Just because your baby is not playing in the yard does not mean he/she shouldn’t get an occasional bath. Therefore, grab a washcloth or sponge and let us lead you towards a successful baby bath.
Why are we recommending a sponge bath?
If your baby’s umbilical cord has still not fallen off, the experts and we will recommend you to do sponge baths on your newborn. Also, if your boy has had circumcision and it still has not healed, a sponge bath is also recommended in this situation. This does not mean that your baby needs a sponge bath every single day. As a matter of fact, giving your baby a sponge bath every day will dry his/her sensitive skin. It will be enough to bathe your newborn just three times per week until he/she is one year old. Stay with us, and we will help you with this little quest.
Table of Contents
How is the sponge bath different than other types of baths?
When your newborn is not ready for the regular bath, no matter the reason, you can go with the sponge bath option. Leave the bubbles and warm water for some other day. With a sponge bath, your baby will receive an all-over wash and rinse just like he/she would with a regular bath. Here are the two main differences: with a sponge bath, the baby won’t be lying in a tub. Instead, you will use a towel; the second difference is that you will be washing and rinsing one section at a time.
Why and when a baby should get a sponge bath?
Like we said above, sponge baths are recommended until the baby’s umbilical cord stump falls off. Usually, it takes about two weeks for the cord to fall off, but if it happens a bit earlier or later, it is not unusual. We can say the typical period is between the 5th and the 15th day after the baby is born. A sponge bath is also recommended instead of the regular bath if the baby has had some kind of surgical procedure and still has bandages or stitches on his/her body.
Which items you will need?
A sponge bath can be fun and easy if you have prepared all the needed supplies beforehand. Here is what you are going to need: two towels, a large bowl of warm water, two washcloths, cotton balls, gentle baby soap, clean diapers, baby wipes, and clean clothes.
Now that you have all the required supplies, the fun can start. If you are going to use the bathroom to do the sponge bath, it would be wise to let the warm water run for several minutes to warm up the area. Then, follow this guide to clean your baby:
First, you need to undress the baby. Lay the baby on his/her back on one of the towels and cover him/her with the other towel. Take the two cotton balls and dip them in water, then wipe the baby’s eye and the nose area by using a different cotton ball for each eye. Then, use one of the washcloths and dip it into the water and wipe the baby’s ears and face. Don’t forget to clean the creases behind each ear because some of the milk spit-ups might have collected and dried over there. The next step is to squeeze few drops of the baby soap onto the washcloth and use it to wipe the baby’s neck and scalp; after you are done with that, dry off the areas by gently tapping with the towel.
Do the same with the rest of the baby’s body. Rub the arms the lags with a soapy washcloth and never miss the creases like those under the arms and also the diaper area. Also, don’t forget to wash the spaces between the fingers and the toes. After you have cleaned everything, get the second washcloth, dip it in water, and use it to wipe off the soap from the baby’s body. Make sure you do not forget any areas.
It is recommended to keep the umbilical cord are dry and clean. Therefore, if you notice any secretions or dried blood in that area, take the washcloth and wipe it as gently as possible and use the dry washcloth to dry the area again as gently as possible. You can use the towel your baby is lying on to pat him/her dry. In case you notice that your baby has flaky skin, you can apply baby moisturizer. The last step is to put the diaper on and dress your baby in clean clothes.
Keeping the bathing items clean?
Don’t worry about this part because it is super easy. What you need to do is hang up the washcloths and the towels and let them air dry. By now, you probably know that damp towels are one of the best breeding areas for bacteria and other microorganisms. And, if you have used them more than three times, you will need to wash them in the laundry machine.
How often is it recommended to sponge bath a baby?
There no need to perform a sponge bath on your baby every day. Only once or twice per week is just enough. And when the baby is old enough for the tub, you can bathe him/her more often.
When will the baby be ready for a different type of bath?
When the baby’s umbilical cord falls off, the baby can enjoy the baby tub unless there is something other problem that prohibits the baby from this. You can either buy a small plastic tub, which you can place in the main tub or you can use your kitchen kink to wash your little bundle of love.
What do you need to have in mind while giving your baby a sponge bath?
Your baby falling is the number 1 concern. When you have your baby lying on a bed, sofa, or kitchen counter, it means the baby will be on a raised spot. What you need to do is always one hand on your baby, especially when you are reaching for some of the supplies. This way, your baby will be prevented from falling off.
