Baby Baths

For new moms, baby baths can be a difficult task. However, with enough practice, you can find this activity both easy and joyful. Bathing a baby, especially an unwilling one, can just be a funny moment for those who have mastered the skill of baby bathing. There are some reminders that you should know before you start bathing a baby.

Newborns have very sensitive skin. There is really no need for you to bathe a newborn baby every day. The truth is, bathing a baby every single day can leave his or her skin dry. The parts that require regular cleaning are the diaper area, the neck and the face. Cleaning the diaper area and ensuring that you regularly change the burp clothes are enough to make a baby clean. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies can be bathed in tubs after the umbilical cord detaches. Before that, sponge baths are recommended if you want to clean your baby. There are really no hard and fast rules when it comes to bathing a baby. The parent is the one who can decide when it is the right time to bathe a baby in a tub.

Baby sponge baths should be done on a warm area. It is important that you place a blanket or towel on a flat surface. Always support your baby using one hand while the other hand reaches out for things. A safety strap will be useful as well. Before starting the sponge bath, collect all supplies that you need, including moisturizing soap, baby shampoo, a fresh diaper, baby wipes and baby clothes. A sponge bath is simple, just lay the baby on his or her back on the towel or blanket and wipe the baby’s face and body with a damp washcloth. Always follow it up with wiping the wet parts of the baby with a dry cloth.

When you feel that it is time for real baby baths, you have the option to purchase a baby bath tub. A good baby bath tub is free-standing, which is specifically created for newborns. You can also choose an inflatable baby bath tubs or plastic basin that will fit inside your bathroom tub. In bathing your baby the optimal amount of water to put in is two to three inches. Warm water should be applied on the baby’s body all throughout the bath time to keep his or her body warm.

To avoid scalding, check your water heater’s thermostat in set it to below 120 F. Before putting the warm water in the tub, check it with your hand just to be sure. Bathe the baby in a warm and comfortable room.

Customer Reviews

Perfect
The First Year's Infant To Toddler Tub with Sling - I wasn't sure when I was looking at tubs, but I'm glad I got this one. I used the sling for the first 2 weeks to sponge bath my 5 pound preemie, and despite his size, I felt that he was very secure, he stayed put. For those a little nervous about bathing a baby at first, (like my hubby) the sling is adjustable, so you can loosen it add a little more water, and use it for a regular bath. The drain plug warns if the water is too hot, which again is good for the nervous new parent. Now 2 months old, I use the infant, slanted seat side, and it works well for us. the padding reduces slipping. I also like the space to hold clean rinse water or bath supplies. The only thing they may want to add is a hook to hang this to dry, which some have. Otherwise, it's perfect and cheap. Some may be attracted to a few tubs that are bigger, but I think the size is perfect. It's roomy enough but not so big that the baby can "escape", or to make the baby feel insecure. It's also easier to store than those monster tubs, too.

Just What You Need
The First Years Sure Comfort Newborn to Toddler Tub - My daughter is only 3 months old but she is really enjoying this tub. I chose this one after much researching since it seemed to be the best for the price range and did not have the "bump in the middle" issue that other tubs seem to have.

She used the hammock when she was a couple of weeks old and it made it very easy to sponge bathe her since, as new parents, we felt very awkward with a little newborn in our hands and this made bathing her a little less scary. As soon as we could we sat her in the newborn side, though, because the sling keeps her whole body out of the water and cold (I suggest placing a washcloth over baby's chest, and to keep it wet with warm water during her bath so she does not get cold. We still do that.). Now she's splashing around like a pro!

It's easy to drain the water out and the built-in "pocket" is handy for keeping the baby soap and shampoo.

This Tub Saved My Back
Puj Tub - The Soft, Foldable Baby Bath Tub, White - First of all, I've never cared enough about a product to take time out of my busy schedule in order to write a review, so this should tell you how much I truly love this product. I absolutely love this tub! I went through three infant tubs - a whale and two meshy type things that went in the sink, and none of those worked for me. It hurt so bad to lean over the tub or in the floor to try to bathe my baby in the whale. In the meantime, it was hard to move him around, get him clean, and rinse him as well because I was having to strain. The whale tub was too tall to put on a counter or an island. When I tried the meshy type things in the sink, these didn't keep him warm at all and he hated them! You couldn't get him clean on those at all. Bath time wasn't fun because I was uncomfortable, he was chilly, and he couldn't play in the water.

I saw an ad on facebook for this tub and I was extremely skeptical because my sink wasn't truly round. It's sort of square at the top and rounded on the bottom. But man, was I pleasantly surprised. I just fold up one of the sides and it conforms well to the sink. My baby absolutely LOVES it! He laughs and plays now in the water. It's really so easy, you just literally throw it in the sink and you can stand up, without hurting your back, and bathe baby. Then, when bathtime is over, you just toss the water out of it, unfold it and hang it up to dry on a hook or lay it flat and wipe it once with a towel. It's seriously the best baby product I have and my husband and I enjoy giving our baby a bath every day! You must purchase this tub - you won't regret it! Especially if your back hurts like mine. This makes bath time so much fun for baby! It's soft, cradles his little body so well, and is so flexible! His first laugh was in the bath. :)