Things You'll Need:
- Baby bathtub
- Tear free shampoo
- Baby washcloths
- Hooded towel
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Step 1
Get your baby bathtub ready by first ensuring that it is clean and ready for warm water to be added. When adding the water, be sure that it is not too hot. Baby's skin is sensitive so what may seem just really warm to us may be very hot to them. Water should be just slightly warmer than room temperature. There are many gadgets you can purchase that will tell you when the water is too hot. Checking the temperature on the underside of your arm just above the wrist or at the elbow is a good way to make sure the water is a good temperature. Fill the tub with only an inch or two of water. ***Never leave your baby unattended even for a second!
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Step 2
Before putting baby in the water, check to be sure you have everything you need to complete the bath. Slowly place baby in the tub, gently putting in toes and feet then lowering the rest into the water. This allows the baby to get used to the temperature slowly.
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Step 3
Take the tear free shampoo and squeeze an amount the size of a quarter into the washcloth. Massage the shampoo into the washcloth and place an index finger under the cloth so that the finger is covered by the cloth. Making small circular motions, begin by gently working the cloth over the forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, and neck. From there work down the shoulders, chest, stomach, back, arms, and hands. Next work on the legs and feet, and lastly the diaper area. This way the germs from the diaper area will not be spread to the rest of the body. Add more shampoo anytime you think you may need more.
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Step 4
Thoroughly rinse the washcloth under the faucet to remove all the suds. Dip the washcloth in the bath water and use the washcloth to rinse the face, upper body, lower body, then diaper area. Be sure to rinse baby's body well as unrinsed wash could irritate baby's sensitive skin. Thoroughly rinse the washcloth under the faucet once again.
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Step 5
Take the wet washcloth and bring water to the baby's hair/scalp by pulling the washcloth over the top of the head. Be careful not to drip water on the face or have water run down onto the face. Once the hair is wet, squeeze a dime sized amount of shampoo into your hands and gently massage baby's scalp until it has a good lather. When finished bring the water with the washcloth to baby's hair and rinse repeatedly until all the soap has washed off.
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Step 6
When baby is rinsed, take the hooded towel and lift baby to his or her feet. Place the hood of the towel on top of baby's head and wrap baby in the rest of the towel. Carry baby to changing area for diapering and clothing. If you can get help with the toweling and lifting it will make this step all the safer as wet babies are slippery! Drain water and clean the tub AFTER baby is out of the tub as the sound often scares babies.
