Bathing your baby

In India, a new mother and her baby are given massages by an elderly dai for the first 45 days, excluding the first 10-15 days. It is said to have various benefits. But, some do not recommend getting such massages done due to the force used by these dais while massaging the mother's abdomen or the baby, whose joints could get affected.

I was apprehensive about the dai that my mother had arranged for me, and I had agreed only because said dai was a newly retired nurse who had been offering similar services to the bed- ridden stroke patients and new mums around the area.

Once I met her, however, I decided to give it a try. She was firm but gentle with my baby and me. I guess, for me it was more about pampering myself. For my baby, it was a different matter- she was so good with the little baby, I doubt I would have handled the baby as well as she did in those first few weeks. We got the massages only for 2 weeks, as I had to return to my marital home after that.

But I learnt from her, the art of massaging and bathing a baby. And of course, reading up from The Baby Book (by the Sears doctors) as well as counting upon my own experiences while massaging and bathing my own baby, I will describe how I massage and bath my baby.

So, once I was settled into my home in Gujarat, I decided to take care of bath time with my baby by myself. It is great for mother baby bonding time, and it gave me confidence too- as a mum.

Initially I had to see to it that there was someone in the house in that duration, so I could call for help if needed. I didn't though. I could manage on my own. Other than asking for a towel or to ask someone to switch off the geyser etc. Which if you plan properly can be done by you.

Today I bath my baby anytime I want, without needing anyone else. But I still see to it that the maid is around or my neighbour is in her house. Just in case.

Remember to watch out for new rashes or spots or anything new on your baby's skin, any lumps on your baby's scalp or body.

So here's how I go about bath time!

• You'll need
• Lukewarm water- 1 bucket
• A mug
• 2 fluffy towels (I alternate between the towels) to lay on the floor or in the tub/sink
• 1 plastic mat
• Baby massage oil
• Baby shampoo
• Baby -top to toe wash/ baby body wash/ baby soap
• 1 large baby towel, 1 small hand towel
• Changing area to dress your child - diaper and all
• A change of clothes
• Remember:
• See to it that the baby has been fed before a bath, but not immediately before- I leave a gap of around 20 mins between a feed and the bath
• It would be preferable to have someone to call if you need help
• Be careful when you stand up with the baby to step into or out of the bathroom
• Location:
• Bathroom floor
• Area beside the kitchen sink
• Inside the kitchen/ wash area sink - if the sink is large and stable enough, place the fluffy towel in the sink, so that there is no slipping and no injury if baby accidentally hits her head or a joint on the sink
• In a bath tub

I usually give my baby a bath in the bathroom- on the floor. This can be done anywhere- even in an open space or a sunny open area

• Steps:

MASSAGE:

• Lay a folded fluffy towel on the floor
• Place the plastic mat in the middle of the towel
• Switch on the geyser (to prepare a bucket of hot water for the bath, meanwhile you can massage the baby)
• Lay the baby down gently on her back (remove and toss the cloth and soiled diaper outside- you don't want to create a mess with the cloth becoming wet once you wash the baby)
• Rub your hands together and warm them, take a small amount of baby massage oil and start massaging- I begin with her head and apply just a bit on her face followed by generously applying it and massaging her hands and legs. Proceed to the chest and belly. Be careful of the folds on the thighs and the genitals
• Flip the baby carefully (slippery little cuties) on her belly and see to it that her nose is free. Massage the head (be very gentle), then rub the back and bum and the backs of the legs. Massage the shoulders and the neck carefully.
• BE GENTLE. BE AS GENTLE AS POSSIBLE. While massaging as well as while handling the baby

BATH:

• By now, the water is ready. Check the water temperature and see to it that the water is not too hot or too cold.
• Pour some water on the baby and begin the bath
• I use a top to toe wash during the winters as it is faster
• As the baby is on its belly- apply shampoo (if you're using it) on the head first- as the entire head is accessible in the belly up position
• Next apply the body wash over the back, carefully washing behind the ears, the neck folds, the bum and between the toes
• Be very careful as you flip over the baby on its back (extra slippery due to the soap) and support the baby's head and neck with your palm as you flip the baby
• The face does not need soap, although you can wash the face if you so wish
• This is when I make horns with my baby's hair which has shampoo in it!
• Apply the body wash/ soap in the neck folds, under the arms, between the fingers (which are always in my baby's mouth these days), folds under the belly, belly button, genitals, and the thigh folds (which will increase as your baby becomes chubby)
• Special care needs to be taken in case of healing wounds (in circumcised babies or babies that underwent surgery)
• Once you are done with applying the body wash/soap, hold the back of your baby's neck or upper back with one hand, while the baby's bum rests on the mat (to prevent water going into the baby's nose and mouth) and wash off the soap, gently rubbing so that no soap is left. You can pour the water over your hand as you rub the baby instead of directly pouring it over the baby
• Wash the face by taking water in your cupped hand- as one would wash their own face
• Flip the baby over once again and wash off the back of the head, the back, the bum and the backs of the legs
• Wash off any remaining soap
• My baby makes a very funny face if I pour water over her face- watery eyes, tongue sticking out. Pretty sure she doesn't like it though!
• Place the baby towel in your lap and then lay the baby on its back, upon the towel. Using the same towel and a smaller spare one dry the hair and face first, then dry the rest of the baby, again keeping in mind the folds
• Bring the baby to a dry area where fresh clothes and a diaper change is ready
• Put on the diaper first (if you are using one at the time) followed by the clothes. Technically babies do not need talcum powder. I apply baby cream/ moisturizer during the winter- a bonus massage!

 I bath my baby once in 2 days (and every time she poops- which she does once in 5-8 days for now). The days she doesn't get a bath, my baby gets a nice warm sponging:)

I hope you look forward to bath time with your baby!