Bathing a newborn

NextSteps · 19-01-2011 02:33PM #1

[Another clueless pregnant woman thread]

What is the best arrangement for bathing a newborn? In the kitchen sink, a standard baby bath, sitting in the bath with him/her, sponge baths, a tummy tub, some other contraption...?

All advice welcome as I want to stock up on whatever equipment we're going to need! Thanks!

cynder · 19-01-2011 02:38PM

Anything that works for you and does not hurt your back.

Priority it the temperature of the water, i had a bathing unit but found it easier to bath her in the baby bath on the floor in the living room and have everything placed around me. The living room was warmer than the kitchen and bathroom especially in winter.

dark crystal · 19-01-2011 02:38PM

I would say a baby bath placed in the big bath is the way to go.

When the baby is able to sit up unaided (around 6 months), get one of those special bath chairs - babies are slippery!

There's no harm having a baby in the bath with you, as long as you don't mind sitting in shallow, lukewarm water!

wolfpawnat · 19-01-2011 02:41PM

I used a baby bath and a special sponge for my baby. I did it in the living room because as a previous poster said it is warmer.

Hope this helps OP

strewthelvis · 19-01-2011 02:44PM

hi ya,. as a mom of a nine month old i would say the first few months its the kitchen sink i found it most comfortable for my back and just easier all around just because you feel as if you have more control of the situation. Since bubs turned six months or so and i have one of those bath seats for her and it works well. But definately in the beginning the sink i have one of those changing stations but never quiet trusted it

January · 19-01-2011 04:09PM

I had a baby bath for my two and when they were really little placed it on the coffee table in the sitting room, and then moved it to the floor as they got bigger.

They're now both in the big bath and love splashing around, although the 11 month is still in her bath seat cos she's a bit unstable and likes to roll around....

Bill2673 · 19-01-2011 04:12PM

For the first, as standard baby bath on the kitchen table

For the second we used the baby bath but put it in our own bath.

Incidentally.....we didn't baby either until at least a month, maybe two months, can't remember for sure....

Bill2673 · 19-01-2011 04:15PM

btw, nothing clueless about the question.....

who the heck has experience of bathing a new born if they don't have kids already.

Not asking the question would be a lot more clueless.

BostonB · 19-01-2011 04:39PM

+1 on all the above.

Be prepared get all the stuff around.
Watch the back. Do not hurt your back.
Because you never leave a baby/kid in a bath to go get something.
Babies are very slippy. So use all the help you can.

Started with baby baths, but with siblings we just used main bath with sponge bath support mat etc. Something like this

upinthesky · 19-01-2011 04:44PM

i think a baby bath seat that you put in your own bath works really well because you have your two hands free

with the baby tub you need to keep a hold of your little one so you have only one hand to use which can be tricky but still does the job

the advantages of the baby bath is you can bath your baby in the sitting room beside the fire which (in my house) is alot warmer

http://www.allbaby.co.uk/baby-bath-seat.html
here is a link to the bath seat

Amberjack · 19-01-2011 09:46PM

Tescos are selling those Summer bathseats for 9.99 and they have newborn support, only seem to be in blue though. I saw the pink ones in Smyths for 19.99, so if you're happy with blue,you have a bargain.

Cat Melodeon · 20-01-2011 12:01AM

I got a tummy tub and although it was a bit awkward to get the hang of, it did give me a bit of confidence handling the slippery baby. I didn't use it for very long though, once I was comfortable that I wasn't going to drop him I moved to a standard baby bath as it was easier. I got a sponge mattress-thing to put in the bottom of it which was brilliant for keeping him in position without having to hold him with both hands (like this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Summer-Infant-Comfy-Bath-Sponge/dp/B000H953Y2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1295477804&sr=8-1 ).

I was told by the PHN never to put the bath on an elevated surface, always to place it in the big bath or on the floor - just in case the baby does slip from your hands. My back was frigged though, so I have to admit to breaking the rules a few times. If you are going to be good and only put the bath on the floor, get one of those kneeler pad things that gardeners use. You may not be too mobile in the few weeks after the birth, keep comfy.

And +1 on not bathing baby too often - once a week is more than enough for cleanliness, although some find a nightly bath good for soothing their kids. I found that much bathing just dried out his skin and took up way too much time.

bulmersgal · 20-01-2011 12:36AM

i had this http://media.photobucket.com/image/baby+bath+support+newborn+/leonie1226/baby%2520stuff%2520for%2520sale/SL371480.jpg

and i put it into a baby bath that was with our changing station. I found it was great as you could use both ur hands. I think it was under a tenner in tesco.

Also make sure to ask in hosp how to bathe a baby after you have baby i got shown on 2nd day after i asked and it was great too see.

Also don't bath to often but remember to top and tail every day. Also only saying because i didn't actually no but baby get real dirty under necks and under arms they get sweaty so make sure to wash and dry these areas as my little one got a rash. As i'd no experience of babies and when people said top and tail i thought they meant only face and bum

lynski · 20-01-2011 12:27PM

had a tummytub for my 2 and loved it, used it on the stand for no1 and put no2 in it in the bath with no1. used it until both were about 6 mths so got great use out of it. Would use it again except ds managed to break it ;-( must look into getting another one for new babs.

3DataModem · 20-01-2011 12:32PM

My experience;
- sitting a tummy tub in kitchen sink was great for first 6 months
- big bath is crippling on your back
- usually kitchen sink is perfect on it's own
- two very important things... Temp of water AND temp of room.
- make sure all bits and bobs are to hand

Also... bathing a newborn is pretty much unneccesary. Once a week is more than enough.

bridster007 · 20-01-2011 11:36PM

Our baby is 15 mths and has never had a bath. Just top and tailed regular with a damp sponge or wipe.

January · 21-01-2011 12:10AM

You're serious? How is the skin on the tummy and the legs? I find if I leave it too long between baths the skin cells start building up....

Mrs K · 21-01-2011 12:19AM

I used baby bath on floor in sitting room. I put a folded towel into bath for baby to sit on, it's comfortable and also helps to stop baby slipping! Just once a week. The first month I used no products just water & cotton wool. After a month used johnsons baby sleep range (purple bottle)it smells gorgeous! Wash his face, eyes and ears first with just water, then use johnsons wash, then dry and massage with johnsons sleepy body cream(purple lid on tub)!

bridster007 · 21-01-2011 01:06AM

January wrote: »

You're serious? How is the skin on the tummy and the legs? I find if I leave it too long between baths the skin cells start building up....

Yes, everything fine, skin is lovely. Wouldn't consider putting any products on baby skin.

Dades · 21-01-2011 01:31PM

bridster007 wrote: »

Yes, everything fine, skin is lovely. Wouldn't consider putting any products on baby skin.

Why would you not bath your child?

Apart from anything else, after a few months they love it.

I don't know what to say...

xzanti · 21-01-2011 02:32PM

My Mother bought me a great bath in Mothercare.. it came as a set with the bath, a top & tail kit, a hooded towel and a bath thermometer which I couldn't live without.. It's great, think she paid around €35 for it which wasn't bad..

You'll be shown how to bath your baby in the Hospital.. I was nervous at the thought of bathing my baby when I was pregnant but once they show you how and you get confident it really is a lovely ritual.. I have quite a cranky baby but once bath time comes around he goes totally quiet and content.. it's great for bonding

upinthesky · 22-01-2011 01:09PM

yes i remember having my first and being brought down to another room and showing how to bath the baby and had a go with my lad i found it great wounder if they still do that with first time mother

starlight baby · 24-01-2011 05:42PM

I have a tummytub and absolutely love it, so does baba. I was a bit nervous at first but as long as you keep their chin propped up out of the water it should be ok. One thing to note with it is the water level line, as they get bigger you will need less water or it goes too near their faces.

the idea behind it is that it mimics the womb, with the warm water and something all around them to keep them snug rather than open space. If they get a fright and have the startle reflex, they can feel solid edges and are comforted by it.

Def get a thermometer as its hard to judge the water yourself, especially if your hands are cold. If you can, try have both of you there (assuming there is both of you, apologies if not) for the first few baths until you build confidence.

edited to add.. to the poster who doesn't bathe their baby.. I don't use products on my baby son either and if his skin is dry I use olive oil. I have used a shampoo on a couple of occasions. However I still bathe him in just water, it freshens him up and gets him used to water and also he enjoys it. The child will have a bath at some point, not sure why you would wait..?

Bathing a newborn

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