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Parenting

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Original poster

Haven’t bathed my baby yet

42 replies

newmum234 · 10/05/2020 23:04

I’ve been very ill in hospital since the birth of my first child two weeks ago and have only recently returned home.

I’m worried as the baby has only been top and tailed twice so far since birth. Do I need to give them a bath ASAP and if so, how many do newborns need? Could I have caused any harm by not giving a bath yet?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Morningstar666 · 12/05/2020 11:33

No bath here for 30 days with either baby. And then only once per week until 6 months or so with minimal soap. Baby skin is very sensitive so less is more.

Like pp have said a wipe in areas where stuff can build up is all you need. For us it was underarms, neck folds, thigh creases and strangely behind the ears ☺

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 12/05/2020 11:40

Really dont worry - I think I first bathed my boy at about 2 weeks or so. Then stopped for a while and only top and tailed him for a few weeks because he screamed and screamed on being taken out of the bath. Only started doing it regularly again at 6 weeks.

I really think all the 'rules' that surround babies and newborns arent great for mothers mental health. I came home from hospital scared to do anything with my baby for fear of getting it wrong. As long as your baby is safe and healthy, its all good.

ScarfLadysBag · 12/05/2020 11:41

No bath here for the first month or so. All the advice we got from midwives and health visitor was that it was not only unnecessary but actually better not to. Top and tail is all they need at that age!

Just wait till you start weaning and baths become a daily necessity

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HappyAsASandboy · 12/05/2020 12:01

I have four children, and have waited a month before bathing any of them. The longer their skin has to just "be" the better, in my opinion.

I keep their nappy area and face/neck clean with water and cloth wipes in the meantime.

anotherwinkywinkybumbum · 12/05/2020 16:54

This time around, I was told not to bathe baby until belly button was healed fully. Different advice to what I was told 10 years ago mind you!

Original poster

newmum234 · 12/05/2020 18:24

This time around, I was told not to bathe baby until belly button was healed fully.

@anotherwinkywinkybumbum when you say healed fully, do you mean the brown bit has completely disappeared?

OP posts:

anotherwinkywinkybumbum · 12/05/2020 18:52

Yep, so once there is no more redness or sign of cord in belly button. Think she was around 4 or 5 weeks before she had a proper dunk.

Original poster

newmum234 · 12/05/2020 19:41

Thanks. So worried I’m failing her on the cleanliness front but am so tired. I must do a top and tail tonight at the very least

Is it best to do before or after feeding?

OP posts:

anotherwinkywinkybumbum · 12/05/2020 20:01

Of course you're not failing! Babies don't get dirty enough to NEED baths. Yes they can be nice for some but a good top and tail is just as good.

Now as for before or after feeding, that's a personal thing for the baby. My baby has reflux so needs to be still for quite some time after a feed. If your baby isn't so sensitive then it may not matter either way.

Don't sweat the small stuff, enjoy what you can with your new baby. Congratulations

Greenmarmalade · 12/05/2020 20:04

I like bathing mine daily, but with my twins I was too tired/unwell/busy feeding so I bathed weekly and top and tailed twice daily.

You haven’t done anything wrong, don’t worry.

Greenmarmalade · 12/05/2020 20:05

Maybe after a feed so your baby isn’t really frantic for milk straight after? Do a quick wash tonight (flannel will be fine!) so at least you’re not worried! It’ll be one less thing on your mind.

overtly · 12/05/2020 20:12

Yes after a feed if they don't fall asleep. Don't worry if it's very short lived either as some don't really appreciate bath time until much older

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 13/05/2020 10:05

How did you get on OP? I bath my baby in the evenings at very roughly the same time each day (hes 7 weeks old). That'll turn into part of a routine when he's much older, but for now it seems like a logical time to do it.

Original poster

newmum234 · 13/05/2020 19:16

This time around, I was told not to bathe baby until belly button was healed fully.

I spoke to the midwife today about this and she told me the same thing, so I’m going to hold off on the bath for a few days.

I did a quick top and tail this morning. I clean the bottom area with baby wipes every time I change the nappy, so that is done regularly.

OP posts:

bloodywhitecat · 13/05/2020 19:20

You are not failing her, it is much better for their skin at that age not to be bathed too much. A top and tail will be fine for a while yet.

Persipan · 14/05/2020 08:03

Honestly, my baby's baths are like 'dunk the baby in the water, yay, you had a bath!' and frankly I can't imagine they do much to keep him clean anyway! Really, don't worry.

Greenmarmalade · 17/05/2020 00:46

I hope you’re ok OP.

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