BEABA

• How should I bath my baby?

  Paediatricians advise giving baby a daily bath. As infants cool down very quickly, the bathwater temperature should be 35-37° C and the room temperature 22-25° C. How long the bath should last? The baby should not be left in the water too long (generally 5 minutes is long enough). When running the bath it is preferable to run the hot water before adding cold water (that cuts down the risk of scalding and burns). In any case, you should use a bath thermometer to check the temperature of the water. Check that all the toiletries and bath accessories are close enough to reach before you put your baby in the water, so that you can keep a permanent watch on the child and then tell yourself that you are there for baby and nobody else. Bathing can commence by putting the child in the bath support and gradually wetting baby’s arms and legs to make the contact of water with the skin more acceptable. Once the bath is over, wrap the baby in a large bath towel or a hooded dressing gown and carefully dry by gently tapping baby to avoid irritating the skin. Lastly you can massage baby with an oil recommended by the paediatrician.

• Why should teething rings be used?

  Teething is a difficult time for both babies and their parents. To give them the best help, teething rings will relieve gum pain. The silicone brush used with the paediatrician’s gel and regular massage, will stimulate teething.

• Why should the bath accessories be gathered around you for bath time?

  Accidents happen in a flash!!! All it takes is a second of inattention as you turn around to pick up a jar of crème or some other item to take the infant out of parental supervision. Make sure that everything is to hand before you start bathing your baby.