Bathing your newborn, here is the lowdown!
Our brand ambassador, midwife and perinatal mental health specialist, Aliza from @bumpnbub, shares her guidelines on bath time for your little one.
Bath time can initially be rather overwhelming for parents, but once you are aware of your little routine and feel comfortable, baby will soon start loving this special bonding time – and the best part is both mum and dad can take part in this activity.
Delay first bath
Did you know that delaying bub’s first bath is actually very important, according to research. Some of the reasons why you should delay include: temperature regulation, as once baby is out of the warm snuggly womb, he/she gets cold very easily. Vernix (the soft white substance covering baby’s skin when they are born), protects and nourishes the skin, so you would ideally like to keep it on for a little while after the baby is born. And delaying the first bath also means uninterrupted skin to skin, which is important for breastfeeding, keeping baby warm and colonizing baby with your bacteria and allows bonding.
Bath time
After at least 48 hours, you can then bath your little one or once mama feels ready and is able to stand/hold her baby. Your baby’s bath should be 37 degrees C to 38 degrees C, which is around body temperature. If you’re not using a thermometer, a quick way to check is to use your elbow rather than your hand to gauge the temperature (your hands are generally not as sensitive). The perfect product for washing bubs delicate skin – our Lovekins natural organic baby hair + body wash is enriched with Kakadu Plum (richest source of vitamin C on earth) and Tasmanian Pepper fruit to protect, soothe and gently cleanse and soften your child’s hair and skin. The grounding essential oil blend of Australian Blue Cypress and Lavender relaxes the senses (creating a lovely calming environment for bub). And leaves their skin smelling oh so good!
Massage
After bath time, wrap bub in a nice snuggle towel to dry off. I would then recommend giving baby a nice gentle massage before changing for bedtime. Did you know baby massage is a beautiful way for parents to communicate with children, especially during the pre-verbal phase of their life. Gentle, soothing massage encourages a feeling of safety and security in your child, helping them to feel more comfortable in this early, vulnerable stage. It’s also another way to express your affection for your baby. Lovekins baby massage oil is the perfect product for massage time – the beautiful, naturally scented oil leaves your baby smelling fresh and feeling warm and relaxed.
Skincare – super important!
After the massage, I would highly recommend moisturizing bubs body and face – remember he/she was in the womb for 9 months, swimming in natural moisturiser, keeping their skin very hydrated and protected. So it is important to maintain this as best you can once baby is born.
The Lovekins natural organic baby moisturiser includes nutrient rich shea and cocoa butter, which gently hydrates and softens your child’s delicate soft skin – it is 100% natural, free from any harmful chemicals and toxins.
I am a very strong believer in using only natural products on your baby’s delicate skin, so if you can, grab the Lovekins baby range before he/she arrives so you’re nice and ready for bath and skincare time.