Young people who are preparing to become parents for the first time are usually always concerned about what a child needs in the first months of life. In addition to a stroller and a crib, a baby bath for bathing should be a must. After all, a newborn child needs daily water procedures. Like most baby products on the market today, bathtubs have some differences that you need to be aware of before making a purchase.
Does a newborn baby need a bath?
Many mothers ask themselves the question: "Is a bathtub necessary for bathing newborns, or can you get by with a regular bath?" The child, of course, needs an individual bath. Parents can do without it, but it will be much more difficult for them while bathing their child.
Can a baby be bathed in a shared bathroom?
Each mother decides for herself how it will be convenient for her to take care of the baby. You can read the recommendations, but your own opinion is formed in the process of practical skills. Bathing a baby in a shared bath is not contraindicated. The problem may be that treating a shared bath before bathing (of course!) Is much more difficult. And also, if the house has problems with water supply, then it will be difficult to collect a large amount of water.
But swimming in a shared bath also has many advantages. There is much more space for swimming, the baby can push off the sides, make active movements with the arms and legs.
All the advantages of a “private” bath for your baby
Baby's “own” bathtub is easier to wash and keep clean. While bathing, it is more convenient for parents to hold the child and observe him in an individual bath. It is recommended to bathe newborns with an unhealed umbilical wound in boiled water. It will be much faster and easier to fill a small bath with such water.
These recommendations are controversial today, but it is better to observe preventive measures, since the quality of tap water at the present time often does not meet the standards. If the baby has inflammatory elements on the skin, then it will be easier to prepare the correct treatment solution in an individual bath than in a common bath.
Preparing the bath for the first bath
First of all, before you start swimming, you need to choose a room where this procedure will be performed. The room must be warm (at least 21 degrees), the vents must be closed. A baby bath can be placed in any room convenient for parents.
It is recommended to immediately prepare a clean towel intended for the baby. Today there are very comfortable towels with a special pocket for the head of the child. A child should not be hungry before bathing, and it is also not recommended to start water procedures immediately after eating. The evening is ideal for swimming.
Before the procedure, it is important to thoroughly wash the baby bath or general bath with special baby detergents. You should not use potent drugs that can cause allergic reactions in a child.
Water temperature should be measured with a water thermometer, it should be about 37 degrees.
The baby should be lowered into the water gradually so as not to frighten the baby. The duration of the first bathing should be 5 - 7 minutes, then the duration of water procedures is gradually increasing. It is not recommended to use baby gels and shampoos every day, as they wash away the protective water-lipid layer of the skin. The detergent can be used no more than once a week.
Where to buy and what to look for when buying?
A bathtub is sold in any children's store. A large selection of baths is presented in specialized hypermarkets for children. There are a great many varieties of products and it is up to parents to decide which bath to buy.
But you should always pay attention to the safety and environmental friendliness of the material from which the bath is made. Also, the material should be dense and smooth in order to work well. It is recommended to choose a tray with a stable base or with a built-in rubber, non-slip mat. The product must have a drain hole. Such a device will greatly facilitate the bathing process, because you do not need to tilt the water bath to drain the water.
It is important to pay attention to the size of the fixture. It is better to take a bath that is suitable from the first days of life to six months. Size should be carefully assessed to ensure that the tub fits into the shared bathroom.
Variety of models of baths for bathing newborns
There are a large number of different models on the modern market. There are baths with a built-in thermometer, slide and even scales. Everyone chooses for himself a model that will be convenient to use.
There are several options that can be found in the store.
Baths for babies
Plain plastic
This classic version of the bath is the most popular among moms. Like all accessories, this bath has its pros and cons. It is made of safe plastic that is easy to clean and process. There are many places in it, and it can suit a child up to 3 years old.
But, as for newborns, one person cannot cope with a baby in such a bath. I definitely need help. Or you can buy a special slide that attaches to the bottom of the tub. You can put a child on such a device, and he will be in a semi-horizontal position. The anatomical slide can be removed when the baby grows up and can sit in the bath on its own.
Slides also have various modifications and cost around 1000 rubles. A classic bath without special devices will cost parents 500 - 600 rubles.
Anatomical bath
This option combines a conventional bath and a built-in slide. This type of bath is suitable for those parents who, due to certain circumstances, are forced to cope with the baby alone. The built-in anatomical slide has special indentations for the baby's comfort, as well as a support for the legs. There is no need to support the baby in such a bath.
But this option is suitable for children under 6 months of age. As the baby grows up, the tub becomes cramped and small. And parents should transfer him to swim either in another baby bath, or in a shared bathroom.
The cost of such a product also depends on the available accessories and ranges from 2,000 to 4,500 rubles.
Tray with stand
For a more comfortable bathing time, special accessories have also been created for the mother. Such additions include special stands.
They can be floor-standing, that is, the bath can be installed on the floor and the mother will not need to bend over to the baby and hold it in her arms while bathing. Or the stand can be attached directly to the shared bath. This option also does not allow the mother to be in a bent state for a long time.
The price of a bath with a stand is from 1000 to 3000 rubles.
Antibacterial bath
The peculiarity of such baths lies in the material of the product, which has an antibacterial effect and does not allow pathogens to multiply. You do not need to wash such a bath, just rinse it. Additional accessories such as built-in thermometer or scales may be included with the product.
This option is recommended for children suffering from allergic diseases, manifested by skin lesions. The cost of antibacterial baths ranges from 1000 and more.
Inflatable bath
This type of bath also has its advantages and disadvantages. Bright, colorful trays are easy to use. They can have built-in soft slides that are very comfortable for babies. Unlike plastic baths, a soft inflatable product is often enjoyed by children and their parents.
You can also take an inflatable bath with you on a trip. Such a device takes up very little space. But at the same time, such a bath is difficult to wash. Bacteria can grow in the folds, especially if decoctions of herbs were used when bathing.
The price ranges from 500 to 2000 rubles.
Foldable bath
Also ideal for small apartments and travel. But still, a folding bath, unlike an inflatable one, takes up more space, since only the bottom is folded. The indisputable advantage is that the bath can be modified.
That is, during the newborn period, during bathing, the mother can raise the back of the bath so that the baby lies in a semi-horizontal position. And with the age of the child, the back can be lowered, then the bath will take on standard sizes and shapes.
The downside is that the seams of the bath are difficult to process and bacteria can grow there. It is also important to check the strength and stability of the bath, as any mechanism can fail. The cost of a folding bath varies from 1,500 to 3,000 thousand.
Bath "mother's tummy"
This option is designed for newborns from the first days of life. It is a deep bucket. The bottom line is that the baby in the bath takes the position of the embryo and feels like in the womb. But this position is not physiological, since the child, roughly speaking, sits in the bath on the buttocks. This bath is easy to carry and install in the shower stall.
The price is approximately 1,500 rubles.
Bath accessories and toys
For greater convenience while bathing, today there are various accessories.
- These include special hammock, which is attached to the edges of the bath and provides physiological comfort to the newborn during bathing.
- Exists various shapes and mattresses to keep the baby in the bath. Such assistants greatly facilitate the bathing process for parents.
- One of the most popular accessories is circle for swimming... Such an inflatable ring is attached to the child's neck, thereby preventing the child from swallowing water. On the lower surface of the circle there are handles that the baby can hold onto. This accessory is ideal for bathing in a shared bath.
- An irreplaceable thing is anti-slip mat, which has suction cups, with the help of which it is fixed at the bottom of the bath and does not allow the already grown baby to fall if he tries to get up. The mat is made of rubber, so it should be thoroughly washed and dried after each use.
- Children over 8 months old who are swimming in a shared bath can sit in special chairs fixed on the bottom of the bath... It is very convenient to wash the baby's seat in this.
- Also a very convenient accessory is bathing shade... It is fixed on the baby's head and is ideal for those children who do not like to wash their hair. Indeed, with such a visor, soap and water do not get into the eyes.
- Babies love to play while bathing. Therefore, parents should purchase special rubber toysthat can be used during water procedures.
All accessories and toys are recommended to be thoroughly washed and dried after bathing.
Conclusion
A newborn bath is one of the most important purchases before a baby is born. After all, bathing in an individual baby bath is much more convenient than in a general one. Also today there are a large number of different accessories that facilitate the bathing process for parents.
Which bath to buy and which to use is up to the mother, who will take care of the baby. But the choice must be approached with great responsibility, because you will have to use this device every day.
