Bathing a newborn baby with a circle for the first time

Recently the baby bathing lap has been gaining in popularity. It greatly facilitates water procedures, makes it safe for the infant to stay in the bathtub. But, for the process to bring only positive emotions, you should follow some simple recommendations.

When to Start Water Treatments

Baby should only be bathed with a neck brace after the navel has fully healed to prevent the wound from becoming infected. In the first month, it is better not to perform these procedures, as there is a process of adaptation of the newborn to the new environment. The optimum age is two months.

Up to three months of age a baby still has the innate swimming reflex. It then goes on to descend. Baby’s conception and development takes place in an aquatic environment. Up to three months of age he/she considers water to be a comfortable environment. It is not uncommon at this time for parents to begin activities in the baby’s pool. Because newborns retain the reflexive ability to hold their breath under water. They stick well to the surface.

If the child is not yet holding his head, it is not a contraindication to use a bathing lap. This water accessory is good for fixing the head. It is a kind of collar, which helps the neck muscles not to suffer from excessive strain.

The benefits of early swimming

Infants usually react positively to water procedures with a lap. Swimming with a water accessory has some advantages over conventional bathing in the tub:

1. strengthens the muscles;

2. develop swimming skills;

3. The body is better saturated with oxygen;

4. better develop the brain;

5. the baby gets free movement in the bathtub;

6. Strengthens the immune system;

7. Sleep becomes deep and sound;

8. The respiratory system develops against the background of the maximum opening of the lungs.

It has been observed that children who regularly swim with a lap in the bathtub, suffer less from colic, they have a longer and stronger sleep. Swimming with a lap is less trouble for parents. They do not have to hold the newborn in their arms in the water all the time. The child can safely swim from side to side. He is not frightened by water in his eyes and mouth, he feels safe.

The harm of early swimming

According to pediatricians, there are also negative aspects of early swimming:

1. overexcited baby;

2. The appearance of autonomic reactions expressed by “goose bumps”;

3. risk of otitis if water gets into the ear.

Before you start swimming with a lap on the neck, you should consult with your pediatrician. In addition, if you stop your baby’s exercises for a while because of illness, you can only resume them after getting permission from your doctor.

When you can not swim infant

Despite the obvious benefits of bathing with a lap, these procedures are prohibited in the following cases:

1. For colds and viral diseases;

2. If irritation of the skin;

3. skin integrity may be compromised;

4. Trauma of the collarbone, neck;

5. neurological diagnosis, which is manifested by convulsions;

6. Congenital heart disease;

7. If your baby has increased or decreased muscle tone;

8. Increased body temperature.

If the child for some reason is capricious, is in a bad mood, then on that day it is better to postpone water activities to observe him.

How to choose a lap for swimming

The wrong swimming lap can be harmful to a newborn. The main danger from a low-quality accessory lies in the risk of injury to the neck. We advise to choose PVC laps. Since this material is environmentally safe. When buying the product, you should pay attention to the following points:

1. The inscription on the accessory. The safest products are considered to be those marked “eco-friendly”.

2. Clips. The best option is considered a model with two fasteners: Velcro and clasp. One velcro may not be able to handle the constant load. The clasp will keep the infant safe.

3. Size. Better choose a lap that is appropriate for the age of the child. The product has a different diameter of the head hole.

4. Guarantee. It is better to give preference to a product with a guarantee of more than 2 weeks.

If you take into account all the nuances, check the relevant documentation, the circle will be safe for the newborn. We recommend that before buying an accessory to check its seams, it is better that they were not rigid, do not squeeze the neck of the baby. Check that the product does not give off a pungent smell.

How to prepare the lap for a bath

Preparing the lap is not too much trouble for parents. It consists of the following simple steps:

1. Open the package.

2. Remove the accessory.

3. Let him warm up.

4. Flatten out the contours, smooth them out.

5. Inflate both chambers, starting with the bottom one.

6. Tuck the flaps of the product inside.

7. Wash the product with soap and water and rinse it well.

After the preparation, show the accessory to the baby, let him get acquainted with it, study it.

How to prepare your baby for bathing with a lap

The preparation will help your baby not be frightened by the new object. Otherwise he may react by crying to bathing with a circle in the bathtub. Let your baby get used to the product for the first time without water. Put the lap in the room next to him. Let the baby explore the accessory, examine it, and play with it. Put the circle on the baby for the first time without water, so as not to frighten him.

Talk to your baby in a calm tone during the bath, do not show any signs of discomfort. You can go behind his back, to call him, provoking him to turn and swim to his parents. Add toys that the baby will reach out and swim up to. If the baby refuses to put on a circle, do not insist. Postpone the procedure for two to three days.

How to bathe a newborn baby for the first time with a lap

Parents have a lot of questions about how to bathe the baby in the bathtub with a circle. We give the following simple rules to help them:

1. Familiarize your baby with the lap. Otherwise he will get fussy and bathing will have to be postponed.

2. Fill the tub with water, check the temperature in the room. The optimum temperature of the water – 37, the air in the bathroom – 22 degrees.

3. Gently open the Velcro fasteners of the accessory.

4. Lift one part of the circle up. Put the other one down.

5. Gently slip the product around the neck of the infant, watching the position of the chin. Some models have a special hole for it. The fasteners of the circle should be on the back. Tip: It is better for a newborn to wear a lap together, he is not yet able to hold his head upright, so as not to squeeze the neck.

6. Fasten the bindings.

7. Gently lower the infant column in the water.

8. Move your baby around in the tub, doing figure eights, and flipping him or her from back to tummy.

For the first bath 10 minutes will be enough, so the newborn will not be overexcited. Then, gradually the duration of the water treatment can be increased by one minute.

How to take the lap off your child’s neck

The circle from the baby’s neck should not be removed in the water. Remove it in the same way as you put it on. Take the baby out of the bath, put it on the changing table or sofa with its tummy down. When your baby instinctively lifts his head up, gently and quickly remove the circle.

Water Temperature

You should bathe your baby with a lap in a regular bathtub. Baby bath for these purposes is small, will not allow to make swimming motions. Before starting the activity, we advise to clean the adult bath with baking soda, then rinse it with water.

The water temperature should be as comfortable as possible. If parents want to conduct a hardening of the child’s body at the same time as bathing, you need to gradually reduce the temperature of the water. It will increase the child’s resistance to viral diseases.

1. The optimal water temperature for the first bath is 37 degrees.

2. On the fifth lesson, it is allowed to reduce the temperature to 36, 5 degrees.

3. On the ninth – to 36 degrees.

4. The water temperature can reach 35.5 degrees at the 14th session.

5. On the 20th session, it’s 35 degrees.

6. At the 24th session the water temperature is 34 degrees.

So the water temperature is gradually reduced to 28 degrees. If a child feels relaxed in the water and does not want to be active, the water is too warm for him.

Precautions

When bathing an infant in the bathtub, important precautions must be observed:

1. Do not leave your baby in the water unattended.

2. Do not inflate the circle to the limit, so it does not burst while swimming.

3. Inflate the product by mouth to avoid damaging it.

4. Make sure the flaps of the product are well closed.

5. The baby’s feet should not touch the bottom of the tub.

6. Do not use the accessory at a depth of more than 1 m.

Remember that the lap is not a lifesaver, do not make your baby alone in the tub, even for a few seconds.

A swimming lap is a necessary accessory that makes bathing a newborn easier. If you choose it correctly, observe the precautions, it will not bring harm to the child.