Bathing a newborn might seem like a daunting task, especially when you have to give them a full-on water bath daily. In actuality, you do not need to give your baby a full-on water bath every day, as they really don’t get dirty. Different bath types will ensure your baby is kept neat and comfy without you having to repeat the same bathing routine daily, or even having to give them a full-on water bath. Here we run through the baby bath types, in summary, highlighting the important points to note while linking you to more detailed material within our website where you can get the complete information on each bath type.
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Sponge Bath
Baby’s First Bath
A sponge bath is the regular type of bath most parents opt for when bathing a newborn. Although this rigorously cleans the baby, you should not give your baby a sponge bath daily. You want to give them a sponge bath 2-3 times a week to avoid excess water damaging their skin. Sponge baths require you to check the temperature of the water with a thermometer, and where one isn’t available you can use your elbow to feel for the right temperature (not hot, and not cold). Most sponge baths are done either in the bathroom or in the kitchen depending on the items being used.
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Where To Give A Sponge Bath When Bathing a Newborn
Depending on the items being used when bathing a newborn, you can either give your baby a sponge bath in the kitchen using a baby bath sink insert, or you can give them one in the bathroom using the bathtub. When using the kitchen sink ensure to get a soft baby bathtub to insert so that their heads are protected against the surface of the sink. When in the bathroom, you should ensure to get anti-slip mats to avoid accidents. In the bathroom, you can either bathe the baby in the adult tub (while you are in it with them) or you can use a baby bathtub. The baby bathtub can be used alone or inserted in the adult tub.
How To Give A Sponge Bath
This is a baby skincare bath focused method. Once you get your needed items, all you need to do is prepare the bathing water – which should be at a temperature of approximately 100℉. If you’re getting in the bathtub with them (adult tub) you need to first get into the tub then bring the baby in onto your lap. If you’re bathing them in their tub you need to first draw the water and ensure the temperature is appropriate before you put them in. Use a gentle baby sponge to scrub them starting from the face, hands, and trunk, and then down to the legs and privates (in that order). Rinse them thoroughly with non-soapy water afterward.
Bathing A Newborn: Simple Shower
It’s Time to Shower
Although this isn’t a baby skincare intensive method, you can have a shower with your baby. You can shower with them and use soap to wash them, or even a sponge. You can also just shower with them without using either soap or sponge. A shower gets them clean without having to go through the lengthier process of topping and tailing or giving them a sponge bath. Both sponge baths and top-and-tail routines require preparation, but a shower does not (apart from the clothes they will need to wear afterward of course). You do not want to use hot water for a shower, and preferably use the shower during the hot season when you can use the cooler water so it’s not a shock for the adult.
Topping And Tailing for Bathing a Newborn
When Complete Bathing is Not Required
Topping and tailing is a simple cleaning routine that does not require the use of soap and that can be used as a substitute on days when you do not give your baby a sponge bath or full-on water bath. Topping-and-tailing is one of the best bathing routines to use next to a sponge bath. For babies, it can have the same cleansing effects but take less time, less water, and no soap. You can top-and-tail your baby in their bathtub on a baby bath sink insert in the kitchen sink. You should only top and tail your baby within the first week of them being born.
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When To Opt For A Top And Tail
There are different times you can give your baby a bath. There are situations when you may want to opt more for a top-and-tail routine (not a baby skin bath focused method) rather than a full-on sponge bath. As part of a regular routine, except for the baby’s first week after being born (in which case you should only opt for a top-and-tail until they are ready for a full-on water bath) you do not want to go with only a top-and-tail routine. You can top-and-tail thrice a week and then the other days go for a shower or sponge bath. You may also want to top-and-tail more during the winter season so your baby doesn’t catch a cold.
Things To Avoid When Topping And Tailing
You want to avoid getting water in your baby’s ears when bathing a newborn or any child. Infants should never have anything go into their ears, and one of the main reasons for opting for a top-and-tail is the need for using a lot of water. You should also avoid the usage of soap on the baby’s skin when topping and tailing as this would mean more water needed to get the soap off. When topping and tailing, the washcloth used is also to be squeezed properly before being used to avoid trickling water on the baby’s skin. This routine is not for a total cleaning, but just for getting the hands, face and bottom clean.
Things To Do When Topping And Tailing
When you top and tail you must ensure to always use different cotton wools for each part you clean. Do not use the back of cotton wool to clean another part as this might lead to the transfer of bacteria from one part of the baby’s body to the other. You should also ensure to clean the eyes from the bottom up. Immediately after a top-and-tail routine, you should always change the baby’s diapers. Clean the baby’s privates without using soap. You want to gently wipe with cotton wool and avoid using excess water or any form of cleansing solution whatsoever. Both boys’ and girls’ privates are self-cleaning so you do not need to rigorously clean those parts.
What You Need For Each Routine
The requirements for each routine for bathing a newborn are very similar. You can use a baby bath sink insert for both sponge baths and top-and-tail routines. You will also need towels, soap for sponge baths, cotton wool, two wash clothes for topping-and-tailing, a clean diaper for any of the routines, and a bathtub for sponge baths. A hooded towel is also an excellent resource guaranteed to make your baby smile. A shower does not require much apart from the towel needed to dry the baby’s skin after the routine. Each routine has its requirements and this list is not exhaustive but offers the basic requirements.
Switching Ways Of Bathing A Newborn
Each bath type has its use and how often you can go on giving your baby that type of cleaning routine. You should generally consider switching between different types of routines for bathing a newborn during the week. This means on some days you give your baby a rigorous cleaning routine (sponge bath) and on some days you top-and-tail. You want to avoid going an entire week of giving your baby a rigorous sponge bath, or topping-and-tailing. The excess usage of water on the baby’s skin from baths might dry out your baby’s skin.
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