To not bath DS2

[LadyRochford]

DS2 is 5 days old and hasn't had a bath yet. He looks pretty clean to me. I remember bathing newborn DS2 being stressful because he hated it. Would I be unreasonable to just...not? How long would you leave it?

So long as you top and tail you don't need to stress you both out with a bath so early on. When you do bath him a good tip is to bath him wrapped in a towel, works a treat with my 8wk old, no tears!

I didn't bath DD properly for a couple of weeks, just wiped her face, bum, neck (it collected milk!) and umbilical stump every day with warm water. They don't really need a proper bath when brand new.

He might like it- my ds had his first at 6 days old I think and clearly loved it- really snuggled in the water. Still enjoys it now at 6 weeks so it is a nice part of the day, if it wasn't I would limit to when desperate and just 'top and tail' otherwise. But anyway, might be worth a try

I only gave my DC a bath once a week when they were newborn. Their first bath wasn't until their cord dropped off, as it dries up better if it doesn't get wet, so about 10 days old. Just wash him with cotton wool and water if he needs it.

And congratulations.

I wouldn't bother, give his.stump/cord a wipe, armpits and neck creases a wipe and he'll be fine.

Congratulations btw!

Same here we didn't bother with a proper bath for a couple of weeks.

Thanks everyone
Love that fact about keeping the cord dry. I am not being slummy I am following sensible medical advice

Top and tail - I don't think I did my DD until she was a month old, I was less nervous then :)

I would say do a top and tail. DS was in SCBU so a bit of a different scenario, but we would give him a dab down with some warm water and he was fine. He didn't have his first bath until almost 2 months old (and it was in hospital) and he absolutely loves his baths now, so it's not like he had any long-term fear of water after avoiding his first bath for so long

We were told not to bath my dd until her cord had dropped off. She was around 2 weeks when she had her first bath.

when you do get round to it (cord willing) he might enjoy it better in a bucket!! - I'm not joking, but being curled up and up to his neck in water can be more relaxing than you trying to straighten him out to go in a shallow baby bath.

A Midwife told me this - will see if I can find a link….

look at this
www.babybucket.com

Get a tummy tub ... DS loved baths in his. Hated being top and tailed or a normal bath but was happy as Larry in his tub.

I just took DD in the bath with me, I felt too clumsy and awkward trying to bath her in a baby bath and she wasn't keen.

I didn't bath my daughter for 4 weeks.
Water and a cloth is fine to keep them clean.

Every baby is different

Just because one of your babies didn't like baths, doesn't mean another won't.

My DS2 used to chill like I'd just slipped him a valium, while my DS1 used to act like he was being murdered

Several midwives told me not to give DD a full bath until the umbilical stump had fallen off. Top and tailing was fine.

She now loves the Summer Infant foldaway bath, which has an inflatable base and is quite cosy. Getting her out of the bath is another story.

That babybucket is so funny. I think I have a bucket I can try...

I was told not to until he was 2 weeks as the birth stuff is good for their skin. Also not meant to get cord wet.

DD didn't have a bath until she was 3 weeks old & then it was only because mil threatened to come and "show me how to do it" so I did it quickly before she had chance! She was born in the water so was squeaky clean and was just top and tailed for the first couple of weeks.

My DD had her first bath in hospital when she was 2 maybe 3 days old. She was very sick and had been covered in poo at least 3 times by then! I then started bathing her every 2/3 days as she loved it and I felt she needed a proper clean that often. Everyone and every baby is different I surpose!

YABU, give him a bath!. Oh and congratulations.

My second had his first bath as soon as his cord came off. I took him in with me, he absolutely loved it, chilled right out. He's nearly two now and still a complete water baby, he's at his happiest splashing around with his boat, trying to drink from the pouring cups...he even likes having his hair washed!

My first hated the bath from day one and it's still a boneof contention now at nine. Bribery is usually involved.

Ds had both his first 2 baths on day 2, first was in hospital before discharge, second was about 2 mins after we got home as he had done a massive poo, and as my milk was in and I had him plastered in vaseline he was covered down to his toes and up his back in sticky black poo, after that it was a case of top and tailed and bath when we had a pooplosion