Guest Author - Adrienne Dumas

What could be more wonderful than to give your infant or older baby a bath? Or to gently massage your baby before he or she drifts off to sleep? Mothers need to be good examples for their children and this includes the way that they care for theirs and babies skin and hair. You can make bathtime, diaper-changing time and bedtime with your baby truly magical times while also keeping your baby’s gentle and sensitive skin healthy. Below are the basics for body care for babies.

1. Make bathtime magical

When your child is an infant it is best to use warm water only when bathing him or her. Soaps and bubble baths can dry babies skin and rob your babies skin of it’s natural oils. You can also occasionally use a natural, unperfumed bath oil for baby. When you are bathing your baby, if she or he is an infant, you will want to give him or her a sponge bath during the first two weeks. Use a cotton ball moistened with warm water to wash your baby’s face. Then use a soft washcloth to gently wash your babies body, beginning with the cleanest areas and moving to the dirtiest spots to avoid spreading germs. When you child is at least two weeks old you can gently shampoo his or her head with a tear-free shampoo and rinse. Wrap your baby in a soft towel and gently pat dry all areas of your baby’s body. As your baby gets older you can begin to use gentle baby bodywashes and when your child is a toddler you can add some more fun to bathtime with gentle bubble baths and toys.

To make bathtime more magical, try playing some gentle music in the background. This will keep your baby calm as you bathe him or her. Be sure to keep yourself calm while also alert so that your baby will feel calm and safe. You can make bathtime a part of your nighttime routine, giving baby a bath before giving him or her an infant massage, using a gentle lotion, right before he or she goes to sleep.

2. Create a loving diaper-changing routine

Instead of seeing diaper-changing as a chore, begin to see it as a more loving time between parent and child. In order to do this, always keep what you need for a diaper-change within reach. You will need diapers, a gentle rash ointment, petroleum jelly, cotton balls, washcloths, gentle baby wipes, a diaper pail or diaper genie, and a toy to keep your baby occupied. As you change him or her, which will become easier for you as baby gets older and you get used to it, gently sing to your baby or make funny noises. This will make it more pleasant for you and your baby. To help prevent diaper-rash, which happens to almost all babies on occasion, gently rub a diaper rash ointment or a petroleum jelly on your baby and be sure to change your baby often. Cloth diapers are softer and easier on your babies skin and opting to use water and a washcloth to wipe your baby instead of harsher baby wipes can also prevent diaper rash. If you do use baby wipes, use a gentler version and try using water and washcloths on occasion.

3. Begin a bedtime ritual for baby that includes infant massage

After giving your baby a bath, you may want to try infant massage right before bed (before nursing him or her). You will want to do this when your baby is at least two weeks old. There are many classes offered all over the country as well as books on infant and baby massage (see below for some infant and baby massage books from Amazon). You will want to use a gentle baby massage lotion or oil, such as Calendula oil from the company Waleda (see links below). This is a great way to help you and baby to relax and also to keep your baby’s skin gently hydrated. Begin with finding a comfortable and safe surface (such as a changing table or on a blanket on the floor) in a warm room. Play some soft music and dedicate at least ten to fifteen minutes to the massage. Gently begin massaging your baby using a very light touch and gradually increasing the pressure as you become more confident and the baby becomes more used to being massaged. Order the books below for more information on infant and baby massage.

4. Be a good example for baby – Take care of your self!

You cannot truly and lovingly take care of others if you are neglecting yourself. Having a child takes a lot of time and energy but it doesn’t have to take all of your time and energy. Mothers need to remember that when we take at least ½ an hour to one hour everyday for our own well-being, we can better help to care for our children while also being good examples of health and serenity for our children. Be sure to take some time each day for your emotional, physical, mental and spiritual health. This may include eating healthy meals, drinking plenty of water, taking your vitamin supplements, taking a warm bath while reading a good book for at least half an hour while your husband spends time with the baby, keeping a journal and taking time for prayer, meditation or yoga each day (at least 15 minutes a day – this can be done before or after your bath).