Daddy bath time
Bath time is a very great time for you and your baby
to get to know each other and have lots and lots of fun too
So why is this important
The study by Dr Howard Steele, a psychologist at
University College, London, found that babies who were not given regular care by their fathers often experience
significant and long-term relationship problems in later life. Dr Steele found
that children who as babies did not spend quality time with their fathers – particularly those not regularly
bathed by dad, experienced friendship and relationship difficulties three times
above the national average.
Everyone is afraid they’ll break the tiny new baby in
the beginning, and of cause they don’t. Dads
who taking on bath time, for example, they’re more likely to know the baby’s
not going to break — and it becomes natural for them to spend that time
together.Plus, when fathers are involved from the beginning in
the basic care work of feeding, bathing and changing their babies, they tend to
have more confidence and are able to stay more involved going forward
So how to do it
Set up and the things you’ll need
When it comes to newborn
bath time, the more hands, the better — in other words, make the first few
baths a team effort. Set up beforehand, and do it when you’re feeling calm.
(Breathe. In…out…in. Good.) Commit to letting voicemail pick up any calls — for
this project, all your attention should be on baby. Here’s what you need for a
successful bath time:Washing station
Whether you bathe baby in a sink lined with a soft surface or a plastic tub with a sling placed in the real bath, your setup should be steady and there shouldn't be anything hard or sharp for baby to accidentally knock against. Position baby’s head away from the faucet (and use a soft faucet cover, if you have one).
Warm room
Keep the temperature raised so it’s not a shock to baby’s system when she comes out of the bath. Babies have a hard time regulating their core temperature, so they shouldn’t be chilled for too long.
Water
Fill the tub about three inches with water a little bit warmer than lukewarm. Submerge your entire hand and wrist to check the temperature. The water shouldn’t be running while baby is in the tub, because the depth could quickly become dangerous, or the water temperature could change and become too hot. (Tip: Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees to avoid accidental scalding.)
Plastic pitcher or cup
Use this to pour water over baby and rinse her off. (This is safer and less scary for babies than the gush of water coming from a faucet.) Or squeeze a washcloth soaked in water over baby’s head to rinse.
Soap
Though some moms prefer to use only water on their newborns, the sweat and dead skin that accumulate on baby can produce an odor that makes soap pretty welcome. Go easy on the amount, though, because too much can dry out baby’s skin. Look for a mild, tear-free cleanser that can be used for both baby’s body and hair. (Even tear-free soap should be kept away from baby’s eyes and face, though.) Some parents prefer all-natural baby wash, so that's good too. Bottles that open with one hand or use a lockable pumping mechanism are best, because they allow you to keep that one necessary hand on baby at all times. If baby has a hard time with the washcloth, just put soap on your hands and clean him that way.
Washcloths
Designate a certain color or pattern used specifically for bath time — you wouldn’t want to confuse them with your diaper cloths!
Any special treatments
Diaper cream, cradle cap treatment, or any other remedies your doctor has recommended should be within reach.
Timing
Pay attention to baby’s mood after bath time, and use it to your advantage. If he’s energetic and ready to play, bathe during the day. If he seems more mellow, make it a pre-bedtime activity.
Bath-side setup:
Towels
Keep a few towels on hand — one to carefully dry out all the little folds, and then another one fresh out of the dryer (but not too hot) to wrap baby up in. (Roll it up to keep in the warmth.) Hooded towels are also a good buy.
Clean diaper
Along with any other diapering supplies you need
Clean clothes
Blanket
Lotion
Some babies love lotion massages after bath time. Remember, though — flaking skin isn’t necessarily dry. Babies accumulate dead skin that needs to come off.
Hairbrush or comb
(For those babies blessed with tresses.)
Some things you can do to make baths time fun
Be prepared
Before you have a newborn this may sound bonkers, but once you have that
tiny baby in your arms, you realise that bathing a baby is not the easiest of
tasks! It’s best to have everything ready before you start, as once baby is in
the water you won’t have a spare hand and you’ll need to concentrate on
supporting them. Of course, being unable to leave them unattended even for a
moment means if you forget anything you’ll need to carry a dripping baby around
to get it - which both they and you will not particularly enjoy! So be prepared
and you’ll find things run a lot more smoothly.
Protect your knees
Leaning into the bath is not great for your back (which is why some people
use the sink for younger babies), but don’t let your knees suffer as well. We
all know that if we are uncomfortable then we can feel distracted and prevented
from enjoying what could be a wonderful experience. Often bathroom floors are
very hard, so to avoid your knees cracking up beneath you, have a spare towel
or blanket to kneel on and keep them comfortable!
Temperature check
The perfect temperature for your baby’s bath will be between 36 and 38
degrees, you can buy special bath thermometers if you’re worried or you can use
the old school trick of dipping your elbow in the water. Your elbow is such a
sensitive area of skin that it gives you a much better idea how a baby’s skin
will feel in the bath. Whether you decide to get a thermometer or use the
reliable old method, always check the temperature before putting them in. Do
bear in mind that bath water cools very quickly, so you may need to top it up
with warm water if it’s a particularly long one!
Chit chat
Always talk to your baby when they are in the water and tell them what you
are doing. Talking helps them develop language, keeps them calm and happy and
lets them feel reassured. If you want to make the best of the acoustics in the
bathroom, a good sing song is great too!
To bubble or not to bubble
Wash your newborn baby with water and a few drops of baby oil for the first
few weeks, paying close attention to the area where the nappy goes, which can
be prone to soreness. Once they are older, it can be great fun to add the
bubble bath and help your baby develop their thinking skills when they see an
object that looks solid pop in front of their very eyes.
Toys galore
Having a rubber duck in the bath as your baby grows is great, especially
something like a good-looking Cuddle duck! A rubber
duck is the perfect first toy to bob about around your baby, as they get older
pop in more toys for interaction and fun.
Bath time is not just for washing
As your baby gets older, introduce learning tools to bath time. So much
learning can be done using fun! Bring in science with a selection of objects to
see whether they sink or swim, mats by giving them bottles and funnels in
different sizes so that when they pour from one to another they see how some
over flow and others don’t fill, and language skills through rhyme time or foam
letters.
Daily bathing
A newborn baby does not need a bath every day, a top and tail wash is
enough, but if your baby enjoys bath time and you find that it is strengthening
the bond between you, then there is no harm in a daily bath. Once your baby is
crawling, it is a good idea to make it a daily activity. It can really help in
settling a child before bed, getting them off to sleep more easily, and it’s
good to make it a habit so that much later when puberty hits, knowing they need
to wash daily isn’t a shock! Make it a relaxing way to end the day.
Two is fun, three is even more fun
If you have other children, get them in the bath too, get them involved
with washing and playing so that it becomes a family time. Fun and games are
even better with more of you, and for dads worried about the pennies, it saves
a little to have them in together.
Cuddle, cuddle and cuddle a bit more
Bath time is the perfect time for lots of hugs, so use a good bathing apron
to make the after-cuddles dry, snuggly and safe rather than wet, slippery and
stressful. Something like a baby
apron bath towel is perfect as your baby can sit on your lap on the
towel before their bath, you stay dry during bath time and then you can lift
them out with two hands, wrap the warm towel around them and pop the hood on
for an amazing cuddle time.
Step by Step
Essential steps include:
- Undress him, dip his feet in the water, and then lay him in the sponge insert. Hold his head up with one hand while you wash with the other. The water should be deep enough to keep him warm, but not so deep that he will start floating and become difficult to hold onto.
- Using a soft washcloth and a small amount of baby soap, bathe him from the feet up.
- Dip the washcloth in the warm water repeatedly and let it flow over him to keep him warm.
- Be careful to not get soap in his eyes; wipe them from the inside out after you squeeze excess soapy water out of the washcloth.
- Do his scalp last, and using the cup, make sure the water flows off the back of his head and does not get in his eyes.
- Rinse him off with cups of warm water, then carefully lift your slippery baby out of the tub, bundle him in a towel to dry, and diaper and dress him. Enjoy the moment and then show mom her happy, clean, sweet smelling baby.
With a little preparation and a lot of enthusiasm, bathing your little one
can be such a special time, so get splashing!
