Bath time doesn’t need to be stressful or worrying. These helpful tips will make sure you know exactly how to handle the tricky bathing situation.
| Baby’s Age |
Method |
Items Required |
|
Newborn
|
- Top-to-toe cleaning.
- Gently clean baby using clean cotton soaked in warm water.
- Clean baby’s facial area, creases and genital area (rub lightly and very gently).
- For eye lids, use separate cotton wool balls, wiping from inner eye to outer eye.
- Gently massage water onto baby’s scalp to clean cradle cap (scaly patches on the scalp).
- Take extra caution when cleaning around umbilical cord area to avoid injury.
|
- A bowl of warm water
- Cotton wool
- Towels
- Clean nappy
|
|
Newborn and Infant
|
- Test water temperature (dip elbow to make sure it is warm).
- Cradle head and shoulder with one hand and support baby’s body with the other. Lower gently into bath.
- Gently clean baby’s facial area, creases and genital area using cotton swab.
- Slowly swish some warm water onto baby and rub them gently.
- Use soap or shampoo sparsely (if need be).
- Slowly and lightly pour clean warm water to clear off soap and shampoo.
- Gently dry baby with towel.
- Take care to dry in skin creases, including armpits, groin, under chin, around neck and behind ears.
- Make sure baby is snug and warm.
OR:
- You can give your baby a sponge bath! (Simple, Safe, Clean and Fast).
|
- Infant tub filled with warm water
- Cotton swabs
- Baby soap-free bath liquids
- Baby lotion /fragrant–free cream
- Towels
- Clean diaper
- Blanket
|
|
Older Baby
|
- Place baby in bathtub, slowly and playfully.
- Talk, sing and stimulate baby’s senses while gently rubbing and cleaning baby.
- Giving baby a bath is also a great way to bond with your baby.
|
- Baby bath tub, kitchen sink, bathroom basin or a clean washing bowl.
|
General things to know when bathing your baby!
- Position the bath somewhere stable
- Get everything ready before you start
- Take off jewellery and wash hands
- Fill bath, always using warm water, testing with elbow or wrist (approximately 36 degrees)
- Always keep your baby snug and warm after each bath to avoid from catching colds.
- Do not bathe your baby for too long. It may not be healthy for your baby.
- Use rubber mats to avoid slipping.
- NEVER leave your baby alone while bathing. Babies can drown quickly and quietly.
- Take extra care when cleaning sensitive areas such as baby’s ears, eyes, nose, creases and genital area.
- Do not scrub. A gentle rub and massage motion will suffice.
- Avoid injuring the umbilical cord.
- Trim baby’s finger nails to avoid baby from scratching and injuring themselves.
- Use soap-free bath liquids and fragrance-free cream to restore baby’s skin moisture and prevent irritation.
- Newborns do not need shampoo for hair cleaning
- Comb baby’s hair with a soft baby brush.
