When to bathe 4 week old and cutting/filing nails

[MrsMaow]

My nearly 4-week old’s cord has finally fallen off and until now I’ve used that as a reason (excuse) not to give her a full bath and just been topping and tailing her. Now there’s no reason not to give her a bath I feel like I really should but I’m absolutely terrified and also don’t know when to do so.

She’s either sleeping, being fed and burped (takes at least an hour as burps are so difficult to get out of her and I try all the positions, tilting her back and forth etc), having her nappy changed or crying. Should I wake her up to bath her? That feels wrong as it’s sooooo hard to get her to sleep in the first place. And giving her a bath when she’s hungry or crying for some other reason (which I may or may not be able to work out) feels wrong too.

I’m also sure she’ll poop while I’m doing it, she rarely has dirty nappies as she usually does her poops on my hand when I’m changing her nappy, it’s just what happens. I’m not expecting anyone to help with that, just sharing.

Also her nails are getting really scratchy and I’m again terrified of cutting them but I really need to as I can’t keep her hands covered up all the time to stop her scratching her face. Ive got baby nail clippers that I could use but can I just use a normal nail file on them instead? They’re not long enough to nibble off.

Would it be ridiculous to ask HV to come and watch me try to bathe her and cut her nails so she can correct me?

TIA for any help

I first bathed my DD a few days after her cord fell off. My HV advised to choose a time where she has been fed and is awake and alert. I found it helpful to have my partner there even if he didn't actually do anything - just his presence was reassuring! If you're worried about her soiling in the water, perhaps wait a few minutes with her nappy open before you lower her in? My DD was an ill-timed pee-er so I know what that's like!

With regards to nails, I filed for a few months until her hands started to uncurl more often than not and then started to clip.

I agree about waiting until awake and alert to bathe. In a couple of weeks she will be awake longer and it'll be easier to find time. In the mean time it's not a problem to carry on top and tailing, it's not like babies get dirty! DDs 16 months and only gets bathed every couple of days, she just has a thorough cleaning down in between.

As for the nails, wait until she's been asleep for 20/25 minutes (so in a deep sleep) and you should be able to cut them fairly easily.

We bathed our DS from day 2 even with the cord on (just didn't get it wet). I guess that's always been a thing bath at 6pm and PJs on....made me feel like I had a routine (I didn't 😂) anyway do what's right for you but agree with awake and alert.
As for nails I'd also do when asleep, I managed to cut the skin on my DS thumb when he was 6 weeks old, poor little man didn't bat an eye lid.

Just wanted to mention winding, my DS was terrible at being burped until a friend told us to sit him on our lap, hand under chin and sort of rotate his torso gentley.....worked absolute wonders! Good luck OP

Cut nails while she is asleep. I found nail scissors a lot easier than the clippers.

For first bath call in support - make it a two person job.