The first bath

Shortly after birth, you can begin to incorporate bathing into your Baby’s daily routine.

If you gave birth in the hospital, the midwife explained everything necessary about bathing the baby. Being told about bathing and then doing it yourself can be two vastly different things. You will probably be a little nervous if this is your first baby. But do not worry, you will soon have learned all the tricks to proper baby bathing!

• Choose a warm room (approx. 24 °C) for the bath. Undress your baby and wrap him in a towel.
• Fill the tub with a small amount of water. Usually, 20 centimeters of water is enough, and the water should be a comfortable 37 °C.
• Put your baby in the water immediately after undressing so that he does not cool down.
• Support your baby’s head with one hand and place his feet first in the tub.
• The baby’s head and neck should always be above the water for safety reasons.
• You can gently splash or pour warm water over your baby to keep him warm in the tub.
• Clean the face and hair with a washcloth and shampoo the scalp once or twice a week.
• Wash the body, starting at the chest, with warm water. You can use a damp cloth or washcloth for this.
• Lift your baby out of the water and dry him gently.

Bathing can be an exceptional time of mutual attention for the mother and the baby. In addition, most babies love a bath, and when they are a little older, they are also fond of short water games. Be careful not to get the water in the eyes or cool the baby down. You can think of your Baby’s laughter and gurgling as a barometer that will let you know how comfortable your baby is.

Tip: Never leave your baby unattended in the bathtub, even for a second. Babies can drown quickly, even in a small amount of water.