Important preparations for the baby bath

timing and atmosphere

A blanket statement about the ideal time for a baby bath cannot be made, since bathing affects every baby differently. Some children are perked up by it, while others are literally put to sleep by the warm water. In general, however, it can be said that your baby should be in a positive mood at the time of bathing. If he is awake and content, he can certainly engage in the beautiful experience and not be distracted by hunger or tiredness. However, it is not advisable to take a baby bath immediately after eating, as this could cause your baby to vomit during the bath. If your child is ill, for example has a fever, it is better to temporarily avoid bathing altogether and wash them with a wet washcloth instead.You can find out exactly how to wash your baby properly in another article.

But not only the right time, but also a calm atmosphere is an important point. Because the baby bath is not only used for cleaning, but also for relaxing your baby. If your child particularly enjoys the bath, you can introduce it as a kind of end-of-day ritual if it doesn’t stress the baby’s skin too much. Also make sure that you have enough time to spend with your child. Therefore, choose a time when you expect the fewest disturbances. Dim the lights and maybe put out a few candles to add warmth to the feeling of security. In addition, you should speak calmly and maintain eye contact with your child throughout the bathing process to help them feel safe. Maybe you would like to climb into the large bathtub with your baby. Then get help getting in and out so that nothing happens to your little one.

Get everything ready

The right preparation is very important for a relaxed bathing experience with your child. Everything you need before, during or after the baby bath should therefore be ready before you pick up your baby. In addition to a fresh diaper and clean clothes, this also includes a baby brush and, if necessary, baby cream. Also, have two towels ready to dry your baby after bathing. You can warm one of them on the radiator to make your baby comfortable on the changing table. The other is used to catch most of the wet when lifted out of the tub. Also, remember to keep a washcloth and bath thermometer near the baby bath.

Safe tub

If you use a baby bath for the baby bath, you should make sure when setting it up that it does not tip over. When your baby later lies in it and fidgets, it must not slip or lose stability. Many tubs have a matching frame in which they can be securely anchored. If your tub isn’t, it’s best to place it on a sturdy table. Also make sure that the tub is placed high enough so that bathing is not painful for your back.
A second important point when preparing the baby bath is the water level. Your baby does not have to be completely covered with water when bathing. As a rule, a water depth of five to ten centimeters is sufficient to wash your child. Some baby baths also have special markings that show you the maximum level to which they should be filled.

Of course, you can also bathe your child in the sink, the large bathtub or a so-called bath bucket. The latter has the advantage that your baby sits upright in it and cannot slip away. It can also support itself against the walls with its own body, which gives many children security, as the narrowness reminds them of the security in the womb. But be careful: Never use a normal household bucket for the baby bath, as it is not ergonomically shaped and your baby could injure itself on sharp edges.

However, the top rule is always that you never leave your child alone in the tub. Babies and infants can also drown in very shallow water. Therefore, never leave the room when you are bathing your baby, not even to pick up the phone from the hallway. If you do have to leave the bathroom, be sure to take your child with you so that no accident happens!

The right temperature

It’s important to make sure your baby doesn’t get cold while bathing. Babies’ heat regulation via their skin is not yet fully developed, which is why their body temperature drops quickly as soon as the air around them cools down and they are not wearing warm clothes, such as when bathing. Therefore, preheat the bathroom well, a temperature of 22°C to 25°C is optimal. Also avoid drafts by keeping the windows and doors in the bathroom and the surrounding rooms closed.

In addition, the water temperature plays a major role when bathing, because the bathing water should be neither too hot nor too cold. A temperature between 35°C and 37°C is therefore ideal. In this way you can avoid scalding and ensure that your little one does not freeze while bathing. Check the temperature with both a bath thermometer and your hand. Use the inside of your wrist or your elbow for this, because your skin is about as thin and sensitive there as your child’s.

With a longer baby bath, you should check the water and body temperature from time to time. To prevent your baby from starting to freeze, you can repeatedly pour warm water over the parts of the body that are exposed to the air or place a warm washcloth on his stomach.

bath additives

You don’t actually need to use bath additives for newborns and very young babies, since they usually don’t come into contact with dirt as long as they can’t move around on their own. Warm water is therefore sufficient at the beginning to wash your baby. If you do want to use a bath additive, you should definitely make sure that it is suitable for very sensitive baby skin, i.e. soap-free. It should also not foam, as foam cools down quickly and your baby freezes faster. As a natural alternative, you can add some breast milk to the bath water to protect your baby’s skin from drying out.

If you keep these simple points in mind, bathing can become a great experience for you and your baby, where your child builds his trust in you and you can build a very strong bond with him.