After bringing your baby home from the hospital, he or she will need to start getting baths. Typically, one to two per week coupled with spot washing is all you need to worry about until your baby is a few months old. In fact, during the first two weeks while the umbilical cord and/or circumcision are healing, only sponge baths would be recommended to avoid infection.
Once you get ready for the “real” baths, you would need to decide where you would give your baby a bath. Although the bathtub seems like the obvious choice, it is probably the most inconvenient and perhaps unsafe, at least while your baby is small. If you want to use the bathtub, you want to make sure there is always a towel on the bottom or non-slip appliqués. However, another great option is to use a baby bath that sits down in the tub.
This type of baby tub is designed to fit a baby’s body, which provides a more controlled setting. Typically, you would find the tub to have a padded headrest, built-in basin where you can keep shampoo, soap, washcloths, toys, and so on, along with a drain plug, making water changes easy. Although there are many different designs, one of the favorites is the one that adjusts. The benefit here is that the tub grows with your baby while providing excellent support.
Remember, the goal with choosing any baby tub is safety and convenience. You want your baby to feel secure while giving you peace of mind. With a bath cradle, your newborn is cradled comfortably. You can control the level of the water better and keep everything you need safely within reach. The most important thing you can do as a parent is be prepared for bath time.
By having all the supplies and clothing items within reach, you never have to take your eye off the baby. Unfortunately, a baby can drown in just one inch of water so he or she should never be left alone, not even for one second. If the phone rings in another room, just allow it to ring. If someone comes to the door, don’t answer or wrap the baby in a towel and take him or her with you.