Giving Your Infant a Bath
September 28, 2007 – 9:10 amLike grown-ups, infants need regular baths. Until the navel heals, that is usually some two weeks after birth, it is advisable to sponge bath the baby. Thereafter, you should bath the baby regularly, twice a week, until he/she starts crawling. On days when the baby is to go without a bath, spot cleanups are needed after feeding the infant and during changing his/her diapers. With further growth, you may choose to bathe the baby daily. However, you should make sure that the baby’s skin is not too dry.
It is recommended to choose a good bathing time, usually in the afternoon when the baby takes a good nap and is ready to freshen up. Don’t try to give the child a bath if:
• The baby is hungry.
• He/she is tired.
• He/she has just enjoyed a meal.
Using Shampoo
You can use any nice baby shampoo available in the market. Shampoo the baby’s scalp twice a week. Rinse well and take care not to let the water splash onto the child’s face.
Cradle Cap
Cradle cap is the condition in which the baby’s scalp shows oily, yellowish patches. If you observe such a condition on your infant’s scalp, massage a little mineral oil onto it before you shampoo the scalp. Also, keep your infant’s head uncovered most of the time because cradle cap is made worse by sweating. If the condition persists or becomes worse, consult a pediatrician.
Tags: child bath, help bath infant, infant bath
