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The comb is used to remove remnants of childbirth while still in the maternity ward.
That little thing, so long awaited and soft, was born. It’s even scaring to hold it so delicate that a newborn is! But he needs to be fed and showered right? What will the first bath in the maternity hospital be like and also how to prepare for the first bath at home? Can a few-day-old baby bathe in the bucket? Initially several doubts may arise! Even those who have more experience with young children. It seems that things change very quickly and even the techniques differ with time.
Several techniques have emerged, but the oldest ones persist in some places, after all, each maternity hospital has a professional who thinks a certain technique is correct. But can the first bath be done from head to toe? Do I have to wash the baby’s head separately or can I bathe the way my mother was used to giving her children? Let’s unveil!
As soon as the baby is born, it is cleaned by a nurse while still in the delivery room, regardless of whether the birth took place through normal or caesarean sections. The baby that just came out of his mother’s womb is born moist and surrounded by a layer of fat that protects him from the water that is directly in contact with his skin.
The vernix must not be removed from the baby’s skin at this first moment . In fact, he is resistant! If you force your way out by rubbing, you can severely hurt the baby. It is recommended that the fatty layer be removed over the days gradually during the bath. When we see these birth videos on the internet and we are faced with this scene, it is actually them drying the baby so that he does not feel cold.
The first bath in the maternity ward may not be as Mom imagined. Some hospitals choose not to bathe the baby with a bathtub, basin or shower. Some opt for a “bath” with moistened cloths. A common procedure in the first bath is to remove the debris from the birth of the baby’s head. With a fine but firm comb, water and soap or baby oil, the nurse in charge of giving the first bath in the maternity ward gently removes the remains of the hair and scalp. This dirt is part of the placenta or blood that was inside the amniotic pouch.
The first bath is given after the baby’s adaptation time outside the mother’s tummy. Usually about 3 hours after birth and staying in the appropriate greenhouse for post-birth. This procedure avoids thermal shock and facilitates adaptation to the new environment where it is. It is clear that the maternity bath is not the same as the one given at home, in addition to having much more experience , everything is at hand, adapted for this. As for the affection it may not be the same thing, but depending on the professional who is in charge of this task, it will be done with a lot of love and it is worth it to be filmed by dad or whoever can accompany the birth in the maternity ward.
The First Bath at Home
The first bath at home can be a challenge! Not so much if you are an experienced mother but still challenging. Do you know the baby’s cry at bath time? This can be very frightening to those who are on a mission to give the first bath. Like many women, the first time here at home was executed by grandma! Nothing better than experienced hands! But what about those who don’t have that opportunity? How to give the first bath? Follow the instructions:
- Separate the clothes, diaper and everything else you need (clothes, towels, soap, anti-rash ointment, cotton, cotton swab, 70% alcohol, comb and brush)
- Prepare the bath water at a temperature of 36.8 to 37.5. This temperature is ideal for the baby’s bath. Always remember to add cold water before adding hot water if you are going to prepare the bath by tempering the water without a shower.
- Before anything, remember to close the door and windows. Afterwards, undress the baby and check if there are any more elements in the diaper than the pee! If so, wipe with wet wipes or wet cotton. Clean thoroughly before bathing the baby.
- Some places teach how to wash the baby’s head first and after drying, bathe the body. This is a choice that mom must make. If you opt for a full bath at once, it is worth remembering that you should start with the baby’s face.
- Wash your eyes first, with cotton from the outside to the inside. A piece of cotton for each eye. Then wash the baby’s face with just water.
- The head can be washed in every bath, always with appropriate soap, from head to toe or baby shampoo. A primordial tip is to have an adapter for the bottles that will be used in the baths. Remember that you will have to hold the baby with one hand and squeezing is easier than turning the bottle over. This juggling can be facilitated with one of these glasses of liquid toilet soap.
- To support the baby safely, wrap your arm around the baby’s back and hold the armpit of the other arm. It is worth mentioning that the baby may cry a lot for fear of falling. He feels insecure with the absence of clothes. One of the proofs of this is that he must hold his hand, grab his clothes or any cloth, an object that is within his reach.
- Wash the baby’s neck, armpits, genitals and navel without fear . He won’t feel anything and will even enjoy the feeling. Don’t forget to turn the baby on its back. He will surely stop crying from crying. This position will give the baby security and is the part that he will like the most.
- After bathing, wrap the baby in a soft towel, preferably a diaper towel . Dry carefully and each fold. Dress the baby starting with the diaper and don’t forget to take care of the navel by adding 70% alcohol. Finish putting on the clothes, clean the ears and nostrils with a cotton swab. Then comb.
Ready! Your baby will be smelling good and ready for another feeding and nap. Remember that unforeseen events can happen! Baby pooping in the bath water, peeing on mommy, wetting pee clothes… Be calm to deal with these little surprises and know that in the near future you will laugh at all of this. Also avoid bathing the baby right after breastfeeding. This can cause reflux to happen, so better avoid it. Make the moment of the first bath, a pleasant climate and enjoy every second, because it passes very fast!
See also: Baby Navel Care – Changing Diapers on YouTube
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
