How long after a feed should i bathe my baby
Bathing Your Baby - FamilyEducation
Read tips on safely bathing your baby for the first time.
You can continue with sponge baths for as long as your baby seems to enjoy them. However, anytime after the umbilicus has fallen off and the circumcision (if any) has healed, you can begin bathing your baby in a sink or tub.
Until your baby can sit up on his own (and even long after), you need to hold the slippery devil tightly-or at least keep one hand on him to provide support and safety. In addition, you need to lean over and wash your baby with your other hand, without once relaxing your grip. If you're kneeling by the side of a conventional tub and leaning over the edge, you can strain your back. That's why most parents of newborns bathe their babies in a sink or portable tub.
Most kitchen sinks have the advantage of being at approximately the right height for the average adult to wash a baby (like washing dishes) without significant back strain. They have a ready supply of water (though be sure to swing the spigot away from the sink or cover it with a washcloth to prevent unpleasant bumps). Kitchen sinks often also have the advantage of a sprayer attachment that makes rinsing easy (and, for some babies, fun). If you use a sink, be sure to line the bottom of it with a towel, rubber mat, or the foam-rubber insert from a portable tub to keep your baby's bottom from slipping and sliding.
Q-tip
If you put one foot up on a stool (or open the under-sink cabinets and put one foot on the ledge) while bathing your baby, you will probably feel considerably less back strain.
Portable tubs have the advantage that you can use them anywhere (including outside if weather permits). The need to have access to a source of warm water and the likelihood of considerable splashes and spills, however, make it most practical to set up the portable tub in the kitchen or bathroom. Choose a surface (a kitchen counter, a table, a vanity) where:
- The tub sits securely
- You have plenty of room around the tub for all the essentials (soap, shampoo, towel, diaper, clean clothes, and so on)
- You do not need to strain your back by bending over so much
Come On In! The Water's Fine!
Successful first baths often come down to timing.
If you bathe your baby three to four hours after she eats, she may be getting so hungry (and cranky) that she has no patience for the bath. On the other hand, if you bathe her right after she eats, the jostling may make her spit up. Aim for a bathtime between an hour and two hours after a meal. Many parents find that sandwiching bathtime between the evening meal and the final feeding of the day sets up a warm and relaxed atmosphere that makes it easier for the baby to nod off.
Babyproofing
If you can, set your water temperature at a maximum of around 96-100 degrees Fahrenheit (37-38 degrees Celsius). Also, when you run a bath (in a sink or tub), always turn the hot water tap off first. That way, if water drips into the tub, it will be cold-which your baby may find unpleasant, but not dangerous.
Before putting your baby in the water-indeed before you even undress her completely-test the water temperature with your elbow to make sure it is comfortably warm. (Don't use your hands as a gauge; they may be less sensitive to heat.
) After you test the temperature, undress your baby and, with one hand gripping her thigh and supporting her bottom and the other hand gripping her shoulder and supporting her neck and head, lower her bottom gently into the water. Maintain a secure hold and talk to her in calm tones in order to minimize her startle reaction. If your baby tenses up in the water, continue to hold her securely with both hands until she feels more relaxed. Give her time to get used to it.
Be sensitive to your baby's reactions. If she violently objects to being put in the water, remember that she doesn't have to take a bath. After all, you're not likely to overcome her fears by immersing her in them. Instead, continue giving her sponge baths and try again once a month or so until she feels more comfortable with all that water. If your baby doesn't get upset by the water (or if she calms down after her initial shock), maintain your firm grip on her shoulder (and your support of her head and neck), but release the hand on her thigh.
Now that you have a free hand, you can begin washing your baby. As you did with sponge baths, start at the top and move down. Again, wash and (if you use soap) rinse one part at a time before moving on to the next part. If you soap up your entire baby before rinsing, you're almost sure to lose your grip. A wriggling, soapy baby is like a greased pig: impossible to hold and then impossible to catch.
If the water cools too much while your baby is in the sink or tub, take her out. Because water temperature from a tap can change suddenly, filling or rewarming the sink or tub while your baby is in the water can be dangerous.
Always use two hands to lift your baby out of the tub (Caution: Slippery When Wet). Then immediately wrap her up in a towel. If you're not using a hooded towel, be sure to cover up your baby's head to keep her warm and cozy. Finally, when drying your baby, make sure to dry the many creases and folds in her skin just as carefully as you washed them. Trapped moisture in these creases can lead to a nasty rash.
How Long After Feeding Should I Bathe Baby? (With 4 Practical Tips)
Like the stereotypical advice to avoid swimming soon after eating, some new parents may hear that they should allow time after feeding before bathing their baby. Do you really need to wait before bathing your baby? And how long should you wait?
It is okay to bathe your baby at any time of day but when bathing your baby after feeding, wait at least 30 minutes (or, ideally, 1-2 hours) to allow your little one to digest their meal and avoid spit-ups or discomfort. You may prefer to bathe your baby before their last meal or even shortly before it. Either way, make sure your baby stays upright in the bathtub to avoid digestive problems.
Read on to learn more about incorporating bath time into your nightly routine, when to bathe before feeding, when to bathe after feeding, and tips for a successful bath after a meal.
Table of Contents
Why shouldn’t you bathe a baby after a feed?
Some parents choose to give their baby a bath every evening as part of a nightly bedtime routine.
Others prefer to bathe their little ones during the day or whenever they get dirty.
For both parenting styles, a key concern is whether or not there are any issues with bathing a baby just after a feeding.
Is it just like swimming?
Ideally, it is recommended that babies wait 1-2 hours after feeding before having a bath because taking a bath raises your body temperature, affects your circulation, and diverts energy away from digestion.
This is not a major issue for most people, but for newborns and colicky babies, rescheduling bath time may be a necessary accommodation.
Best baby routine: bath or feed first?
The best routine for your baby will depend on what works best for your family and which schedule incorporates your little one’s bedtime preferences. For example, if your baby can only fall asleep while nursing, then the bath will have to come first.
On the other hand, there are some advantages to bathing your baby after feeding.
It definitely offers the quickest way to clean up your baby after a bottle or nursing session and deal with any spit-up. Your baby may also be more cooperative and ready for a bath if their stomach is full and are no longer hungry.
Some babies enjoy baths and want to play. Others become relaxed and ready for bed, while others cry and don’t enjoy bath time. If you have a baby who gets very excited during bath time, bathing first will make more sense for your routine. If you have a baby who hates getting a bath, you will also want to bathe them first to not upset their stomach by crying.
Another consideration is that if your little one suffers from colic, reflux, or other feeding issues, it may not make sense to bathe them after eating, as they may need extra time to allow their stomach to settle.
Should you bathe a newborn before or after feeding?
Baths are very calming and can be a great way to help your newborn settle for bedtime and even sleep through the night.
Newborns are still acclimating to life outside the womb, and a warm, soothing bath can help replicate it. Therefore, many parents choose to schedule a bath as the last event for the day.
Newborns, in particular, may experience issues with baths after feeding due to the need for them to assume a reclining position in the tub. Since they can’t yet sit up on their own as older babies can, the likelihood of reflux issues is higher. Just as adults can have issues with lying down just after eating, it may not be the best idea to lay your little one down for a bath after a feeding.
Some newborns also need to be burped extensively after each feeding, which would make a post-meal bath more cumbersome. For these babies, getting bath time out of the way before an evening feeding session makes more sense. This is also the case for babies who have trouble settling and prefer to nurse or suckle a bottle to fall asleep.
Newborns often fall asleep while eating, so if a daily nighttime bath is important to you, then you may want to be sure bath time occurs first to avoid having to wake a sleeping baby.
Another consideration is that newborns often poop just after eating, especially breastfed babies whose digestion occurs quite rapidly. Waiting for this bowel movement and then giving a bath can be a more convenient option than giving a bath before a meal and needing to change a diaper again 30 minutes later.
When is the best time of day to give a baby a bath – night or day?
Ideally, you’ll want to give your little one a bath in the evening, at a time that is convenient for you and can allow for both parents to be involved. However, you don’t want to wait until too late at night when your little one is more likely to be overtired and fussy.
Choosing the right time to give your baby a bath is going to depend on many factors that are unique to your family, such as individual work schedules and bedtime preferences. At the end of the day, there is no real right or wrong answer.
You will also need to work around your family’s dinnertime and keep your little one’s feeding times in mind too.
Tips for bathing your baby after feeding
If you decide you want to bathe your baby after feeding, like many parents, here are a few tips to keep in mind for a successful routine.
Bathe your baby after her last feeding
Since bath time tends to make babies sleepy, it makes sense to bathe your little one right before bed. Many parents choose to bathe their baby right after their last feeding of the day.
Depending on your family’s unique needs, this may not work for you. For example, if you nurse your little one to sleep, then bath time needs to occur before the final feeding of the night.
Allow time for burping and digestion
You’ll want to wait at least a little while after feeding before getting bath time started, especially if your baby needs to be burped after each meal, is a newborn, or struggles with reflux.
Allowing time for proper digestion to occur is always a good idea at any age.
Keep temperatures mild
To reduce any potential digestion issues, keep the water temperature lukewarm to help aid with temperature regulation and circulation.
Bundle your baby up quickly after bath time and avoid lingering in the bath long enough for them to get cold.
Consider the tub
Ideally, if you are bathing your little one after a meal, their tub or assistive device will allow your baby to be at least somewhat elevated.
Lying completely flat after a meal is never a good idea, even if your baby isn’t colicky or subject to reflux.
Keep your baby as upright as possible to avoid any potential digestion issues.
Related Questions
When to start bathing baby daily?
The newborn and infant stages are always more difficult to navigate for parents because baby is so young and fragile. Adding water to the mix during a bath only raises the stress level!
Fortunately, you should be able to start bathing your baby daily starting around the 6-9 month mark – around the time they start transitioning to solid foods. At this stage, your baby has better motor control and can more easily sit up in the bath.
She might even enjoy it more!
Of course, not all skin types will tolerate a daily bath so don’t feel discouraged if you still need to skip a day. Invest in a high-quality, natural baby wipe to help hold you over between baths.
How often should you bathe your 1-month-old baby?
At one month, your baby’s skin is still quite sensitive and prone to drying out when exposed to too much water, soap, and shampoo.
You should typically bathe your 1-month-old baby about 3 times per week, on average.
At this stage, your baby is totally dependent on you to move her around and isn’t likely to make much of a mess anyway. Focus on wiping your baby’s face and neck thoroughly after each feeding to avoid smells and irritation.
How often should you bathe your 2-month-old baby?
At two months, your baby’s skin is probably still sensitive and prone to drying out when exposed to too much soap and shampoo.
You should typically bathe your 2-month-old baby about 3 times per week, on average.
Focus on cleaning up your baby well after each feeding with a high-quality, natural baby wipe to avoid skin irritation and stinky smells!
How to properly bathe a child. How to bathe your baby for the first time
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2-step procedure for the child's bathing from Johnson'S® 9000 2-step bath guide to strengthen the bond between you and baby through touch.
Fill the tub with warm water and bathe your child with a pleasantly scented product such as Johnson's® Baby Shampoo and Wash & Bath, which cleanses the skin without drying it out.
Then give your baby a soothing massage with Johnson's® Cotton Softness Oil, which is great for moisturizing baby's skin.
JOHNSON'S® Baby Toe Toe Wipes are a quick and easy way to gently cleanse your baby's skin. The wipes are safe for sensitive children's skin, like clean water, they quickly wash off dirt, they are fragrance-free.
Bathing Tips and Tricks for Babies
Bathing is a great way to signal the transition from wakefulness to rest and to feel closer to your baby. Here are some tips and tricks to make bathing easier and more enjoyable.
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Clean only exposed areas of your baby's body.
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Every child is unique: some don't like to take a bath right after eating. Many mothers believe that it is better to bathe the baby before feeding.
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Remember, it's important to keep your baby safe while bathing. NEVER leave a child alone in the bath.
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Set the water temperature to 49 degrees or lower to prevent scalding.
Water does not wash away dirt that may remain after wearing diapers.
Most pediatricians recommend bathing babies 2 or 3 times a week, then more frequently as the baby grows.* Between baths, you can sponge your baby with a gentle cleanser and then moisturize the skin with baby oil or milk.
* According to the recommendations of the Union of Pediatricians of Russia: https://www.pediatr-russia.ru/sites/default/files/file/uhod_za_kojey.pdf
Bathing promotes social and emotional development
Your gentle, loving touch while bathing and hugs after him will help the child grow up healthy and happy. Indeed, studies have shown that parental touch promotes social-emotional development as well as improves motor skills.
What you can do
Have fun, praise the child for success, for example, when he learns to squeeze a sponge or float toys in the water.
Explore new things, play with them, for example, learn how to splash by slapping water.
After bathing, hug your baby - this way you will strengthen your emotional connection.
What is it for
Your child is smart and capable, and you rejoice in his achievements while playing together.
The child learns to take turns and understands that playing together is fun and enjoyable.
The child feels that he is loved, and this raises his self-esteem.
How to properly bathe a child | Happy Moments
With the advent of a small child in a family, sometimes the simplest things seem incredibly difficult for new parents. Feeding the baby, dressing and hygiene ... And such an event as the first bath turns out to be a whole sacrament for many, requiring special knowledge and skills. However, having mastered this process, very soon both parents and the baby will begin to receive a lot of pleasure, pleasant emotions and benefits from it.
Benefits of bathing
Bathing a child in the bath is not just about taking care of the child's skin, but also strengthening the immune system. During water procedures, the baby hardens, trains its not yet perfect thermoregulation.
The child learns the world, masters a new environment for himself, feels his body differently, and of course, receives positive emotions together with his parents. In addition, taking a bath soothes, relaxes and prepares the baby for sleep. Thus, daily bathing becomes an important stage in the formation of the baby's regimen from the first days of life.
Bath time
The evening is considered the ideal time for bathing the baby. Water perfectly calms, adjusts to a night's sleep. It is important for parents who have chosen this daily routine to create an atmosphere of peace themselves so that the baby does not get overexcited and can sleep peacefully. However, there are children for whom evening bathing is not suitable due to individual characteristics of the regimen: then their parents should bathe him in the morning, choosing the most convenient moment in order to get the maximum benefit and positive emotions from the process.
Another question that worries many parents is when to wash their baby - before feeding or after? And even pediatricians do not have a clear answer, since the baby himself determines the time for bathing with his mood.
If the baby is hungry and crying - taking a bath, of course, should be postponed, after waiting some time after feeding (especially if the baby is bottle-fed, because mixtures are digested longer than breast milk).
Preparing for bathing
Most parents prefer to wash their newborn baby in a plastic baby bath with a little water in it. Beforehand, the bath must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected by dousing with boiling water. For the first baths of a newborn, it is recommended to use cooled boiled water, or add a weak solution of potassium permanganate to the tap.
The optimal temperature to start swimming is 33-34 degrees. If you have not had time to get a water thermometer, you can make sure that the water is at the right temperature by dipping your elbow into the bath.
The air temperature in the room should also be comfortable: you need to make sure that there are no drafts in the room, but you shouldn’t close all the doors either, so that later on leaving the stuffy bath you don’t create sudden temperature changes for the baby.
Prepare a bucket of warm water for rinsing your baby, a diaper and a large towel to wrap your baby up after bathing. Before you wash your baby, prepare clean clothes, cotton swabs, a clean diaper, and baby skin care products.
Baby bath products
Modern baby bath products can be used from the first days of life. Baby soap and shampoo should have a special pH level that suits the delicate and sensitive skin of the baby, be sure to be hypoallergenic, and do not contain harmful fragrances. Pediatricians recommend using soap or foam for bathing very young children no more than 1-2 times a week. Shampoo your child's hair once a week. On other days, it is enough to bathe the baby in clean water. If necessary, a decoction of chamomile, calendula or string can be added to the water: this is especially true when irritation or prickly heat appears on the child's skin.
Bathing sequence
Before bathing your baby, make sure the tub is at a height that is comfortable for you.
