How To Give Your Baby a Sponge Bath - Having A Plan Helps

The first bath that you give your baby will be a sponge bath, when you decide that you want to bathe your baby in a baby bath tub will be up to you. It is a good idea to bathe your baby every few days, when they are newborn. There are things that you can do to make your baby as comfortable as possible during their sponge bath.

You may have a baby bath that has a sling for the purpose of sponge baths and if you don't all you need to have is a soft blanket, changing pad or even a towel will work to lay the baby on when you give your baby a sponge bath. You can lay the blanket or towel on the kitchen or bathroom counter, on a table, firm bed or changing table. If you have a changing table with straps to keep your baby from rolling off of the edge, giving your baby a sponge bath on a changing table can be very helpful. As long as the floor is not cold you can lay the item that you going to give your baby a sponge bath on, on the floor.

You will want to make sure that you keep all of the warm water that you need near you, because you will want to keep a hand on the baby at all times, even if you are using changing table straps. Make sure before you undress your baby that you have everything that you need, an extra towel to dry your baby off with and wrap them up in after the bath. Having a clean diaper set aside and the clothes that you want to put on your baby should be picked out but you don't have to have them near the bath because you won't be diapering or dressing your baby immediately after the bath. You will need a washcloth obviously, but baby soap is optional.

Place your naked baby in a towel and place them on the item that you chose to add comfort, blanket or towel, on the surface, table or counter, that you are bathing them on. Dampen the washcloth and ring it out completely and first wash the baby's face, without using any soap. For the rest of the body you don't have to ring out the wash cloth completely. As you wash the different areas of your baby's body you can keep the rest of their body wrapped in the towel and unexposed. Wash in all of the creases on the arms and legs, behind the ears, your baby's neck folds and in the diaper area. If you do decide to use soap, mild infant, make sure that you rinse it all off throughly.

Washing your baby's hair when you are giving them a sponge bath can be a bit more tricky, especially if you use soap. If you don't think that you can throughly rinse all of the soap out of your baby's hair using a washcloth you can place a shallow bowl under your baby's head when you are holding them up and pour water over their hair.

Baths can be very fun but when your baby is very young they may be fussy while you are giving them a sponge bath. It helps to stay positive because your baby will feel that you are comfortable and feel more comfortable themselves. Talk to them, telling them that it is okay. Once the sponge bath is over keep them wrapped up and before you get them dressed hold them snugly and nurse them to help them get more comfortable. Once they have calmed down, possibly even fallen asleep, you can diaper and clothe them.