How to bathe your baby at the maternity ward?
After birth, often within the first 24 hours, baby has their first bath. Depending on the child, this immersion in water can be calm or accompanied by tears. Parents are supported by nursery nurses to help them bathe their baby and learn the essential steps for maximum hygiene during baby’s bath at the maternity ward.
After birth, often within the first 24 hours, baby has their first bath. Depending on the child, this immersion in water can be calm or accompanied by tears. Parents are supported by nursery nurses to help them bathe their baby and learn the essential steps for maximum hygiene during baby’s bath at the maternity ward.
Before starting the bath, parents should wash their hands thoroughly and use a clean, dry towel. The child may have skin imperfections, such as acne or cradle cap, which require washing with a superfatted soap.
The bath
The bath lasts only 5 minutes during the first weeks. As the months go by, the duration increases, as the child tires quickly and may cry in the bath. All the necessary items should be prepared in advance: a changing table, towels, 2-in-1 body and hair wash, a bathtub, a bath thermometer, a diaper, and a change of clothes.
The bath begins outside the water by soaping the child. Start with the hair, arms, stomach, and legs, then lift baby to wash their back and bottom, always from front to back.
The child is then placed in bath water at a temperature of 37°C. It is essential to support the baby’s neck well, holding their arm. Then, take the child out of the bath and gently dry them by wrapping them in a towel, patting in the folds to avoid moisture buildup.
Caring for the umbilical cord
The umbilical cord takes between 7 and 15 days to heal. It is essential to care for it twice a day to prevent infection. Care is done in two steps: disinfecting with a gentle antiseptic and applying a drying product.
Fewer and fewer maternity wards recommend using a compress. The umbilical cord hardens and darkens, eventually falling off on its own. There is no need to speed up its premature detachment, as this could cause the child to bleed. If the umbilical cord oozes, it may be a sign of infection. During healing, it is possible to bathe the baby and dry the area, without rubbing.
Also read:
Baby acne: how to get rid of it?
What are the essentials for baby’s bath?
How to care for your baby’s hair?
