate spit-up and drool and your baby girl health can be compromised if it is left to fester. Clean gently under the folds in the baby’s skin, because cleaning is all about baby bathing and her skin and helping it stay healthy. These areas can accumulate dead skin and moisture that can cause a rash.
Special care with baby’s belly button
Many parents are afraid or distressed about taking care of the newborn’s umbilical cord and belly button. Following the pediatrician’s instructions for umbilical care should result in having no problems for your baby girl health. Some doctors recommend cleaning the area with alcohol, some advise against it. But keeping it clean and dry is the priority. Prior to putting your baby girl in a bathtub, the umbilical should have fallen off. There is now a small wound that will heal on its own. However, it is still important to keep it clean and dry. During the bath, simply wipe it gently to clean it, and after the bath be sure that it is dry.
Cleaning the Genital Area
When it becomes all about baby girl bathing you want to be very gentle and careful about getting soapy water into the vaginal canal, as this can cause irritation and lead to infection. However, it is important to clean beneath the labia folds and remove any diaper ointment, powder, lint or whatever else may have accumulated there and on the surrounding area. Cleaning the anal area should be last. Although the baby’s behind should be fairly clean when you put her in the tub, you don’t want any remaining fecal bacteria getting in the water and let her remain in it. You may even want to hold her out of the water while cleaning the area and rinse thoroughly.
Drying Time
Time to dry your baby is as important as bathing. Make sure the baby has been rinsed properly, don’t leave any soap residue on the body as this will dry out your baby’s skin and that’s not good for baby girl health. You should have made the towels ready to receive the wet baby before you put her in the water. Lift her out and quickly place her on the towels, or wrap them around her quickly. Gently pat her dry, don’t rub and make sure to get into all those cute baby-fat folds. Be sure to dry between her legs before putting on a diaper.
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