Showers are important!

How to shower with your baby..

​I shared with my friend the other day that I showered with my newborn and she was seriously impressed and wondered how I did it. I’ve showered all my babies once their umbilical stumps fell off and then I didn’t have issue with them not liking a shower. For those of you wondering, I stop showering with them once they notice we have different body parts and/or are old enough to wash themselves. Showering your baby is a great time to bond and doesn’t have to be scary, but it does take a little bit of preparation.
​I start by getting out fresh clothes and a diaper for baby and put it where I will be getting him dressed. Then I pick out fresh clothes for myself and hang my bathrobe in the bathroom. I grab a fresh wash cloth and towel for the baby and turn on the water to get it nice and warm. Next, I undress the baby down to his diaper and wrap him in a blanket and put him in his bouncer, which is right outside my shower.

​Then I hop in the shower and complete my washing routine so when I bring the baby in all I have to do is focus on him. I step out of the shower and pick him up and bring him in with me. If you notice that the baby startles from the water simply hold him close and fold their arms in. It will help them feel secure and then relax. I wash my baby in the same pattern I wash myself- top to bottom. I wash their head/hair, then move on down the body. I wash their back while holding them to my chest- in the same position that you burp a baby in. Then I put him in the crook of my arm and wash the side that is out- cleaning under his neck, his arm, his chest, and so on. Once that side is done, I rinse and switch arms that I’m holding in and repeat for the other side of his body. While I’m washing him I may sing a song or just talk and coo at him. When we are done, I wrap in him in his dry towel and place him in the bouncer and cover him up with a blanket to stay warm while I towel off. Then I throw on my bathrobe and go get him dressed.

I recommend trying this when you are not rushed for time. You don’t want to add to your stress by having to hurry. Overall, showering with my baby saves me time because I don’t have to give him a separate bath and clean up after tub time. I shower or bathe my little guy every day, I know that not every baby needs a bath every day or can every baby’s skin tolerate it either it may dry them out too much. My newborn has probably had fifteen or so showers at this point and he loves it. He smiles and totally relaxes in there. Go ahead and give it a try, you may find that it works for your family.

Kristen Jokinen, BS, DONA Trained

​