Bath aversion

beansideirae · October 2015

my DD is 4 weeks and she HATES her bath. we are still doing sponge baths because her belly button isn't quite healed. I try to go slow and act calm, and I make sure she stays warm. she screams like she's being murdered

anyone have any tips for making bath time less painful, or is this normal?

jenelisa85 · October 2015

My 4 weeks old baby girl is the exact same. I actually looked up how hot the water should be and its hotter than I would have expected: 38 degrees Celsius. I also use about 3 wash cloths and soak them and drape them over her body parts that I'm not washing at the moment and continue to soak and sponge as I go that way she doesn't get cold. Also do the head last! My girl has lots of hair so I just put a little extra shampoo and do it with my hands. That way the most heat doesn't escape the body first. I think they just hate being cold! We've gotten better with the crying by doing this

hope that helps!

beansideirae · October 2015

really? they told us at the hospital to start with the head (not sure why) so that's what we've been doing. maybe that's why she hates it! my girl has a lot of hair too.

ForeverEverAfter · October 2015

You can do a tub bath before the cord heals, it just needs to be dried thoroughly. Being submerged is usually enough to keep them calm and happy. I use a mesh sling seat in the big tub. If baby hates tub baths too, bathing with mom or dad might help. You could sponge bath baby that way too if you have help. Baby on your chest, legs in the water with a warm cloth over the back and have someone else take baby out.

aavila18 · October 2015

I do sponge bath since DS had his circumcision. I keep all his clothes on. I was also told to clean his head first by my hospital. Then dry his hair cause he has a full head of it. I'll then take off his clothes then m I'll put a beanie on him just for the shower if it's a hot day to lock in the heat. I cover his bottom half. Socks and diaper still on and wash his top half including neck. Then I dry it and cover his top half. Take his socks off and do his legs. I'll put a new pair of socks on and then go do his diaper area. Then I put his whole outfit on, swaddle him and we're done. He likes the security of my hand on him covering whatever section I'm doing so I do as much of it as I can one handed and actually very fast paced as I've done it enough to figure it out now for myself and him. He doesn't cry as much when he's fed but even if he isn't fed and I keep him covered he just squirms. They hate being cold, he loves baths when he's submerged. The screaming bloody murder nights still happen don't get me wrong. I just talk to him calm, let him cry because I try to just get it done quick then either way he's tired and clean so he normally falls asleep or is ready to eat and sleep for the night. I have gotten good at going numb when he cries at bath time because I remind myself why it happens and say that the sooner I finish even while keeping him as warm as possible during his baths it's temporary. I love him and I sing to him and occasionally that stops the screaming cause he tries to listen

monicaP · October 2015

My LO can't stand bath either. I gave her a bath in the sink on a towel cushion last night and she like it more, but definetly not our idea of a way to relax before bed.

visualcircus · October 2015

Our LO cried for every time for the first 3 weeks, but now he knows what to expect and is calmer. We put a warm washcloth on his chest so he stays warm, music is played, and we talk to him during the entire bath. I prep everything while DH gives him the bath, so the time in the bath to when he's dried off in his towel is very short- he spends hardly any time in the cold.

kanga915 · October 2015

beansideirae said:
really? they told us at the hospital to start with the head (not sure why) so that's what we've been doing. maybe that's why she hates it! my girl has a lot of hair too.

Yes you're supposed to go clean (head) to dirty (tush) when you wash them.

blondehairblueeyeditalianbaby · October 2015

I put DD in her bath tub every night. It took about a week- 2 weeks but now she loves it. She even kicks and plays around.

bnwillia3 · October 2015

I hopped in the bath with him so my body heat would keep him warm. We put a few inches of warm water in the tub and then put him on my chest - so he wouldn't be submerged. Then we used a few warm wet washcloths on his body to keep whatever side wasn't against me warm, too. Keeping him warm in this way stopped all the tears

Now that his umbilical cord is off, we do baths the same way - but just with more water! He loves it!!!

jen83mn · October 2015

My little guy hated sponge baths but now that he can sit in the water he loves them! Our baby bathtub has a little sling he lays in. We always keep a warm washcloth over his belly as we're washing the other parts to keep him warm. The only time he didn't like his bath was when I think the water was too cold. I make sure it's warm enough without being hot to the touch.

beansideirae · October 2015

my LO's cord came off early, it snagged on her clothes. her belly button is still bleeding whenever the scab comes off. so that's why I haven't wanted to submerge her yet.

Knottie23963119 · October 2015

I have read that swaddling them will help. You swaddle them and then only unwrap the part you are currently washing. My LO does ok in the bath so I haven't tried this technique yet. But if he starts fussing I'm going to try it.

AmandaNacora · October 2015

Idk why your hospital would say to start with her head, she'll lose the most heat from her head! But do start with the face and work down to her diaper area and use a second wash cloth (or your hand) for her hair. We always do her head last and do it quickly then pick her up and wrap her in her towel. Our girl doesn't mind her baths at all. She's in her tub and it's basically a sponge bath, we just rinse her with extra water. I always use pretty warm water and put a wash cloth over her body to keep her warm, and periodically use the other wash cloth to squeeze more warm water over her body. Even with a wash cloth over their body they wont stay warm for long, you have to keep putting more water over it otherwise the wash cloth will be cold.

LouLouLove · October 2015

In addition to what PPs have said, I bust out the space heater to make sure it's nice and warm in tge room.

lillaura4unme · October 2015

The first few baths he wasn't very happy about but now he enjoys them. I have a heavy baby so this bath we bought from Amazon is a lifesaver. I use little washcloths with warm water and soap and kind of squeeze it out over him. And I love the soft hooded towels we got from shower gifts.

jacksonsmomma11 · October 2015

My little man hated the sponge baths but loves an actual bath with mommy or daddy. He prefers it with me because I'll nurse him before I wash him. I dim the lights, make sure the room temp is almost too warm so when he gets out he won't be cold and I have dad throw his pajamas in the dryer for a few minutes so after the bath he's got something nice and snuggly and warm. I tried to use the baby bath tub but didn't feel like I had enough control over him, really.

buckleyk · October 2015

kanga915 said:

beansideirae said:
really? they told us at the hospital to start with the head (not sure why) so that's what we've been doing. maybe that's why she hates it! my girl has a lot of hair too.
Yes you're supposed to go clean (head) to dirty (tush) when you wash them.

I do head/ hair last too but use clean water and a clean wash cloth

Want a personalized experience?

Bath aversion

Re: Bath aversion

Choose Another Board

Search Boards