This is how to bathe a newborn baby in NigeriaHandle the baby like shown in the picture to prevent soapy and slippery baby from slipping off your grip. Your left hand must grab the baby’s left hand from the armpit and remain there until washing is done. The right-hand does all the soaping and pouring of water. Even if bathing the baby in a kitchen sink, grab armpit plus arm with the left hand and do not release that grip. |
STEPS ON HOW TO BATHE A NEWBORN BABY
How to give a bath to a newborn baby in Nigeria may not be too different from how it’s done in other parts of the world. It’s basically washing the newborn baby’s skin with gentle soap and clean water in a more careful way. The steps below are just the way I gave a bath to all my five kids when they were babies.
COMPLETE BABY BATHING STEPS IN NIGERIA:
- Get a low stool to sit on. The bed in the baby’s room is low enough reason I didn’t use the stool. If you prefer to stand while giving the bath, then place items on the dining table. I won’t advise Nigerian moms to bathe babies in the kitchen sink cos we cook with a lot of pepper, palm oil, and all.
- Ensure the room is well lit, close doors and windows to keep the room temperature warm. Here is still arranging baby bath items. Arrange baby wears, towels… large and small, sponge and baby soap, diapers, combs, cream or oil, baby shampoo, hair cream, Dettol, cotton buds, a bucket of warm water, hot water flask, cotton wool, methylated spirit and other items you’ll need, vaseline or shea butter or whichever you use. I started with shea butter but changed to vaseline after we got admitted for jaundice.
- Check to see that everything is at arm’s length if your baby is the type that cries hunger while bathing, try to breastfeed before undressing.
- Place the big towel on your thighs cos this is where the baby will be put immediately after the bath.
AFTER ARRANGING BABY ITEMS FOR BATH, WHAT NEXT?
- Undress the baby, grab as shown in the first picture, and proceed with giving the bath.
- I start with shampooing hair, then wiping the face with a face towel, soaping the neck, armpits, and whole-body then finally washing with clean water from the bucket.
- For the cord, I just make the remaining bath water a bit warmer, soak a clean face towel in there a hold above the navel while the warm water pours in there or I use the scoop. A few times though, I put both legs across the baby bathtub, still grabbing baby as shown, I place on my thighs while pouring the water on the navel. After this, wiping with methylated spirit and clean cotton wool is mandatory.
- Sometimes though, I start with washing his legs and end with shampooing hair before the navel.
MORE STEPS
- Baby’s genitals do not need any special douching and scrubbing please, for a baby girl, just gently wipe with the bath face towel and that’s all.
- All those massages may not be necessary cos the baby’s body is still forming and growing and will definitely take shape as the baby grows older. Nigerian mothers, please let’s stop all those painful massages while bathing our babies, we can’t change the shape and stature.
- When satisfied, remove the baby from bathwater and place on the towel you had spread over your thighs and immediately start wiping water off with a towel.
- Cream or put oil on the tender baby’s skin ASAP so you put an underwear on before completing the processes of wiping ears, navel, and wearing diapers. New babies catch cold easily reason I proceed to cover the chest with at least underwear before completing the baby bathing process.
- Clean navel very well with your cotton wool and spirit before wearing diapers.
- Oil baby’s hair with a little oil if you like.
AFTER OILING BABY’S SKIN WHAT NEXT?
- Comb the hair with an appropriate comb, if your baby is very hairy like my boy, use an afro comb specially kept for baby’s hair. If the baby begins to cry while combing then check the size of that comb.
- Complete the dressing and by this time baby should be sleeping.
- You can now relax and put the sleeping baby to rest. See BEST BABY SOAP TO USE IN NIGERIA.
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| Arrange baby bath items, everything you’ll need before undressing the baby. This pic should have come first. My camera is giving a wrong date o, no mind am. maybe the date of manufacture, I don’t know but just turned it off since I can’t set it right abeg.
Well, this is how I bathe my babies. Different mothers may have different methods.
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DEDICATION TO NEW MOMS:
This post is dedicated to our readers and first-time moms from Nigeria. Or those living in Nigeria who have no mother or mother in law to come to do the “omugwo” (Care given to new moms and babies soon after delivery until the baby is about three months old) job after baby is born.
I have seen new moms making arrangements with friends and church members here in Nigeria and even elderly neighbors to help with bathing the baby and truth of the matter is that most times when other people bathe our babies, we are not really impressed;
It’s either we think the bathwater is too hot or not hot enough, the massage is too vigorous for a tender baby, too much powder on baby’s skin, not enough cream, bathing took too long thereby exposing the baby to cold and I can go on and on and on.
DEALING WITH NIGERIAN BABY BATHERS
What if you learned to bathe your baby yourself and do just what you want cos honestly some baby bathers can be stubborn imposing their methods on you and YOUR baby while ignoring your concerns.
Check out wives connection list of 10 must have baby items for new mothers.
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| My items for giving a baby bath. The bath thermometer reads the water temperature. 36 or 37 degrees centigrade is fine for my baby. You can also pour some water on your wrist to test hotness. |
CONCLUSION:
Bathing a newborn is a major challenge to most new moms not only first-timers. A newborn is so tender that you’ll think any movement can break her bones.
The baby was up to two months when it occurred to me that first-time moms will need this lecture. I will write down the steps here for us.
Mothers, please share your own baby bathing tips with us.
That’s how steps for how to give a bath to a newborn baby.
Mothers, Any questions? Ask now that I still have a baby to ‘experiment’ with and give us
genuine answers:)
Also read our post on HOW TO CARE FOR BABY SKIN IN NIGERIA If you would like to introduce your baby to pap later, see our easy steps on how to make your homemade pap from scratch.
Bookmarked! Thank you.
Nice
Nice one
I feel more comfortable putting my leg across the babies bath tub sitting on a small stool putting the baby on my laps and getting every thing ready.
If is a girl,use the thumb of ur finger and collect vaseline(without perfume)and massage her clitoris for it to go down and always rub vaseline round the unblical cord after cleaning with spirit.
thanks for the post, I was wondering if you can do one on pregnancy? I have a child and pregnant for the second but people come with all sorts of stories ans superstitions that I don't really know what to say anymore
Aunty Eya thanks 4 this post. My mum dislocated her hand and I'm almost due. I've bin wondering how I'm going to bath baby. Mrs M
Aunty Eya thanks 4 this post. My mum dislocated her hand and I'm almost due. I've bin wondering how I'm going to bath baby. Mrs M
Aunty Eya I'm a ftm and I've checked the 10 items but how many of them do I need? Like the onsies and blankets socks, caps, mittens,and all. Pls let me know cos I don't really want to spend too much money buying stuff baby might not even wear b4 out growing them. Thanks Mrs M
Thx for dis post. Having my 2nd baby soon nd i jus moved to d states, been racking my head hard on aw to bath a new born as both granma r nt near. Dis definetely goes a long way for me . God bless u
Hi guys. Sorry to deviate. But I'm looking for a very good salon in Ibadan. Please if you know any, kindly drop the name and address. Thanks
Hi anon 2:43am I knw of sm1 in ibadan who does hair well,07064280666 Biola she fixes well…
Nice post aunty Eya. I always find it easier standing to bath my babies. So I use a foldable baby bath stand in front of the bathroom sink. Then i place the box of baby toiletries in the sink.
Madam Able Mom, which one be massage clitoris? To go down to where? Naija mums I hail una!
Honestly me I don't understand the massaging of clitoris. Even the thought of it its ridiculous. I'm sure her great grandmother taught her these outdated methods. Please don't injure your daughter please.
@Able Mom, please leave your baby's clitoris alone oooo, it's perfect the way nature made it:)
The way some of us Nigerian moms massage babiesn during bath is the reason they cry and scream and we think it's normal? Babies should enjoy their baths and even play while bathing and not scream.
You know I feel sorry for some babies cos they cry loudest while having a bath and when you ask mom, she tells you " oh we were giving her her morning bath".
If water temperature is OK, bath is gentle, most babies won't cry at all.
I hear some grandmas actually bend, flex and squeeze joints while giving baby a bath. I won't allow that. What is wrong with baby's joints? Joints need no massage as baby is still growing and changing. Some massage the head. Truth is that the head changed shapoe to let baby pass through the birth canal and will definitely adjust itself. For some babies it takes longer to adjust but doesn't require any massage o.
Well that's me sha.
Babies don't cry when I bathe them maybe because I don't massage. For babies three months up, we even play along while enjoying the bath.
Thank you too for bookmarking(:
Thank you Brownsugar
Thanks Lamda
Yes Able mom, I place my feet across the bathtub too sometimes, especially when baby is still very very tender. I sit on one low stool, place another stool across where my ankles can rest. After the first few weeks or when the cord drops, I start putting baby inside the bath.
Ok, is it on superstitions surrounding pregnancy?
@Mrs M, sorry about your Mom's hand, she'll be fine Ok?
We thank God for making it possible. If you have any questions you can ask.
You need all BUT the quantity, just buy very few of every item for now. When baby arrives, you'll know what you need most, the quatity you need to increase, the sizes to upgrade or degrade to.
If you have someone that can help do shopping or deliver for you, then don't worry cos immediately after birth you can send for more or get them delivered.
I didn't bother buying much while pregnant o. As soon as we got home from the hospital, I called the baby items seller who came immediately with her mobile shop where I picked everything I needed. If your seller does home delivery and if you shop from one person, she'll take back everything you don't need and replace with the ones you now need. I don't know if all sellers do that.
thank ma for this post. I am a first time mom in my 8 months this will sure help me. but ma u said u stopped using Shea butter cos of jaundice? does shea butter causes that? and also is it true Shea butter darkens baby skin? and also what brand of good baby oil will u advice 4 us? thanks.
pls madam does Shea butter causes jaundice in babies?
Thank you Moncherie. I'ts something you can comfortably do. My mother arrived after three days. I did all the cleaning and bathing of my first girl for the first three days.
@ Lizzy, standing to bathe sounds good. You don't have to keep long hair in place with a hair net like when you sit.
Thanks Anon dear, yes I stopped using sheabutter when the Doctor advised we stop using anything that contains camphor and I don't know much about sheabutter so… better to err on the side of caution. I don't think it darkens babies but it might not make them as fair as some lotions do.
If you are not sure, use your baby oil na. I use unscented vaseline, lolz. All genuine baby products are ok even though sometimes you have to change like two trhree times to get what suit your baby's skin. Problem is when you unknowingly buy fake or adulterated products.
No it doesn't. I stopped cos I didn't really know what to do when Doctor said 'DON'T USE MENTHOLATUM OR ANY CAMPHOR CONTAINING PRODUCT ON NEWBORN BABY BOYS, LOL
Vaseline is good on my baby's skin. I'm going to upload a recent photo of me and him taken just four days ago. Uploading it to this post now.
Hmm,as in eeh u people don't know u help the cli go down,anyways I guess some babys own is always down but some are not,I do press mine down gently if u will not misunderstand me,do u people know that some girls don't wear pant cos when they do their Cli will be touching it,I know one who is passing through it when I was a student but if they don't tell u _ u will not know.
Aunty Eya I've washed all the things I bought so refunding them won't be possible. They say it's advisable to wash baby clothes b4 wearing them. Mrs M
thank u very much ma. may God bless your family.I was going for Johnson baby products, just wanted your experienced advice.
Couldn't upload here. It's posted as a blog post: Re: Photos, my baby's sheabutter/Vaseline skin.
Ok
Re: Photos
, Bathing A Baby, My Baby's Sheabutter/Vaseline Skin.
Great post. Eya what's the dettol for? Cos I don't use it.
I add a few drops to his bath water.
Eya , I like this bath tub, looks like it has singing buttons to soothe baby while bathing. What's the make please cause I'm planning to get my baby items this weekend.
Aunty eya pls I use sher butter on ma baby's skin (ori as igbos call it) and his glowing and I also use baby metholiton under his cold feet and sides Buh little qty,pls is anything wrong wit dat?
Aunty eya pls I use sher butter on ma baby's skin (ori as igbos call it) and his glowing and I also use baby metholiton under his cold feet and sides Buh little qty,pls is anything wrong wit dat?
It's advised here abroad not to use any methylated ointment on newborns or any cream that has camphor. Camphor is dangerous to babies that are g6pd deficient. It leads to hemolytic anaemia that causes jaundice when excess red blood cells are destroyed.
Madam I dnt agree wif u. Dnt massage ur babies head and it wil. Av ogor.
Where I live d doctors and nurses do not advice d use of dettol on babies. ..Eya read d label nxt time before u use it on ur baby and thank me later
Ok, thanks, it's Disney.
I used to apply mentholatum too on cold feet and sides, sometimes chest too but stopped. Mothers are advised against the use of mentholattum on babies cos it contains camphor.
Thanks Anon, what you typed here is exactly what the Doctors said when we had jaundice. , one Doctor even said that the mentholatum is what caused my baby's jaundice cos I used to like rub a little on my pinky and press on babies' rectum when their stool is hard and it worked like magic.
As soon as we got home, I disposed of everything containing camphor. God will continue to help us.
Ok, thank you, I know dear. I just drop like two to three drops cos I don't think I truly trust the water. Thanks, I won't drop anymore.
My dear, a head that will have ogor eh, if you like use hammer, that ogor will still appear.
Oh dear, Sorry you washed everything all at once,
Instructions don't say we shouldn't use on babies.
Nice one ma. Pls help us to post different baby friendly recipes from 6months. Baby friendly was so easy. All I had 2 do was breastfeed. ΒƱ† now that we are 6months old Ȋ̊†̥ gets harder. Thanks ma
Vicky.
A baby bathtub is not really necessary. I didn't use mine for long before we started using the bathtub in the bathroom. You can comfortably bathe your newborn in a bathtub or sink.
Ok, Vicky, follow this link to find over a dozen baby friendly recipes you can give your baby at that age or even less:http://www.wivestownhallconnection.com/2013/04/pictures-how-to-prepare-soybeans-powder.html
No nothing wrong, but, if it's a baby boy, Doctors advise that menthol might not be good for them at that age because it contains camphor. Camphor containing substances should never be used on newborn baby boys because they can cause jaundice. Telling you from experience, the Doctors warned me after we spent about two weeks in Intensive Care with my bay under the lights to clear of that jaundice. I had to throw away the bottles of mentholatum and robb I had then and disposed of every camphor around. For baby girls I think there's no problem.
You are right dear but research findings are coming out daily you know.
Nice one ma. But Able Mum is correct concerning the clit. . my cousin's clit bulges out too much,even while standing, and looks disgusting after sex. She told me about the sex part though , lol
Nice