8 Baby Bath Tips for Happy, Stress-free Tub Time

Being a new parent, you may have pictured your baby bathing in bubbles, splashing water around.
But the first bath session may leave you confused as the baby starts getting irritated.

If that's true, you might be doing it all wrong. It's time you start thinking of it as less of a bathtime and
more of playtime.

Here are a few amazing tips that will make bath time fun for your babies and make them accustomed
to enjoying the bathtub.

Bath them Sparingly
If you are itching to clean your newborn every day and give them a refreshing bath, calm down.
Babies have a special waxy coating called the vernix caseosa, which retains the moisture in their skin.
It helps regulate their body temperature too.

Give them a little cleanup with a sponge and warm water after their umbilical cord falls. Wait until the
navel has healed before bathing them in a tub. Bathing them once or twice a week is enough until
your baby starts crawling, eating food, and playing along the ground.

Use Tear-Free Shampoo
Your baby is as sensitive as she looks. So pay special attention to the products you use to clean her.
Avoid using soaps or skincare products that you use on the baby. If your baby has any hair or you
want to clean up their bottom, choose a tear-free shampoo made for babies.

Also, pay attention to the fragrance of the baby wash. Lavender washes tend to make your baby
drowsy and hence sleep quicker.

Use a Bath Mat
Your baby's skin is already slippery and soft. This is exaggerated when you apply soap and shampoo
on her. You may hurt her accidentally by slipping her off your hands. To avoid that, place a bathmat
on the bathtub you are using.

If you don't have a mat right now, you can place a towel on the baby bathtub floor too. Pads or pillows
can also be useful in keeping the baby still and in one spot.

Get the Baby Ready for the Bath

Babies get anxious and may feel shocked while experiencing something new. You must keep this in
mind the first few times you are bathing your baby. Try to make them as comfortable as you can by
singing a lullaby or rubbing their backs.

Make the baby ease into the bath instead of rushing it. Once your baby starts feeling comfortable in
the bathtub, she would enjoy splish-splashing around. Try using a soothing voice. Choose a time
when the baby is energetic and isn't feeling sleepy, and get in the bath with them to make the session
comfortable.

Hold Your Baby During Bathing
Babies can often feel nervous in a new environment like a bathtub. It's a good idea to get in the bath
with them. If both the parents are available, one should hold the baby while the other bathes them.
They'd help them keep calm and make the session enjoyable too.

You can have a little fun with your baby but try to keep the shampoo away from their eyes. Also, avoid
using a direct shower on their face. A handheld shower comes in pretty useful as you can direct the
streams to the right places at the right speed. Keep a small baby towel around regularly and gently
wipe away the water that enters their eyes.

Set Temperature of Water
The best temperature to bathe your baby is around 100°F. So it's wise to make the water a bit warm
in the geyser before putting your baby inside. You can buy a thermometer or use your wrist or elbow
to check if the temperature is too hot or too cold.

Don't put your baby inside the tub, even if it feels slightly hot. The baby's skin is sensitive and can
burn quickly. Likewise, avoid putting your baby in a bathtub of cold water, which may make him sick.

Choose the Right Bathtub
Having a good bathtub for your baby can get half the job done. The right bathtub already has a
padded foam back and support bump, so you don't need to care about putting a towel inside.

You should choose a compact bathtub that doesn't immerse your baby completely inside and has
proper drainage. Check out this list from Everything Mom to choose the best bathtub for your newborn
online.

Avoid After Bath Products
Newborn babies don't need any kind of after-bath products like lotions and baby powders. A gentle
pat on their body with a towel is enough to get them dry.

You should particularly avoid baby products that contain paraben, artificial fragrances, and
formaldehyde. These chemicals contain various allergens to which you don't want to expose your
baby.

Conclusion
Once your baby starts sitting and crawling, you can shift them to a regular bathtub. That's where the
real fun begins with your baby playing with bath toys around. Until then, do your best to accustom
them to bathing by following the tips given above. Feel free to inquire about any doubts or additional
tips regarding baby bathing in the comments.