Bathing baby with a diaper is a real moment of happiness and relaxation for your little one. How to proceed and how often? Explanations.
The bath is a special moment between parents and their baby. The very first bath of the newborn, in the maternity hospital, is often a very emotional moment. Childcare auxiliaries take the opportunity to give mothers and / or dads all the tips to soothe the child during this moment of well-being. One of the tips is to bathe baby with a diaper.
The wrapped bath technique is often used for premature newborns and for those a little anxious, tense. However, it is suitable for all babies, as it helps to build confidence when bathing and relax. In general, wrapped baths are offered for toddlers up to 1 month / 1.5 months. As they grow they move more in the water and therefore no longer need swaddling.
The wrapped bath is perfectly illustrated in the new season of "Baby Boom", devoted to maternity hospitals in cities and fields. Broadcast from September 26 on TF1, the show will follow the work of midwives, childcare auxiliaries and gynecologists, supporting parents in this unique moment of the birth of their child. In particular, we were able to get a preview of the very first wrapped bath for two babies, supervised by two childcare assistants, Sonia Krief and Isabelle.
What are the benefits of the wrapped bath?
The diaper bath (another name given to the wrapped bath), helps soothe the child when he goes to take his bath. Being wrapped in a swaddle gives her a feeling of comfort. He feels like he's in a cocoon, like when he was in his mom's womb. "Since this is an environment they are just emerging from, they are bound to feel safe", says Sonia Krief, parenting expert. As seen in the show, babies often have a tendency to return to the fetal position during or after this moment of softness and calm.
In addition, the diaper helps not to rush the child when he enters the water. But also when it is undressed: babies don't like to be naked and be cold.
For parents, this special moment helps strengthen the bond and the feeling of attachment with baby. Even so often, they are amazed to see their cherub so peaceful in the water. "Immersion like this is really very special, at no time did I imagine that a baby could sleep in water and be rocked like that", says Catherine in Baby Boom. "We feel that the baby is relaxing, the parents are proud to give something that soothes their baby so it really is a magical moment", adds Isabelle, childcare assistant.
How to bathe swaddled baby?
During the baby's very first bath, you will be supervised by a childcare assistant. At home, all you have to do is reproduce his gestures, gently.
- Place a clean towel on your changing table or mat
- Place it over the diaper (also clean) in which baby will be swaddled
- Fold the diaper into a triangle shape to be able to swaddle baby more easily
- Run the bath water and then check its temperature. Be careful, it should not exceed 37 degrees or be below 36.5 degrees. You can check the temperature with a bath thermometer.
- Place baby on the changing mat then undress the
- If the child has soiled his diaper, be sure to clean it before bathing
- Swaddle your baby and then immerse him gently in water, while putting a hand behind his neck
- Rock it gently
- When baby is calm and safe, you can drop the diaper and wash it (with soaps suitable for babies)
- Then rinse your piece of cabbage before taking it out to dry it
Note that it is essential to check the temperature of the room before bathing your baby. Ideally, it should be 22 and 24 degrees. Windows should also be closed to prevent drafts.
To swaddle baby, you can opt for the classic version or for the “stork” version, as Isabelle shows, when little Lélio is bathing.
Regarding the baby's diaper, choose materials that respect the infant's skin, such as cotton gauze. Here are some perfect swaddling clothes for baby:
Pack of 2 swaddling swaddles in mustard color with dots, 100% cotton – Done by Deer, € 22.99
Set of 3 organic cotton muslin swaddles, mint color – Noukie’s, € 34.95
Pack of 3 unisex 100% cotton muslin swaddles – Little Jump, € 22.95
How often to bathe baby?
Baby's toilet is essential. But that doesn't necessarily mean he has to take a bath every day. In fact, during its first weeks of life, it gets very little dirty – apart from sweating and regurgitation. This is why you can bathe your baby every two or three days.
Be careful, you still have to wash your baby every day. You can clean his stomach (around the navel and especially the base of the umbilical cord), behind his ears, his neck, his hands etc with a cotton ball soaked in physiological serum. Regarding shampoo, one or two a week is enough.
Make sure you always have clean hands before going to the toilet of your little one!
Read also:
Free baby bathing: how to practice it safely?
3 tips to simplify baby's clothing