Baths for a Newborn

[Tashakittie]

My babies have not liked bathtime! My first DS did not like taking baths until he was 1.5. DS2, now 4 weeks old, has not liked submersion baths at all yet, I don't know what I am doing wrong! I feel like I'm missing something completely- don't ALL babies like baths? I really don't want DS2 spending the next year and half hating something so pleasurable. I bathe him in the kitchen sink, with a cushiony fleece blanket on the bottom for comfort and support. I put a few drops of essential oil blend designed for calming babies. I make sure the water is just warm enough above room temp. I hold him with one arm, and do all the action with the other... With DS1 we had one of those tubs designed for babies, but really hated the thing. It never seemed supportive or comfortable, and b/c of the angle, it really did not allow for ds to get covered in water and therefor was cold. help! anyone have any suggestions/ tips?

[nashvillemidwife]

Try warmer water. I know they say not to use "hot" water for a baby, but would you really feel soothed in a bath that was only slightly warmer than room temperature? Do you have one of those little rubber duckies with the temperature sensor on the bottom to tell you when water is too warm for baby? With my baby those were a joke.

[lifeguard]

Ds screamed when we used the baby bathtub but from week #2 when we started having him bathe with me in the tub he loved the bath.

Yeah, & I use much warmer water than what is suggested. We got this little rubber ducky that has the word HOT that shows up if the water is too hot - besides causing arguments between dh & I the thing is useless - if I followed it the water would be waaaay too cold ime.

[Crunchy Frog]

With my babies I've always used water that was as close as possible to body temperature (97-99 degrees). I use a digital remote sensor thermometer to get the temp exact. I would think that just above room temp would feel cold to a newborn.

That being said, my babies HATED submersion baths when they were tiny, until I started taking them into the tub with me. They were much more relaxed and calm that way, and could nurse if they started to get upset. They soon got to where they really enjoyed baths.

They're too hefty to take into the tub that way now, so I use a Safety First bath chair in the tub, but they still seem to enjoy themselves.

[moonglowmama]

Mine have always taken baths with me until they could safely sit up on their own and loved it. I think partially it's because like a pp said, they can nurse, relax, even doze off.

I love baby baths!

Give it a go and see if it helps any!

[kerikadi]

Originally Posted by moonglowmama

Mine have always taken baths with me until they could safely sit up on their own and loved it. I think partially it's because like a pp said, they can nurse, relax, even doze off.

I love baby baths!

Give it a go and see if it helps any!

Always bathed with my babies until they were big enough for the kitchen sink.
Also, babies only need a bath once a week or so. We just wipe them down with a warm wash cloth once a day.

[sweeetpea]

I am another big fan of "co-bathing". We used this method with all three of our kiddies and they all loved it. Just fill up the tub with warm water, lay baby on your chest, splash and suds away. When we gave them the traditional bath on the spongy thing, they were not so happy.

[Tashakittie]

You all are brilliant. We co-sleep, why not co-bathe! with that said, that will definitely be the arrangement for the next bath. DS1 was happy getting clean when he was sturdy enough to stand in the shower.
Nashvillemidwife: I do not have a temperature sensor. W/ my first we had a device on the baby tub, but I never believed it. The water always seemed too cold, and we refused to put him into cold water. We didn't figure it out till way late, but we realized that the kid had an aversion to anything hot/ warm. He liked cool water!!!!

[boheime]

We co-bathe and co-shower (love my solarveil sling for that!). My kids love baths and showers.

[orangefoot]

Am I the only one who doesn't wash their babies?

If you wash sticky necks and crevices and wash bottoms I don't think total immersion is water is necessary if they aren't keen.

[Bluegoat]

Originally Posted by orangefoot

Am I the only one who doesn't wash their babies?

If you wash sticky necks and crevices and wash bottoms I don't think total immersion is water is necessary if they aren't keen.

I agree, it isn't required, they can be washed with a cloth. But my girls both loved the bath, so I gave them to them. They seemed to find them relaxing so they were a nice part of the before bed routine.