Bathing a Newborn

Is anyone else afraid of bathing their newborn?? I'm so afraid...i don't even know what the basics are.

BTDT moms how did you overcome the fear? Also how do you bathe a newborn? Do they go over it with you in the hospital? How often do you bathe them??

All these questions!! i feel like I need a baby manual.

Message edited 3/30/2010 4:36:15 PM.

Re: Bathing a Newborn

I'm nervous about this too.

I wish there was a baby manual too. I'm nervous about everything!

Re: Bathing a Newborn

I used a tub that had a kind of little hammock for DD. I would lay her in that in the kitchen sink. Always turned the heat up before hand. And I used a wash cloth to do the cleaning and rinsing. I would clean her front first. Rinse. Then I would drape her over my arm to get her back side and back. And sit her back down to lightly wash and rinse her hair. I would wipe her face with the damp wash cloth before I started.

It's scary at first. But it's not that hard once you get the hang of it. I'm still more nervous handling other peoples babies than I was my own.

I bathed her every other day, unless there was a HUGE poop explosion.

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I made my MIL do it with me the first time. She showed me how to
* hold the baby (1. lay them in the tub and wash the front then 2. place them faced outward over the crook of your arm to wash the back and little bity hiney! then 3. place them back down and do their hair.)
* put a warm wet washcloth over the baby's chest and legs and uncover one part at a time
* To start from the feet and work your way up so they aren't sitting with a wet cold head
* Use three wash clothes --- one for on the baby, one for the soapy water and one for clean water (I cleaned the baby on my counter next to the sink)
* Have the 3 towels set up. Lay out a thick bath towel on the counter, then lay the hoody towel down on top of that open and ready for baby. Wrap the baby up and then then use another towel (a small one is OK, even a dry washcloth) for drying the exposed parts (face/feet/arms and work your way in).

* Make sure you have an insert for your baby bath -- either the mesh sling or those sponge type things. It is a HUGE help in keeping the baby from slipping.

Message edited 3/30/2010 4:51:10 PM.

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The dr. told us to do a spongebath until the cord falls off. That buys us a little more time

Re: Bathing a Newborn

I've helped bathe a few babies before, so I know the basics.

Also, when we went on our hospital tour (at NSUH), they told us there is a class everyday on how to bathe the newborns. I'm SURE if your hospital doesn't have a class- they will show you is ask.

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My hospital has classes on all that stuff that you can attend while you are there. Don't be scared- you'll be able to do it!

Re: Bathing a Newborn

If your nervous rent the dvd laugh & learn infant care from your library. It goes over all the basics. My DH was so nervous about these things, and after watching the dvd he felt better. HTH!

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dont be nervous! i know easier said then done.. you can ask your post partum nurse to show you how to give the baby a bath they are so helpful use the nurses for any and all questions thats what they are there for.. they will assume you know how to do it all and are comfortable with it... so if your Not make sure you speak up!

and also when abby was frist home till the cord came off you can fold up a big towel put it on the counter next to the sink lay the baby on the towel and sponge them clean

Re: Bathing a Newborn

Thanks for this post! I feel the same way about bath time...

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A word of advice for those of you having baby boys... put a washcloth over their penis. Othersie they will for sure pee in their own faces at some point. BTDT

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I feel like in the beginning you mostly do sponge type baths unless there is a huge poopy explosion. It was definitely a team effort with DH and I.

I had this from Summer that I found to be great - we used it in the sink.

Re: Bathing a Newborn

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The hospital usually has classes. It is scary in the beginning but like everything else you get used to it. Don't worry

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There are a ton of videos on Youtube, on how to bath newborn babies. Check it out!

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I asked my nurse at the hospital to show me how to do it before DS was released. They gave him his first bath.

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babycenter.com also has videos

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Thanks for all the advice, suggestions....it's good to know that I'm not alone in wondering how to do this .

I know when the time comes i'll be terrified...but I'll live

Re: Bathing a Newborn

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I totally felt like that with DD when we brought her home. New parenting is scary..DH and I took a "baby care" course through Winthrop, it was great and helped us so much. I also rented a few videos from the library on birth, lamaz and care..helped a lot. I had a C-sect in the end so good thing I didnt spend money on lamaz. After the first time with everything you will feel like champ and confident. Enjoy it and good luck!

Re: Bathing a Newborn