Bathing your baby
Preparation is key: first prepare the changing space with a clean babygro and vest, a clean nappy and soft, warm towels.
Make sure you gather together everything else you need beforehand, such as the baby bath, non-slip mat, changing mat, facecloth, rinsing jug, towels, shampoo, soaps and creams. Choose a room in the house for the bath where there are no draughts, and ensure that the room is comfortably warm. The bath and changing mat should be close together.
Now you’re ready…
1 Fill the baby bath halfway with water. It should be warm – not lukewarm, but not hot either. Check with your wrist or elbow, and swirl the water around, so there are no hot patches. If you’re unsure, you could use a bath thermometer. Undress your baby, wrap her in a towel, and clean her face gently with damp cotton wool. Wipe the eyes gently from the inside corner to the outside corner. Use a fresh cotton wool ball for each eye.
2 Wash your baby’s hair next. Keep her wrapped in the towel, and hold her head over the bath. Wet her hair. Apply a bit of shampoo, and gently lather. Keep her head tipped slightly downwards so no water runs into her eyes. Rinse her hair using your cupped hand or a small jug. Put her back on the changing mat and dry her hair. 3 Unwrap the towel and wipe her bottom with damp cotton wool.
4 Rub a cream based baby wash product all over your baby’s body. Remember the neck, hands and feet. This will make your baby slippery, but it is easier than lathering her in the bath. You can use a facecloth to get a better grip on her when you lift her into the water.
5 With your forearm supporting her neck and head, hold your baby’s outer arm firmly in one hand. With your free hand, hold her inner upper thigh. Lower her gently into the water, feet first, then the bum, then the rest. Keep her head above the water.
6 When your baby’s lower body is resting on the bottom of the baby bath, you can release the hand that was holding the leg. Use this hand to wash her and to swirl water around her body to rinse. Your other hand should stay in the same hold, behind her neck. Let her enjoy her time in the water. Talk to her or make cooing sounds to reassure her. Bathtime can be a wonderful time for bonding too.
7 Once your baby is rinsed, she should be a little less slippery. Use the same hold to lift her out: one hand behind the neck holding the far arm, and the other hand holding the opposite thigh. It can be easier to lift your baby onto your lap first before you move her to the changing mat.
A clever tip is to tuck a towel into your belt before you start with the bath. Pat her skin dry, don’t rub. Remember the folds of skin under her arms, at the top of the legs and around her neck. Once she is dry, you could massage her before you dress her for bed. A massage can help her relax and fall asleep.