What I need for my baby's first bath

Bathing for many babies can be the best time of the day, an experience that calms them and relaxes them. After the umbilical cord falls, the baby's bath will be part of the routine, helping you to rest and relax. The ideal time is in the evening, although each family adapts the routines to their cho

The duration of the bath should be a maximum of 5 minutes during the first months of the baby. Once you enjoy the bath, about eight months we can let you play more time with rubber toys and submersible stories

We must heat the environment and have a temperature of 22-24 ºC and prepare everything we need to have it on hand.

The essentials to bathe the baby

- Thermometer: The water must be at a temperature between 36-37ºC. If we do not have a thermometer we can check the water temperature by submerging our elbow or wrist, although a water thermometer is always more reliable.

- Sponges: It is preferable that they are natural since they are softer and it is advisable to use two different ones, one for the bum and another for the rest of the body.

- Bath gel and shampoo: we can use a gel that works for the body and hair, it is best to be specific to babies, there is a lot of variety

- Towel: It is important that it be hooded, since so we can wrap the baby and not lose the heat. In winter we can put it on top of the radiator so it stays warm.

- Changing table: It is essential to have it on hand or in the bathroom because it will be at a good temperature or in a room that is more or less at the same temperature to avoid cold picking up the baby.

- Oil: When we have the baby dry we can give him a massage and moisturize his skin, I always recommend sweet almond oil, because it is natural and its benefits.

- Diaper and culete cream: once the baby is dry and hydrated we will put the diaper on; just in case you are irritated we will give you culete cream.

Tips for baby hygiene

After the bath it is very important to dry the baby well:

- Face: with a small and soft wipe, we will clean the forehead, cheeks and nose, ending with the areas around the mouth up to the chin and neck, we should not forget the folds.

- Eyes: with a gauze soaked in physiological saline we clean the contour of the baby's eyes and eliminate the legañas. Always use a gauze for each eye and if possible the serum in mono dose bottles)

- Ears: We should never put anything in the ears of the baby, since we can introduce more dirt. With a stick soaked in warm water we will gently remove the wax from the outside of the ear.

- Nose: if the baby has snot will be a good time to aspirate them, a little serum and a nasal aspirator will suffice.