How to get Pregnant » Skin Care And Bath For Baby
Skin Care and Bath for Baby
When it comes to skin care and bath for baby it is important to make sure that the products being used will not irritate or harm baby's brand new, sensitive skin. Newborns have very delicate skin and it does not take much to cause them discomfort. When choosing soaps, lotions or shampoos, one should read the labels and make sure they are hypo-allergenic and appropriate for infants. Some of the following tips may be useful.
Newborn Baths
A newborn baby should never be submersed into water until their umbilical cord or circumcision site has fully healed. For this reason, sponge baths are recommended in the first few weeks. An infant bath may be used as long as it is not filled with water to a level that would get the above mentioned areas wet. A soft and smooth textured wash cloth or sponge may be used to gently clean that baby.
Frequency of Baths
Many people believe that a baby should be bathed every day but this is not the case. As long as a baby's bottom and face is kept clean after feedings and diaper changes, baths can be given every other day in the beginning. Over bathing can dry the baby's skin and cause chafing and rash. Obviously when the baby begins crawling and has the occasion to get dirty, bathing would need to be done more frequently.
Bedtime Bathing
While it is true that bathing does not have to be done at any particular time of the day, baby's tend to fall asleep better after a nice warm bath. There are certain aromas that are excellent for relaxation such as lavender. A nice lavender scented baby shampoo or soap will help to sooth the infant and make the experience pleasant for mom as well.
After Bath Products
Now that baby is nice and clean, it is time to moisturize. There are many different products available to apply to a baby's skin after a bath. Whether a baby oil or lotion is used, it is important not to forget the baby's head. Baby's can develop dry, parched skin and cradle cap (dry scalp) rather quickly if their skin is not kept moisturized. Babies spend the entire span of their development in fluid so it stands to reason that their skin is not accustomed to being dry. It takes several months for a baby to develop skin that will not need special products to keep it from drying out.
Always remember to check the temperature of the water and make sure it is not too hot. Babies are much more sensitive to hot water than we are so the water should be a bit cooler. Never leave a baby unattended in the bath tub for any reason; even if it is just for 10 seconds, it is too long. While bath time can be a great experience for mom and baby, safety must always come first so make sure that all precautions are taken to guard against accidents.