Baby Bathing

As I have said in my previous article, I will elaborate the topics covered in ParentinTV talk series held last Saturday. I arrived a bit late on the venue and the first speaker is already on the floor when I was seated (my apologies to Dr Maila dela Cruz). If I am not mistake, the topics she discussed is about proper hygiene on our babies. The topic focused on baby bathing, its importance and simple how tos.

The question was SPONGE BATH or FULL TUB BATH?

For a first time parents, it would be hard to tell which is which. We were raised to bathe our infants, full tub bath way. I don’t even consider sponge bath as a way to clean my babies (only used it when they have fever). The discussions and the information Dr Maila shared to us was very enlightening not just for first time moms but also to fourth time mommy like me.

Bathing a baby is not an easy task, some are actually scared on doing it the first time. If done in proper way it can be fun for both the baby and the mother. Keep in mind that bathing should be a routine in your baby’s everyday activity. You should set a time, a fixed time everyday, to bathe the baby. It is also advisable that the parents are the one performing this task. It is a great way to bond to your baby. The most important thing you should know is the amount of water used in bathing the baby. A 3 inches deep water is enough to drown your bundle, keep that in mind, one inch of water is enough. Another thing is, talk to your baby when you are cleaning them, sing them a song or tell them which body part you are soaping. Lastly, respect your baby, ask for their permission. Tell them what you are going to do next, like tell me you are about to dip them in the water and so on.

There are two ways on how to clean your baby, that is SPONGE BATH and FULL TAB BATH.

SPONGE BATH is used (and I don’t know about it until last Saturday) during the first few days of the baby (first 14 days) or until the time the umbilical cord falls. It is to sponge bath the baby to prevent water contact on his umbilical cord that may lead to infection.

FULL BATH TUB is the usual bathing procedure we do to our babies. Again this only done on 14th day of the baby (and as I have said I am not aware of it until Saturday.. and to think I already got three!).

I will post more on the two on Wednesday. This article is getting longer .. I had learned from the seminar that use of baby oil before taking a bath has no scientific basis and so, so. In my parenting experience it was pointed out to me that baby oil is necessary to keep the baby from getting cold. It just blew me off.