How long after feeding can you bathe a 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.
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Can You Bathe a Baby After Eating?
3 minutes
Is it really necessary to wait 2 hours to bathe a baby after eating to prevent them from suffering digestive issues? Find out what the experts think!
Last update: 05 November, 2021
Do you remember those afternoons while you waited after a meal to be swim in the sea or in the pool? In the same way, it’s always been said that if you don’t wait at least 2 hours to bathe a baby after eating, they’ll get cramps. But how true is all this?
Recently, the Spanish Association of Pediatrics in Primary Care has written a press release stating that this is a myth and that the reasons for this phenomenon have nothing to do with submerging one’s self in water.
Why does cramping occur?
First of all, we must clarify what we mean when we talk about cramping or indigestion.
We’re referring to a complex and potentially serious phenomenon that’s produced by a sudden change in body temperature, while the digestive tract is in full swing.
The process of digestion involves increased blood flow to the abdomen, which increases the temperature of that part of the body. When bath water is very cold, that heat is quickly lost through the skin and hydrocution shock can occur. This causes a redirection of the blood towards the vital organs and the intestine stops working momentarily.
This is a critical situation, which is accompanied by symptoms such as severe belly pain, vomiting, altered consciousness, blurred vision, chills, sweating, and dizziness. And in this context, urgent action is needed to prevent death.
What steps to take to help your baby
In addition to avoiding sudden changes in body temperature after eating, it’s best not to offer large and copious meals on hot days.
Likewise, try not to stay under the sun’s rays after eating or practice intense physical activity for a while.
When in motion, the blood is directed to the muscles and this also limits the digestive supply.
Therefore, on summer days, it’s better for children to eat something light and rest in the shade before returning to their energetic play.
When’s the best time to bathe a baby?
Bathing your baby is a daily activity that helps them relax and have fun while splashing in the water.
Although it doesn’t matter what time you do it, it’s important to create a habit and maintain a fixed routine with more or less stable schedules. For example, before going to sleep, to facilitate rest, or in the morning, if you’re baby tends to get excited with activity.
In either case, make sure that the water temperature doesn’t cool the child’s body too much, especially when you opt to bathe a baby after eating.
Tips for when you bathe a baby after eating
As we’ve mentioned, in principle, there’s no problem if you want to bathe a baby after eating, as long as the water’s at a warm temperature.
That is, similar to that of your body, which is between 95 and 98.6 ° F.
For this reason, it’s essential that you use a water thermometer to check this parameter and avoid both cooling and accidental burns.
Finally, we recommend that the baby’s contact with water be progressive: First the feet, then the hands, and lastly, the rest of the body. This way, you’re little one will gain confidence and lose their fear of water. Also, it will help you to see their reaction and ask for help if you need it.
With all these tips, you can now enjoy the bath in peace.
It might interest you...all about the correct and comfortable bathing of the baby
After returning from the hospital, mother and baby get acquainted with the new order of life. The first bath of a newborn is especially exciting, because there are so many things to take into account: heat the bathing water to the right temperature, choose the foam, properly lay the baby.
We will analyze the most frequent questions of young parents about how to bathe a baby, in what water and for how long, so that the procedure is calm and pleasant.
Even during pregnancy, parents should prepare the bathroom. Your home should have:
bath tub
Plastic slide or hammock for swimming in the tub
Small mug or ladle for rinsing
Thermometer to check if the water is hot enough
Soft clean towels or diapers
Bath soaps, foams and shampoos
Why is bathing a newborn baby more than just hygiene?
Each contact with water for a child is a new emotional experience and an important procedure for strengthening immunity. Bathing allows:
- take care of your child's skin regularly;
- to train the thermoregulatory function of the baby's body;
- let the child explore the world through interaction with water;
- to calm the baby, which is especially valuable before going to bed;
- experience a special act of closeness between the child and the parents.
Should I bathe a child with an umbilical wound and how often should I take a bath?
Some pediatricians do not advise bathing the baby in the bath until the umbilical wound heals (usually this process takes two to three weeks), and suggest that parents get by with wiping with a damp cloth or special wipes. For example, baby wipes "My sun" are suitable, which can be used from the first day of life. Of course, in this case, you still need to wash the baby - to do it right, read the article "intimate hygiene of the newborn."
Other experts, on the contrary, suggest starting bathing on the first day after discharge. Parents themselves need to choose when the baby begins to take water procedures. It is better to rely on the recommendations of your pediatrician.
When is it absolutely impossible to arrange water procedures?
If the baby is sick and is experiencing an acute period of illness and feels unwell.
The doctor will advise when to resume full-fledged hygiene procedures, and will allow you to bathe when the baby begins to recover. In this case, you can bathe the child at a temperature if he feels well.
How often to bathe a newborn up to a month old
It is important to keep clean throughout the day. But pediatricians recommend bathing a baby with foam once or twice a week. In the period up to a year, two or three baths a week are enough.
How will the procedure for bathing a newborn change with age?
Many parents swaddle a child under the age of one and a half months before bathing. So the baby will be easier to tolerate the difference in air and water temperatures.
In the period from one and a half to three months, the baby can bathe, lying in a baby bath with a small amount of water at a temperature comfortable for him (on average - 37-38 degrees).
From three months, when the baby becomes more mobile, parents can practice bathing together in a large bath.
At the same time, you can purchase an inflatable ring for the baby.
A child older than six months is interested in actively exploring the world and playing with water. For bathing at this age, a special chair is useful. So the game is combined with useful procedures.
Water temperature for bathing a newborn
It is important for parents to adjust the temperature of the water and air in the room. Optimally - warm up the room to 24-26 degrees before the first bath. The easiest way is to turn on hot water for a few minutes. It is important to observe such a ratio of water and air temperatures in order to protect the baby from a cold. Before bathing, it is also worth checking all windows and doors so that there are no drafts in the rooms where the child will be brought in. Then you need to prepare a bath with warm water, about 37 degrees. This temperature is as close as possible to the temperature of the amniotic fluid of the mother, so the baby will feel comfortable.
What is the best way to check whether the water has warmed up enough or is it worth adding more boiling water?
The most reliable way is to control the water temperature with a special thermometer. You can also use the “elbow method” to check if the temperature is suitable for bathing a child. For an older baby, you can buy a thermometer-toy with which the baby will splash.
It may turn out that your baby likes cooler water or vice versa, prefers a warm bath. Over time, try changing the temperature by 1-2 degrees to see how the child likes it more. If the baby began to cry, stop and check if the temperature regime is disturbed. If the water is too hot, the baby's skin will quickly turn red. And if his water temperature is below normal, then he will reflexively clench his fists, the skin will turn pale.
How much time should I devote to bathing?
For the first time, you should not bathe a newborn baby for more than 5-10 minutes. Gradually increase the time of bathing, focusing on the mood of the baby.
If the baby easily spends 20-30 minutes in water, do not rush him: water procedures are useful for the emotional and mental development of the baby.
Why should a baby have its own bath tub?
Many parents think about what to bathe a newborn in - in a shared bath, a basin or in a special bath? We recommend bathing your newborn in a bath.
There are several objective reasons for this. First of all, in a small space, the baby will feel more comfortable. In addition, a small bathtub is easier to fill with warm water even in the season of water supply interruptions. Bathing a baby in an adult bathroom is not as hygienic as it is harder to keep clean. In the meantime, the child's fragile health and susceptibility to environmental influences do not allow him to use a common large bathroom.
It is better to buy a bath for a newborn in a specialized children's store - so you will be sure of its quality. The optimal size is from 65 cm. Pay attention to the anatomical baths: they are more convenient to use, because the bottom is placed at an angle and the baby's head always remains above the water, there is no need to build additional pillows from towels or diapers.
Before the first bath, you should thoroughly wash the walls and bottom with a disinfectant: it is best to choose baby soap. It is also worth pouring boiling water over the bath. After that, you need to fill the container with water by one third (⅓), over time, for convenience, you can hook a hammock or install a slide.
How to bathe a baby in a comfortable way?
Prepare boiled water at the right temperature, and also prepare all the necessary items: bathing fluid, towel, clean diaper, creams and clothes.
When everything is ready, undress the newborn.
Do not rush to immediately lower the child into the water: wet the arms and legs first, let them get used to it.
Rub the bathing product from the My Sunshine line on your palms and lather the baby with gentle movements. Gently clean the folds of the skin.
Wash off the foam with a ladle or mug.
Wrap the baby in an ironed towel or diaper. Synthetic or terry towels will not work.
Blot the skin from the heels to the top of the head.
Swaddle your baby or put on a romper and a vest.
Should I bathe my newborn before or after feeding?
There is a misconception that a significant amount of time must pass from the moment of feeding to bathing. This is not true. In fact, deciding when to bathe a newborn - before or after meals - should be based on the convenience of the parents. It is absolutely safe to feed your baby before bathing. Feed the baby and within a few minutes after feeding you can bathe him.
Another question is whether your baby will be comfortable splashing in the water immediately after eating. The behavior of children is purely individual: alone, without a tight snack, they cannot relax in the water; others, on the contrary, find it easier to swim with a feeling of lightness in the tummy. How best for your baby, practice and observation will show.
So the question of whether it is possible to bathe a child after feeding is decided purely individually.
How many hours before bedtime should I bathe?
And in this matter, everything is exclusively individual. It depends on the nature of the baby. Superactive children are recommended to bathe 2-3 hours before bedtime, calm children - about an hour. To give your baby a chance to relax, you can try bathing your newborn in a row. But this mode is not universal: it may turn out that your child will love morning baths.
We bathe a child, and he is constantly crying - what should I do?
If the baby is naughty and indignant every time, this is worth paying attention to. Most likely, the problem is not in the baby, but in the conditions in which the procedure takes place. Maybe the water is too hot or too cold. Maybe he does not like water procedures in a diaper. Or vice versa, it is worth trying this method to make it feel more comfortable. When bathing a newborn, try gradually heating or cooling the bath, add water in a thin stream.
If you have always arranged water procedures before bedtime, try moving them to the first half of the day.
Perhaps the baby wants to sleep more peacefully in the evening, and not flounder in the water. Also try to change the order of eating and hygiene procedures. Be more attentive and sociable with the baby while bathing him. Any of these important points can affect the mood of the baby during a visit to the bathroom.
How to choose baby bath products?
The main rule is to choose proven products with a mild pH that are suitable for baby's delicate skin. Using this advice, many mothers choose shampoos and foams from the My Sunshine series, which cleanse the skin and hair of the child much more gently.
Experienced parents suggest that bathing a baby should be done with the addition of an infusion of herbs. For example, chamomile for bathing a newborn is extremely useful: it soothes and heals the skin. But in the preparation of a decoction, proportions are important, it is difficult to observe them yourself. The first step is to coordinate the use of home herbal medicine with your pediatrician.
Especially if your baby has a tendency to allergies and skin problems.
In the My Sunshine series, you can choose bathing foams and shampoos with chamomile and string, which mothers use from the birth of a child. They are suitable for daily use, do not cause irritation and allergies. Many people know how useful a series is during bathing, especially if the baby has diaper rash or irritation. The extract of the series in the composition of the foam "My Sun" has anti-inflammatory properties, and the rice milk that supplements it nourishes and softens the skin.
You can supplement a newborn's cosmetic bag with Bayu-bayushki foam, which is specially created for bathing before going to bed: the aroma of lavender and rose oil will relax and calm the baby. The older the little one, the larger his own collection of “My Sunshine” products can be: one-year-old children can already pick up foams and shampoos with melon or tangerine flavors.
How to properly bathe your baby | 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 children'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.
Bathing time
Evening is considered the ideal time for bathing a child.
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).
Preparation 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.
Bath sequence
Make sure the bath is at a height that is comfortable for you before bathing your baby. Then fill the bath with warm water, if necessary, add bathing foam or herbal decoction to it. Check the temperature of the water with a thermometer or touch it with your elbow. Place a bucket of hot water next to the bathtub to add to the bathtub as it cools. Gently submerge the baby in the water, leaving the head on the surface, placing a pillow from a folded towel or diaper under it.
