There may be nothing cuter than a freshly cleaned infant wrapped in a hooded towel. However, there are several ways to approach bathing your baby when it comes to bathtime. This article will talk about the wonders of bathing with your baby!
In many countries around the world, parents bathing with their infant is the cultural norm. Joint parent and baby baths come with a unique set of wonderful benefits, but parents must know how to perform joint baths safely.
To learn more about joint baths, keep reading to learn specifics, benefits, dangers to be mindful of, how to approach this technique safely, and for a list of everything you will need to make your first joint bath a success!
The Benefits of Joint Parent and Baby Baths
This first section will look at the invaluable benefits of communal bathing!
It is an opportunity to practice skin to skin.
Skin to skin is exactly what it sounds like: it is the practice of holding your undressed baby directly onto your bare chest. Skin to skin has been said to regulate the hormones of mom and her baby, regulate baby’s temperature and heart rate, improve and strengthen emotional bond and attachment, and reduce the amount your baby cries!
It allows you to bathe/shower.
Any newborn parent can attest that during those early days and weeks, a shower or bath can be hard to come by during those early days and weeks! While getting into a bath with your little one might not be the tranquil, deeply-cleansing wash you may hope for, it is undoubtedly better than nothing!
Spending time in the bath can be a fun sensory experience
One of the fantastic things about infants is how intrigued they are when enjoying a new experience. By getting into the tub with your baby, they will feel comfortable and interested in playing with the water and exploring instead of feeling confused or fearful about the experience.
Warm water can encourage breastmilk letdown.
Some parents enjoy bathing with their infants because they find it comfortable for breastfeeding. This is especially the case for women coping with engorgement or mastitis; the warm water can be soothing and relieve pain.
It can be a convenient transition.
As mentioned earlier, showers can be hard to come by for a new parent. After completing a joint bath, the parent can easily pass the baby to a partner or other trusted adult so that they can do a full shower wash while the baby is dried off and dressed. For an attached baby who struggles to be away from one parent for any amount of time, this can ease separation anxiety.
Dangers to be Mindful Of
As wonderful as joint parent and baby baths are, they come with a unique set of dangers that the parent MUST be aware of to establish a safe environment for the baby. Here is a list of dangers to be mindful of:
Your baby will be slippery.
The extra soap and suds will inevitably result in your tiny infant being slipperier than ever. With that being said, the parent needs to remember that this bath is to clean the baby- not for relaxing!
Parents need to be alert and aware the entire time, always ensuring that they have a firm grip on their babies to prevent them from falling out of their grasp.
The level of the bathwater
Because there will be two people inside the tub instead of one, there will inevitably be more water in the tub. Anytime water is involved, there is a risk of drowning. Therefore, as mentioned earlier, it is crucial to be alert and aware at all times.
Newborns don’t need full baths
It is important to wait until after your baby’s umbilical cord has fallen off before you submerge the baby’s body in water. The American Academy of Pediatrics says a sponge bath roughly three times a week is adequate until your baby’s umbilical cord falls off or the circumcision wound heals.
Use warm, not hot water.
Most adults prefer a bath that is extremely warm or even hot. However, this is not suitable for a baby as it can cause burns or other damage. The ideal temperature for a baby bath is 100 degrees Fahrenheit. You can purchase special bath thermometers or rubber duckies to help regulate the temperature.
There is a risk of falling.
The best way to ensure your and your baby’s safety is to have another adult help when you are getting out of the tub. Pass the infant to the adult before standing up, and then use your hands to support you while you stand up on your own.
If another adult is not around, have a soft spot on the floor, like a plush bathmat, to place your baby on briefly while you climb out of the tub.
Tips to Make Bathtime Successful
Bathtime should be a calming and enjoyable experience for you and your baby. To help bath time go smoothly, here are a few helpful tips to remember.
- Prepare everything in advance. See below for a list of products to have ready at the tub!
- Avoid bubbles and other bathtub products that could irritate sensitive skin.
- Utilize the help of your partner/ a trusted adult whenever possible
- Never leave your baby unattended in the bath, even for a moment
- Sing and talk to your baby while bathing
Products to Make Bathtime a Success
Have your bath items prepped and ready to use to help bathtime to be as smooth and enjoyable as possible:
- A cozy towel
- Baby wash and shampoo
- Baby lotion
- Baby hairbrush
- Soft face cloths
All in all, a joint parent and baby bath is a wonderful opportunity to bond with your baby. As long as you take all precautions to ensure a safe experience, it is an entirely safe and wonderful experience.