baby's first bath????

[Doublebubblebubble]

This I probably the wrong place.

My ds is 9 days old and so far I have just been topping and tailing him. (I feel really bad but I genuinely cannot remember when I gave my DD (6) her first bath)... Is 9 days old still a bit too little to be having a "proper" bath- I was just going to wash him in a washing up bowl bought specifically for him also what temp should the water be for him - I have read 37• on other forums but that seems a bit too hot, no?? HELP!!! X

[thinkfast]

I had a bath with my babies for the first few baths around that age - I think they find it scary alone but enjoy being snuggled up to mum or dad in the bath and once that are more used to it then bathe them alone

[comeagainforbigfudge]

That's what we used for DD when we brought her home.

(We also have a special baby shaped sponge to lie her on in the bath.)

As for temp. Elbow test. Too warm for you, too warm for baby. I don't have a bath thermometer.

Put cold water in first.

My wee one hated it at first but loves them now

[CultureSucksDownWords]

Are you supposed to wait till the umbilical stump has dropped off? I'm fairly certain that's what we were told. We didn't do a bath until 2 weeks plus, and we did it in a small baby bath on a large worktop surface (I couldn't bend down due to having had a c section).

[Doublebubblebubble]

think I'm sure that's what I did with my DD - but because I had an emergency section (and still cant bend properly) I dont feel safe doing that x

[Imnotaslimjim]

I took both of mine in the bath with me right from the start. Snuggled up on my chest, no bubbles until they were much older

[DontBuyANewMumCashmere]

I only gave pfb DD a bath at about 2 weeks as I was terrified I didn't know what I was doing! In retrospect it was far too cold and she screamed throughout it, since then our baths are anywhere between 37-38.5 and she loves them. Useful tip incase you forgot, put a warm flannel over their tummy to keep them warm and not too exposed.

[Doublebubblebubble]

Well in the end we just gave him a very very quick dunk in his washing up bowl. No bubbles. Because he's so big (10lb 1oz at birth - 9 days ago) we kinda sat on his bum - he did not enjoy. Cannot wait until he can support himself that little bit more. Me and dh Definitely felt out of our depths. We can bath a 6 year old no probs... Newborns apparently aren't so easy

[StylishDuck]

I recommend getting some kind of bath support to use in the big bath for him. If he's a big baby then a washing up bowl will get too small pretty quickly and it's much easier when you have both hands free!
I can't remember when we gave DD her first bath (which is pretty bad because she's only 8 months ) but it was definitely before she was a week old. She hated them at first but absolutely loves them now.