How to Bath a Newborn Baby or Infant (Video Tutorial) The Nigerian Way

For first time mothers, bathing a newborn for the first time can be a little frightening. In this article, we will give you guides on how to bathe a baby the right way. To get started with giving your baby a safe bath, there are things you should know. like how to prepare your infant for the bath, wash and make him or her comfortable after you are done. Read on and watch The Below Video Tutorial  to Show You How to Bath Newborn.

Video 1: Modern Method of Baby Bathing

  

Video 2: Nigerian Traditional Newborn Baby Bathing Method

  

Items Needed to Bathe a Newborn Baby or Infant

• Position the tub with a cup water in it, 
• A plastic cup or scoop
• Mild unscented baby soap or body wash, 
• One or two washcloths, 
• Cotton wool balls for cleaning the baby's eyes and navel  (if required)
• 2 towels (one to be laid on d bed the other for wiping the baby with after bath, 
• Spirit (rubbing alcohol) to clean the baby's umbilical if it is still attached or required
• Baby lotion or 
• Baby oil for the hair
• A disposable diaper/ cloth diaper
• Diaper cream (if necessary)
• A comb or brush
• A fresh set of clothes 
• And a blanket to wrap the baby with after bath

Photo Credit: Nairaland.com

Things to Do Right After Bathing Your Newborn Baby

• Towel the baby dry. Dry the baby's body first, making sure to dry gently, place baby in a towel, being careful to cover his or her head, up to the ears and towel-dry the hair as much as possible. Use the other part of the  towel (it may be damp) and use the bottom side to pat in the skin folds, so that no excess moisture is left there. 
• Apply some Lotion on your baby but if your baby has dry skin, massage a lotion into his skin (warm it first between your palms).
• Dab a little ointment on the baby's diaper rash or circumcision wound if baby is a boy- follow doctor’s prescription.
• If the baby still has his or her umbilical cord, use a cotton ball to lightly dab the area with spirit/rubbing alcohol.
• Use a fresh diaper on your baby
• Clothe the baby with clean cloth-preferably and easy to wear outfit
• Wrap your baby with a blanket or flannel depending on the weather.

Newborn Baby Bathing Safety Tips

• Do not use a cotton swab to clean inside your baby’s ears.
• Never leave your baby alone in the bath, not even for a second.
• Be careful with the products you choose to use on the baby. Although there are a lot of "Baby Bath" and "Baby Shampoos" commercially available, these can still be very harsh on delicate baby skin and even cause rashes. Use soothing, soft and harsh chemical-free products only. If the product is one you do not understand, then do not use it on the baby.
• Never use adult bar soap or scented soap on a newborn baby; it is too drying.

NOTE: The best time to bathe a baby

When your baby is awake and make sure the temperature of the room is warm and comfortable enough for your baby. Also, a bath before bedtime helps the baby to sleep with ease.

Video 3: Modern Method of Baby Bathing

  

12 Steps to Bathing a Baby the Right Way

Step #1: Prepare Yourself

Put on something you don't mind getting wet with. Avoid wearing clothes with zippers or pins or anything that could cut the baby's skin, like jewelry’s,(watches, rings, and bracelets).

STEP #2: Find a Flat Surface 

A stand for the baby bath tub, a table in your room, Kitchen sink or on your bathroom floor.

STEP #3: Get The Baby Bath Tub Ready 

Get a baby bathing set (tub) that is safe and easy to use, place it tub in a clean sink, bathtub, or on the bathroom floor. Most baby tubs in the market comes in different shapes so as to support the infant's neck and head and some of them come with a mat to avoid accidentally lowering the baby in water. If your baby bathtub doesn't have a tramp on the bottom to keep the baby from slipping, line it with a towel.

STEP #4: Fill The Tub With a few Inches of Warm Water

Fill a bowl or sink with warm water and check it with your wrist or elbow and mix it well to ensure that the water is comfortably warm before placing baby in the tub.

Do not fill the tub with much water, as your baby gets a little bigger, you can add a bit more water, but never enough to come close to submerging the baby.

STEP #5: Undress The Baby

To begin with, Lay your baby down on  the top of a  clean towel or on a changing mat and Undress him/her apart from the nappy and wrap the baby  in a thick towel, be ready to dry her quickly afterwards. 

STEP #6: Clean the Baby's Eyes

Dip the cotton wool in water (make sure it doesn't get too wet) and wipe gently around your baby's eyes, using a fresh piece of cotton wool for each eye to avoid transferring infection from one eye to another.

STEP #7: Support The Baby

Gently lay your baby in the tub feet first. Keep one hand supporting the baby's back, neck and head as you carefully lower him or her into the tub. Babies can be slippery. When they are wet, so continue supporting the baby throughout the bath with one hand, and use the other hand to wash him or her.

STEP #8: Starting With The Face 

Use a scoop of water to wet the baby, focus on the face, dip a corner of your baby washcloth in the warm water, and gently wipe one eye from the inner corner outward, using a different corner of the cloth, clean the other eye. Wet the washcloth entirely and wash your baby’s face, his mouth especially his under his neck where milk spills and moisture tend to collect and behind the baby’s ears.

STEP #9: Bathing A Baby With Umbilical Cord:If the baby’s umbilical cord is still hanging, simply fill a bowl with water so you can administer a sponge bath instead and wash his body. Dip the clean washcloth in warm water and wash your little one’s neck, You usually don’t need soap when cleaning most parts of your newborn — they don’t get dirty that easy. Be careful around the umbilical cord; gently clean around it. Related: Umbilical cord care.

STEP #10: Pour Scoops of Bath Water Over The Baby’s body

During baby bath you should pour water on the baby often, so he/she doesn't get cold. Clean under his arms and between his fingers, the top half of his tiny body, then use a little soap on the wash cloth to wash his legs and toes. Don't forget to get between all the little folds.

• a. If Bathing a Baby Boy: Clean the baby's genitals last, hold your baby’s legs outward, If your baby boy is uncircumcised no need to pull back his foreskin; extend the arms and legs to wash the groin and simply wipe his penis clean using a dab of baby soap if you wish. If you have a baby boy who is circumcised, gently wipe him with the wet washcloth and then follow whatever directions your doctor has given you. 

• b. If Bathing a Baby Girl: If you have a girl: Spread the labia and use a moistened cotton ball, gently wipe between the labia and Wash the folds of her vagina front to back to prevent infection (Be sure to use a little soap for this part of the baby). You may notice that secretions and diaper creams collect and cover between the vulva and the outer labia. 

STEP #11: Wash The Hair With Shampoo or Soap

If it is necessary to wash the baby's hair, lean him or her backward and gently massage water into the hair and scalp. Use the scoop to gently pour water over the baby's head. Babies are born with all natural oils to keep the scalp health; if you must use baby shampoo, use your hand to create a "visor" to protect the baby's eyes from the soap.

STEP #12: Rinse The Baby

Before rinsing, check again to make sure that the temperature of the water is not too hot or cold.

STEP #13: Lift The Baby From The Tub 

While supporting the baby's head, neck, and back with one arm, and hold his or her bottom and thigh with the other and lift the baby from the tub.

Conclusion: Bathing a Baby the Right Way 

That is all from us on how to bath a baby, hope you find this tips helpful. If you did, please Facebook and tweet it to your friends. Before you go, leave us a comment or questions.

Thanks for reading.