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Babys first bath- 12 days old today
Tonight we are going to give baby his first bath. He has only been sponge bathing up until this point. My question is this.
1. His belly button (clamp is fell off a few days ago) is sort of bloody and scabby will it be a bad idea to get this wet?
2. His skin is very flaky and dry.... should I put on moisturizer after the bath? I have heard mixed opinions on this, so now I am just confused.
3. Did you shampoo babys hair during the first bath?
4. I have the bucket style bath tub, and my husband to help me. We also have a water temp. therm. Any other tips and/ or advice? I haven't given a baby a bath in 13 years 
.... so if I seem nervous, that is because I am! :0
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Re: Babys first bath- 12 days old today
Agreed. That's what our pedi said.
As a FTM, I watched YouTube videos about bathing newborns.
One showed a baby swaddled in a towel, while his hair was being washed. That's what we did with E.
Later, when he was older, we kept a warm wet washcloth on his tummy to help keep him from getting too cold.
I also bought this thermometer that we still use in his tub.
https://www.amazon.com/Turtlemeter-Baby-Floating-Turtle-Thermometer/dp/B003ZFPRHS
I waited a couple of days after the cord fell off to be sure it healed. DS hated baths at first and screamed the entire time, so now I take a bath with him and he is so calm and peaceful the whole time. Plus, its also nice bonding with him because I'll talk to him while I'm washing him and he just looks around and smiles.
I like having DH help. Babies are slippery when wet and I like having the extra set of hands. I give a lotion massage afterwards to keep his skin moisturized. I did wash his hair, but he's bald so I could've skipped it. I'd suggest getting everything you need together before so that its all there together. I also try to warm up his towel for a few minutes in the dryer so he stays warm when he gets out. Good luck!
After DDs cord fell off, she still had a tiny bit that was still juicy inside, but pedi said it was fine as long as the bellybutton isn't submerged. She screamed the WHOLE time with no relief until she was clothed and back in my arms in the rocking chair. But it's ok to let LO cry...he'd probably rather you hurry and get him out than waste time trying to console him. Lol. I also always washed DDs hair (she has a ton of hair)...even when we were sponge bathing. I just used a wet rag to rinse the shampoo out. DD also was still peeling when she got her first bath. It'll be fine whether you put lotion on LO or not, they'll still peel and it's normal. I did just because I love the smell lol.
Another thing...I personally hate those bath temp things. I had a rubber ducky one and when it finally said that the water was a good temperature...it felt so cold to me! I did use it the first bath and I just felt the water was TOO cool...haven't used it again since. DD seems to like the water pretty warm, she doesn't scream as much. I just use the inside of my wrist to test the water and when I think it's good for me, I'll turn the cold up just a tad bit more and it seems to be perfect for her.
Use non scented moisturizer
Use soap/shampoo once a week so it doesn't dry him out more
1. We never sponge bathed LO. She has been getting baths since her 1st one. As long as you dry her stump after, you should be good to go.
2. I have no advice on this.
3. We shampoo her hair everytime, but she gets bathed every 4-5 days. We use Burt's Bee baby shampoo/body wash.
4. We make it warmer than you would think it's supposed to be. She screams otherwise. Same thing when #1 was an infant.