Tips for a less stressful Baby's Bath

Tips to make Bath-time more Enjoyable!
By Annie Dean Executive Director at DayOne Centers
Many new parents find bathing their babies to be challenging since babies tend to be slippery and awkward. However, as your baby grows, you may be happy to find your baby enjoys bathtime and it is a fun time for the family. Here are some FAQs about bathing young babies.

How often should we bathe our baby? Most pediatricians and health care providers suggest bathing a baby several times a week. If you utilize a bath as a part of your daily bedtime routine, avoid using soap except for 3 times a week to avoid drying out your baby's skin.

With all the concerns about chemicals in products, what is safe for me to use on my baby? Little Twig Shampoo & Body Wash and their Baby Bath is gentle, biodegradable and doesn't contain sodium laurel sulfate or DEA.

My baby is happy in the bath but cries as soon as we take her out- What can I do? Most babies that are happy in the bath but fussy after, are cold. To minimize post-bath fussiness, many parents first steam up the bathroom by running the shower. Another tip is to try having a heated dry towel nearby to keep your baby cozy as you transition them out of the bath too.
My baby is unhappy during the bath, how can I keep him from being so upset? Sometimes babies are unhappy because the parts of them not submerged in the bathtub are cold; place a warm, wet washcloth over the baby's tummy during the bath to help keep him warm. If he is still upset, distraction works wonders! Bubble bath or bubble blowers create a visual and textile experience, that may hold his attention. Squeaky toys, squirters, and other bath toys are great at catching your babies attention too; try toys with black, white and red for 0-3 months, colorful easy to grasp toys for 3-6 months, and more complex toys for babies who are sitting independently. Most importantly, keep your cool. Babies can sense when your stress level rises. Try speaking in soft tones, or even playing a soothing lullaby in the background to set the tone of bath-time being a relaxing endeavor. Before you know it, it will be!
Can I take a shower with my baby? Many parents enjoy bringing their baby into the shower with them. For most, this is a 2 person event- one parent stays outside the shower and hands the naked baby into the shower to the other parent. Once the shower is complete, the parent outside can receive the clean baby and dry him off .


Safety Tips
o Lower your hot water heater to 120 to avoid scalding hot bath water
o Test the water with your wrist or elbow before putting the baby in the bath
o Never leave your baby unattended in a bath
o Assemble all necessary items before beginning the bath