Tub Bathing Your Baby

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it?

• You may begin tub bathing your baby once his umbilical (um-BIL-i-kal) cord falls off, and has healed. If you have a baby boy, also wait until his circumcision (erk-kum-SIZH-un) is healed before tub bathing. At first, your baby may cry and kick when he is in a tub. With time, your baby will adjust to having his clothes off, being wet, and bathed. Your child's safety and comfort are important when tub bathing him.
  
  
• For the first six months, bathe your baby in a baby bathtub or clean, plastic basin. Once your baby can sit up without help (around six months), you may bathe him in the family bathtub. Your baby should only need a bath two or three times per week during his first year. Bathing every day may dry out your baby's delicate skin. Good times to bathe your baby are before feedings, naps, or bedtime.

How do I give my baby a tub bath?

• Choose a room that is warm and free of drafts (cool breezes). To prevent drafts in the room, close the windows and turn off fans.
  
  
• Gather your supplies.
  
  
  • Water basin (baby bathtub or clean, plastic basin or dishpan).
    
    
  • Mild soap and shampoo. Baby soap and shampoo are best to use.
    
    
  • Clean washcloths and towels.
    
    
  • Clean diaper and clothes.
    
    
  • Baby nail clippers.
  
  
• Set your baby's tub inside an adult bathtub or sink. Do not put the tub on a countertop. Once the countertop and your baby get wet, they become slippery. This may cause your baby to fall.
  
  
• Fill your baby's tub with water. Fill a baby bathtub, or clean, plastic basin or dishpan with two to three inches of warm water. Test the water. Drip some of the water onto your wrist or inner arm. It should feel warm, not hot. If you are using a bath thermometer, the water temperature should be 90° F to 100° F (32.3° C to 37.8° C). Keep your household hot water heater temperature set at less than 120° F (48.9° C).
  
  
• Slowly put your baby's body into the water. Support the back of his head and neck with one hand. Hold his bottom (rear end) with your other hand. Once your baby is in the tub, keep his face above the water level at all times. While bathing, support the back of your baby's head and neck with one hand. Use your other hand to wash your baby.
  
  
• Wash your baby's face first. Wash your baby's face and around his ears using a wet washcloth and no soap. Rinse off the eyelids with fresh water. Use a clean part of the washcloth for each eye. Wipe from the inside of the eyes and out toward the ears. Wash outside and behind each ear. Do not put cotton swabs in your baby's ears. This can hurt your baby's ears. Use shampoo to wash your baby's hair if needed.
  
  
• Wash the rest of your baby's body. Use soap and water to wash the rest of his body. Always wash your baby's diaper area (his bottom) last. Be sure to clean inside all skin folds, such as armpits and the diaper area where there are rolls of fat. Rinse your baby's skin well and wrap him in a towel.
  
  
• Never leave your baby alone while tub bathing him, not even for a few minutes. Your baby can drown in even a few inches of water. If you must leave the room, wrap your baby in a towel and take him with you.
  
  
• Clip your baby's nails right after his bath. Your baby's nails should be very soft after his bath. Use baby nail clippers, a soft emery board, or rounded-tip toenail scissors. If your baby is too active after the bath, try clipping the nails when your baby is sleeping. Trim your baby's fingernails so that they are short enough that he cannot scratch himself. Your baby's fingernails may grow quickly and need trimming one or two times per week. Your baby's toenails may grow slower and need trimming less often.
  
  
• Call your baby's caregiver if: Your baby develops a rash that is spreading or will not go away. Also call if your baby has a birthmark that is getting bigger.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your baby's care. To help with this plan, you must learn about bathing your baby. You can then discuss options with your baby's caregivers. Work with them to decide what care will be used to treat your baby. You always have the right to refuse treatment

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