Baby’s First Bath

            Having had two children of my own, as I watch new mother prepare to bath their newborn, brings a floodgate of memories to mind. I remember not having anyone to guide me, and so with my baby in the sink, a washcloth at hand and a towel; I realized that I did not have the baby soap, or his shampoo. I could have panicked but really what was I to do. I rinsed his little body, starting with his face, I rinsed it very gently, and I wipe his body from head to toe and watched him carefully. Using his towel I swaddle him and off to his changing table to where I patted him dry, uncovered him slowly so not to catch a chill.  He is now in his late teens, and because I did not use soap on his very first bath, it really did not matter, it is the love and gentleness that is given to a baby that make the baby grow up to be the individual he shall become.

            For all the new moms don’t worry about such nonsense but from my own experience let me give you some pointers, for you and your baby’s first bath. First time mom’s you need to get and keep all baby bathing items together.  Make sure the bathing area is clear of items that you do not need, especially if you’re bathing out of the sink.

Get the washcloths, 2 towels, a small cup, soap and shampoo, is basically all you need. For the mother, put on a shirt that you don’t mind getting wet or peed on. You don’t want to fill the sink and then undress the baby, because by the time you get back, the water will have chilled, so undress the baby, wrap him in towel number 1, go over to the sink and slowly fill it up. Use your wrist to check the temperature, since this is a very sensitive part of your own body, once the sink is filled, unwrap your baby, and cradle him in your arms as you lower him into the water.

Using a washcloth, wash his face, rinse the cloth and use a bit of baby soap to wash his little body. Start with under his neck and work your way down, don’t forget under his arms, between his little fingers and little toes, sweat and milk seem to find its way into his little folds of skin. Wash his hair last since this may upset him, wet his scalp, apply a drop or two of baby shampoo and latter up his hair. Be sure to be gentle, since the soft spot on top is still in the process of coming together. When you are ready to rinse, lay his head backwards fill up the little cup, and slowly pour it over his scalp, you may have to do this a second or third time. This is why I suggest using only a little bit of shampoo, since you don’t want to turn the first bath in to a nightmare. Once you have removed all the shampoo, grab the second towel and swaddle him close to you; he will appreciate that especially if rinsing his hair upset him. Take him to his changing area, try to make sure there are no drafts, as you slowly dry him and place him in his pajamas, then as you are making sure his hair is dry, stop and realize what a great job you have done.

If you should ever forget an item; so what, don’t let it upset you, you have enough to worry about with your newborn baby.

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