Many people believe that it is not advisable for children and during the first year of life to use hygiene products for bathing newborns. But this is a misconception, since a child’s skin is also susceptible to pollution. The use of massage oils and diaper creams can clog the micropores of the baby's skin.
You need to carefully choose a product for washing newborns, based on the experience of other mothers and the reputation of the brand. Bathing products for newborns are adapted for use from birth. They do not dry out or injure the delicate skin of a newborn. Children associate hygiene procedures with play. It is important to have a positive energy wave from mother and baby.
Morning wash
Every new morning you need to start with washing your face.
To wash your baby, place a bowl of boiled water nearby and wipe the baby’s face with a moistened cotton swab, and then pat it dry with a clean diaper. Don't forget to wipe the neck folds too. If the skin on your cheeks is still peeling, lubricate it with baby cream after washing.
There are special devices for washing the nose, eyes, and ears - turundas. Moms don’t have to go to great lengths to make cotton or gauze wicks - just go to any pharmacy and buy these easy-to-use devices. It’s too early to use cotton swabs - they can damage the baby’s delicate skin.
Eyes
Let's soak such a turd in water and carefully run it over the closed eyelids of the little one - from the temple to the nose. First one eye, then the second.
It is in this direction that the eyes clean themselves with the help of tear fluid. If you notice mucous discharge, start rinsing with the healthy eye to prevent infection. Tell your pediatrician if you notice any discharge.
Nose, ears
To clean the nose, take a dry turunda, carefully insert it into the nasal passage, turn clockwise approximately 360 degrees 1 or 2 times and remove the turunda. This will remove any accumulated mucus. Do the same with the second nasal passage. If crusts have formed in your nose, then moisten the swab with cosmetic oil and soften them for 2-3 minutes.
Using the next clean and dry flagellum, remove any remaining crusts.
The child’s ears should be cleaned in the morning as needed, but you can also do this after bathing to remove excess moisture at the same time. To do this, just leave the swabs in your ears for a couple of minutes.
Washing
Babies should be washed with warm running water after each bowel movement.
Take the child under the arms so that his tummy rests on your hand, and with the other hand hold his back and carry him straight to the bathroom. Turn on the tap so the water is warm and put some baby bath gel on your hand. However, it is not at all necessary to use a gel or other cosmetic product, especially if the baby is prone to allergies.
Due to the anatomical structure of the organs of the genitourinary system, girls are washed from front to back, and boys - in any direction. And don’t be afraid - the little one really likes this hanging position on his mother’s hand.
After washing, dry the baby with a soft towel, paying special attention to the folds on the legs, but do not rush to change the diaper. It is very useful to give your child an air bath for several minutes after each wash. Especially if he is in a good mood.
Recommendations for selection
When a newborn appears in the family, the need to bathe him immediately arises. This cannot be done with regular gel and soap, because... The baby is not yet ready for such tests. You need to buy a product at the pharmacy marked “0+” or “from birth”. Regardless of whether products are selected for girls or boys, you need to consider the following tips:
- Composition of the product. It should not contain harmful mineral oils, alcohol, sulfates, parabens and surfactants. You need to choose only natural formulations: with castor, coconut or olive oil, string, calendula, chamomile.
- Avoid purchasing products that contain fragrances and fragrances. Aroma is not the most important criterion. Moreover, children are irritated by the strong smell, and they react poorly to it: they become capricious, start crying, and do not want to bathe. To prevent this from happening, try to choose products with a neutral scent.
- Choose the right consistency. Bathing products for babies are produced in the form of liquid and solid soap, foam, and gel. Each option is designed for a specific age. From 6 months they use gel, while from one year onwards they use soap. The foam is suitable for body and hair.
- Availability of a quality certificate. Before buying a product, ask the seller to present a quality certificate. It may not be available for budget products. According to buyers, it is better not to pay attention to inexpensive products at all. There are many proven brands of children's cosmetics. Products from the brands “Ushasty Nyan”, Mustela, “Moe Solnyshko”, Bubchen, Weleda received positive reviews.
Parents need to take their first bath very seriously. Since the newborn is still very fragile, vulnerable, fearful and helpless, how the first bath goes will determine how much the baby will enjoy this process in the future. If something goes wrong, bathing will become a real test for the baby, and for parents - a test of strength and endurance.
The child is not bathed immediately after arriving home, but the next day.
The newborn must get used to the new atmosphere, crib and room, the people around him, feel love, affection, tenderness and complete protection. For bathing you need to use a baby bath. Which company is better is up to everyone to choose for themselves, but it must be safe, convenient and made from environmentally friendly material.
Manufacturers produce many accessories for bathing babies. You can purchase a fabric hammock, a plastic slide, or a thick fabric slide stretched over a metal frame. There are also bathtubs with built-in slides in stores.
Evening swimming
After discharge from the hospital and the umbilical wound has healed, the baby can be bathed. During the first month, you need to bathe the child every day, and then - depending on the condition of the baby and parents - every other day or even a little less often.
Currently, doctors advise using warm water straight from the tap (do not boil).
Water temperature
The temperature should be from 33 to 37 degrees, no more. Here you need to look at the baby’s well-being - slightly cooler water will stimulate him to move and be active, and above 35 degrees will relax and calm him down.
To measure temperature, choose an alcohol thermometer, which can be kept in the bath constantly during bathing. This will allow you to control the water temperature. The thermometer must be protected by a plastic case.
Bathing products
Once a week you need to wash your baby using baby bath products. It doesn’t have to be baby soap; you can use foams, gels, and shampoos. It makes no sense to abandon the achievements of progress and return completely to the methods of our grandmothers - herbal decoctions.
This can be resorted to only in certain cases - if the newborn has heat rash, irritation or diaper rash. Decoctions of string, chamomile, and lavender are very beneficial for the skin. It is no longer recommended to add potassium permanganate solution to water. This is due to the mass allerization of the population.
For swimming you will need:
- Bath;
- Soap, gel or others;
- Ladle;
- Soft towel;
- Natural sponge;
- Baby oil, powder;
- Clean clothes to change into.
Bathing process step by step
- Make sure the water temperature is normal. Supporting the baby’s hips and buttocks with one hand, and the head and shoulders with the other, carefully lower him into the water;
- Release the hand that was supporting the hips and immerse the child in the water up to shoulder level. Lather the body, starting from the folds of the neck, behind the ears and beyond;
- Apply a few drops of shampoo to the head and massage, rinse off the foam from the face to the back of the head;
- Supporting the baby's chest with your hand, carefully turn the baby onto his tummy and wash his back and butt;
- Use warm water prepared in advance from a ladle to rinse off any remaining soap. Holding the shoulders and buttocks, remove the baby from the bath;
- Dry the entire body, folds, head with a fluffy terry towel;
- If necessary (skin peeling, prickly heat, diaper rash), apply a cosmetic product to the child’s skin - it can be baby cream, talc, etc.;
- After 2-3 minutes of taking an air bath and drying, put on clean underwear.
Which products are better to buy?
The skin of newborns is too thin and sensitive. Diaper rash and irritation often occur on it, even if parents try to properly care for their little angel. The immune system of babies is constantly developing, so they are very sensitive to fungi and bacteria.
The cosmetics used quickly penetrate the developing organism through the epidermis. Metabolism in newborns is almost instantaneous. If you use low-quality components, this can lead to allergic reactions and negative manifestations.
What is the best product to buy for bathing babies? Something that can strengthen the protective functions of the epidermis. It should be delicate, soft in consistency, environmentally friendly, hypoallergenic and one hundred percent safe. What should you pay attention to so as not to make mistakes when choosing? On the composition of the product. It should not contain paraffin, petroleum jelly, silicones, mineral oils, dyes, parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), polyethylene glycol (PEG).
The best manufacturers produce popular models with the following natural herbs:
| Kinds | Main characteristics |
| Olive leaves | Increases the immune system of the epidermis. |
| Chamomile | Softens and soothes the skin, prevents redness. |
| Series | After the first use, redness and inflammation of the skin disappear, irritation is eliminated. |
| Aloe | Promotes healing of wounds and moisturizing the skin. |
| Calendula | Has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects on the skin. |
In addition to natural herbs, manufacturers add oils to cosmetic formulations for baby care:
| Name | Description |
| Linen | It has an anti-inflammatory effect, saturates the skin with vitamin E and omega fatty acids. |
| Sweet almonds | Eliminates flaking of a newborn's skin, making it smooth and soft, moisturizes. |
| Sunflower | Saturates the epidermis with vitamin E, heals damaged tissues, and moisturizes. |
| Shea butter (karite) | Restores the acid-base balance of the skin, accelerates the healing process, and removes dermatitis. |
| Siberian cedar | Promotes antioxidant protection, eliminates flaking. |
Popular cosmetics for children contain the following components:
- Vitamin A. Softens the epidermis, removes flaking.
- Vitamin E. Prevents negative external factors from adversely affecting the condition of the baby’s skin.
- Zinc oxide. Dries the epidermis to prevent the development of fungi. Has antiseptic properties.
- Beeswax. Protects the skin from moisture loss and heals damage.
- Vegetable glycerin. Retains moisture in the epidermis.
- Vitamin B5 (panthenol). Helps with atopic dermatitis. Eliminates peeling, itching and irritation.
Duration of bathing and aids
The first bath should last no more than 5 minutes. Then, as your child gets older, you can increase this time by 3-5 minutes per week or more. If your baby likes this procedure, it won’t hurt him at all (provided you do everything correctly and follow the doctor’s recommendations).
Children's stores now offer many devices for the safety and comfort of children when bathing: suction beds, hammocks, support rings and much more.
It is better to start using them a little later - after two months, especially for inexperienced parents. And from the first days, the most reliable protection for a little one should be mother’s and father’s affectionate hands.
What to do if a child does not like to wash and screams?
Such situations do occur, says Komarovsky. But the point here is not at all about the child and not even about the fact that he is afraid of something. Most likely, according to a famous pediatrician, bathing conditions should be adjusted. Maybe the water temperature does not suit the baby - it is too high or too low for him. After experimenting for several days, parents will be able to understand which water is most comfortable for their child. Bathing should begin with it - and only then adjust the temperature in favor of cooling (adding cold water in a thin stream) or heating (adding hot water in the same way).
Another reason for a child’s screaming in the bathroom, according to Komarovsky, lies in the baby’s rejection of the bathing process, since it goes against his internal biological clock.
For example, a mother tries to bathe her baby only at night, and it is at this time that the child wants to sleep and not bathe. Therefore, Komarovsky gives some advice that will help parents whose children have trouble in the water:
Change the time of day.
Change your eating and bathing routine. If your baby screams when bathing half an hour after eating, then try bathing him half an hour before eating (or vice versa).
Practice sharing baths with your baby.
Bathing product with natural string extract “Bathing without tears”
Dr. Bubble is a series of clean and natural cosmetics from the Compliment® brand based on organic compounds. The line is designed specifically for babies from birth. Worth age 0+. I love such notes, and often I can even use such tools myself. If it’s possible for the little ones, then it won’t harm us either. The product has a velvety soapy texture and foams well. We use it to wash the body. Although it is also designed for washing the hair, it does not wash the thick long hair of a five-year-old girl.
Herbal decoctions. How and why to use it. Advantages and disadvantages
Everyone knows about the healing properties of natural products.
Herbal decoctions for bathing children have always been used and are still relevant today. They help with redness and diaper rash, soothe the skin and are one of the best antiseptics. But there are also disadvantages - allergies. Therefore, before use, consultation with a pediatrician is necessary, and mandatory testing - apply the infusion to a small area of skin and wait 10 minutes. If redness or any other allergic reaction does not occur, you can safely bathe your baby. IMPORTANT! Be sure to test your baby to prevent unwanted allergic reactions. If a reaction occurs, consult a doctor immediately; if necessary, call an ambulance!
Powders
To further protect your baby's skin from diaper rash, the most sensitive parts of the body need to be additionally treated with powder . These are elbow folds, cervical and axillary folds. Properly selected and natural powder will absorb excess moisture and protect the skin from irritation.
IMPORTANT! Most often, powder is used in the summer, when babies sweat a lot. Don’t forget to treat your baby’s delicate skin on time to avoid diaper rash!
Reviews from parents
Veronica, 34 years old, Alexey (2 years old) I used different products to bathe my son until I discovered the Mustela . I decided to start with a gel for washing my hair and body . I really liked it - the hair is soft and fluffy, it washes off easily and quickly, and leaves a pleasant smell. We had a problem - up to a year and a half, crusts formed on the head in some places, and only with this remedy did they all go away. Plus - it does not dry out the skin and makes it softer.
Logona
Natural gentle product Country: Germany Average price: 596 rub. Rating (2019): 4.4
Logona is designed to gently cleanse the skin of newborns. There are no harmful synthetic additives, only the most beneficial ingredients. The risk of irritation and allergic reactions is minimal. Extracts and oils care for the skin and restore water balance. Proteins and extracts soothe, relieve inflammation, and prevent dryness. The product is suitable from the first days of life, it is clinically tested and has a BDIH certificate. The formula does not even contain sodium lauryl sulfate, which is so popular in cosmetics for babies.
Reviews say that it produces a little foam. Therefore, the drug is used instead of shampoo and shower gel. It is used sparingly, does not sting the eyes, and is easily washed off. The formula is colorless and has very little scent. Calendula calms the nervous system and helps the child sleep better at night. The main disadvantage is low durability. The foam lasts up to 10 minutes, then dissolves.
Features of children's skin
As you understand, children's skin has its own differences, it is more delicate, thinner, with its own water balance, the hairs are thin, and the sebaceous glands are not yet developed at all. Therefore, when a baby appears in the house and until he is approximately ten years old, it is necessary to use special children's cosmetics.
Now on store shelves there is a huge selection of cosmetics for children, different companies, different compositions and, as a result, different pricing policies. Let's figure out how to choose the right one among the variety of means?
Bath foam, Bübchen
The manufacturer honestly indicated that the age of use is from 3 years. And, in principle, this is true. The composition contains both soft surfactants and one alkaline one, but their ratio is completely balanced, so the product will not harm the skin. Glycerin, as a good moisture-retaining component, is at the forefront of the composition. All other components are noted in lower concentrations. It is also suitable as a shampoo, no doubt.
Price: 149 rub.
Cream-Soap for bathing with natural milk and prebiotics “Dairy Country”
Cream soap is also designed for washing the body and head. Calendula extract soothes and nourishes children's skin. Active nutritional supplements - prebiotics, milk protein, olive oil - protect children's skin from drying out, moisturize and support its natural functions. Well suited for use in the cold season. It is also suitable for washing your hair, but I still prefer to use shampoos separately.
