The timing of babies' first bath has changed in the last few years. The World Health Organization has reported that 24 hours should pass after birth to take the first bath.
A bath taken in the early period after birth can cause the baby to feel cold, decrease the body temperature, and It may cause a decrease in blood sugar due to stress. It may delay the baby's early skin-to-skin contact with the mother and early breastfeeding. In addition, babies' skin is covered with a cheese-like substance called vernix caseosa. This substance both moisturizes the baby's skin and has anti-bacterial properties. Bathing taken at an early period removes this beneficial substance.
However, babies of mothers with HIV, hepatitis virus, SARS-CoV-2 virus infections can be bathed at an early period to reduce the risk of transmission to family members and healthcare professionals.
The first bath of newborn babies should be done by wiping their bodies with a wet cloth or sponge, which we call a sponge bath, until the cord falls off, in order to prevent the umbilical cord from getting wet. Wetting the umbilical cord may cause it to fall late and cause infection.
Tub for newborns. Bathing, which is done by immersing in water or pouring water, is done only after the belly falls and heals. Also, if your baby does not like the bathtub bath or is anxious, you can continue the sponge bath for a few more weeks and then try the bathtub bath again.
For babies three times a week. Taking a bath is enough, otherwise sensitive skin may become very dry.
Before bathing your baby, you must prepare all the necessary materials. The temperature of the environment where you bathe your baby should be 22-25 degrees so that your baby does not get cold. The temperature of the bath water is also important when bathing babies. The ideal temperature of water for babies should be 37 degrees. You can measure this with a thermometer or by putting your elbow in the water.
Also, when bathing your baby, you must first wash his body and then wash his head area. Because heat loss from the head area occurs faster. Feeding the baby too much before the bath may cause him to vomit during the bath, but being too hungry may also cause him to become restless during the bath. best Ideally, it should be 1 hour after feeding. The baby's bath time should coincide with a peaceful moment so that he can enjoy the bath. Of course, it can be done before he goes to sleep in the evening so that he can sleep more comfortably. A bath, a short massage and feeding will help him have a better night's sleep.
It is ideal for bath time to be 5-10 minutes, but it can be extended to 15 minutes if he/she enjoys it as he grows. To prevent your baby's skin from drying out after the bath, it is beneficial to moisturize the baby's skin with a suitable moisturizer.
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