Bathing is one of the favorite activities of most kids. To make it both enjoyable and useful, parents should follow certain rules. One of the key points is the temperature of the water for bathing newborns. It should be such that the child is not burned, but at the same time and such that he did not have time to freeze during the bathing procedure. Let's find out what should be the optimal temperature for bathing an infant, and what requirements are imposed on the water as a whole.
What should be the water for bathing the baby?
1. In order to expiate a newborn, it is necessary to prepare the boiled water in advance. Boil it will need only the first time, until the umbilical wound on the baby's body heals. Then you can use ordinary running water if your child does not have allergies to it. So, most of the hot boiled water should be poured into the tub to cool it. It is advisable to do this a few hours before bathing. Then, just before bathing, boil some more water. Gradually add it to the bath, stirring with your hand until the water becomes warm enough. Before putting the baby in the tub, be sure to check the water temperature: it should not be too hot or too cold.
2. The water temperature can be determined in several ways:
- using a special thermometer for water, which are sold in pharmacies (there are also baths with built-in thermometers);
- hand or elbow (this is a proven "grandmother's" method, which is already used by experienced parents).
3. The temperature for bathing newborns, especially if it occurs for the first time, should be about 37 ° C, that is, slightly warmer than body temperature. The child should be pleased to be in the water. Usually, newborn babies still remember how warm and cozy it was in my mother's tummy, where the water also splashed, and perfectly tolerate bathing.
The question, at what temperature to bathe a newborn, is closely related to the concept of hardening. Already in a couple of weeks after the first bath, the degree of water can begin to decrease, so that the crumb got used to cooler water. Do this gradually, reducing the temperature of the water for a newborn every day for half a degree. However, if you see that the baby is getting cold, it is better to carefully pour warm water into the tub.
4. That the kid has not frozen, bathing should not last too long. Ideally - from 5 to 15 minutes (or until the water cools). But, of course, there are exceptions to any rule. Some babies love to swim so much,
5. Separately, it should be said about the temperature of the air when bathing a newborn. This is also a very important point that must be taken into account. There are no uniform norms for this indicator, but try to avoid a big difference in the temperatures of water and air. Do not heat the bathroom very much before bathing the baby. It is best not to close the bathroom door so that there is no temperature difference, otherwise the toddler may not like the cool air of the room after the warm bath, and he will be capricious.
Now you know what should be the optimal water temperature for bathing newborns. In fact, only a week is enough to learn how to bathe a small child. Be always sure of your actions, and do not be lazy once again to check the temperature of the water for bathing your newborn baby.