How to Survive Baby's 1st Bathtub Bath

You survived the first sponge bath but that tub looks scary. Giving baby that first bath in the little tub seem much more fraught with danger--slipping, drowning, ingesting bubbles...oh my! Not to worry, though mom--or dad. The key to a good bath time experience for you and baby lies in having all your ducks in a row before you put the first toe--baby's toe, that is--in the water. Seriously, though, knowing ahead of time what you have to do and how to do it will make it a snap for you and your baby.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A bathtub made for baby (or a sink lined with a soft towel, a large pan or wash tub)
• Washcloth, Towel
• Baby shampoo, soap, lotion
• Clean diaper, clean clothes

Water and Bubbles and Lotions, Oh My!

1. Put all your bath stuff laid out beside the bathtub. Put your clean diaper, clothes, and drying towels nearby but not where they may get wet.

2. Fill the tub with no more than 2" of water. Make sure the temperature is 90-100 degrees - test it with your forearm or elbow to make sure it is warm but not hot.

3. Put the baby into the tub very gently and talk quietly and reassuringly. This helps baby to stay relaxed and it may do the same for you. Put your hand behind the baby's neck so that your wrist supports the head and your palm and fingers support the back and shoulders. This leaves your other hand for washing the baby.

4. Soap the baby's back and arms gently with the washcloth, using soft, light movements. Talk softly and gently wash baby's chest and tummy and legs the same way. Rinse the baby gently.

5. Wash baby's hair next. (Remember: your baby doesn't need a shampoo with every bath. Once or twice a week is usually enough.) Wash the scalp gently with your fingers and a non-tearing baby shampoo and rinse.

6. Wash the baby's genital area last and rinse. Lift baby gently out of the bathtub and onto a dry towel. Pat or gently rub the baby dry. Make sure the hair is well dried, too. Add baby lotion, baby powder, a dry diaper and clothes and you're done. It wasn't too bad, was it? Next time will be even better.