How to bathe a newborn in winter

The weather is very cold in winter so people don’t like to take a bath. Newborns should be bathed regularly, otherwise the dirt on the body may infect the child with viruses. Because newborns have relatively poor body resistance, parents should be careful when bathing their babies. They should not let the babies catch cold due to bathing, otherwise they may catch a cold. So how should newborns be bathed in winter?

How to bathe your baby in winter

With the arrival of winter, adults' hands are relatively cold, and it is not easy to control the water temperature when bathing the baby. We can use a bath thermometer, add more water, and control the water temperature at 37-40 degrees Celsius, which is the most comfortable water temperature for the baby to avoid scalding him.

At the same time, the winter wind is strong and cold. To prevent your baby from catching a cold, remember to close the doors and windows when bathing. If conditions permit, you can add a bath cover for your baby. Try to put more steam in the bath cover to make it warm. This way, the baby can stay there for a while longer without being too cold.

Winter baby bath time

Choose a time of day when you won't be disturbed and can fully focus on your baby. It is best if the baby is awake and in a good mood before taking a bath. Choose a time between feedings when your baby is neither hungry nor full. If your baby is still a newborn, it will be easier to bathe him during the day. But by the time he's a few months old, a bath can become part of his bedtime routine. Warm water can help your baby relax and make him feel sleepy. This is also a great opportunity to get the rest of the family involved. Bathing the baby at night is a part of baby care that dads are usually willing to take on.

In addition, the baby's skin has a thin stratum corneum. In order to avoid wrinkling the skin and preventing the baby from catching a cold, the bathing time should be controlled within 15 minutes. After washing, do not leave the bathroom immediately, but dry the baby's body and head thoroughly. Then wrap it tightly with a thick cotton bath towel, especially the head, which should be wrapped with a separate towel. Then open the bathroom door and wait for 3-5 minutes before taking the baby out. This will prepare the baby to adapt to the temperature change. After returning to the bedroom, thoroughly dry the baby's feet, armpits, groin and other parts before putting on clothes.

How many times should a baby take a bath in winter

It is not advisable to take a bath too frequently in winter. In areas north of Guangdong, if the child does not sweat much during the day, he or she usually washes his or her butt, feet, and face before going to bed at night. In Guangdong, people take a bath once a day or every other day at most. Make sure to wash your baby's face, hands and bottom every day. Each bath should be done between feedings. For babies who don't sleep well, you can wash your baby before going to bed at night to help them sleep.

How to care for your baby after bathing in winter

After taking a bath, immediately wrap the baby in a bath towel and dry the whole body, leaving the navel exposed. Use an alcohol swab to clean the navel from the middle to the outside, and be careful to keep the navel dry and clean. If the navel is red, has pus or an unpleasant odor, you should see a doctor.

Usually, you can apply some talcum powder on the wrinkles of the skin to make your baby feel dry and comfortable. Apply protective oil to your baby's buttocks to prevent urine from irritating the skin and causing diaper rash.

Put diapers on your baby and clothes on him. However, the baby should not be wrapped tightly in a "candle bag". His hands and feet should be relaxed and allowed to move freely, which is conducive to breathing and blood circulation to promote growth and development.

If your baby's facial skin is dry, you can also apply a small amount of moisturizing oil on the face to keep the skin moist and smooth. It is worth noting that commercially available baby products such as skin care oil and talcum powder can only be used in moderation when the baby does not have any skin disease. Moreover, these oils or powders should not be sprinkled directly on the skin of the newborn. They should be sprinkled on your hands first and then applied to the baby.

If there are rashes, red buttocks and other conditions on the skin, it is most important to keep it dry and apply medicine as instructed by the doctor. If you use these oils or powders at this time, it will be an unnecessary irritant to the baby and will do more harm than good.