Everything You Need To Know About Bathing A Newborn In Indian Style- Process, Benefits And Precautions

Bathing a newborn is a treasure for parents and a bit intimidating too. When your newborn is feeling the joy of the sensation of warm water on their skin you can bond with them in a distraction-free atmosphere. Yet this common parenting ritual often comes with questions, and sometimes anxiety, about when and how to do it well.

Keeping your baby clean in the initial few days is a pretty basic job. newborn babies don't get dirty very often. Normally Sponge baths are enough to keep a newborn clean while your baby's umbilical cord stump is still hanging on.

With the overwhelming number of options available for baths like a tub bath and sponge bath and the risk surrounding SIDS, it is quite common for a parent to worry about How to bathe a newborn. In this post today we will guide you to learn about Bathing newborn in a unique age-old but highly scientific Indian style. Stick with us to know in detail about How to bathe newborn baby Indian style.

In typical Indian homes, a baby’s arrival is celebrated like festivals. It is met with very unique, traditional rituals. These traditions and rituals have been passed down for many generations. One of these long-held traditions is the much treasured Indian baby bath and massage. Like Koreans, Russians and Japanese who believe in massaging a baby for bath Indian culture also practices the great massage for bathing a newborn baby. The Indian bathe is a traditional bath on the legs after a massage by the baby's grandmother or maalishwali (masseuse). In further paragraphs let's explore more about bathing a newborn in Indian style. A 1906 clip from the British Film Institute has also captured such a message. Indians believe the detailed Ayurvedic rituals of both bath and massage help babies build muscle tone and improve their health.

How Often You Should Bathe Newborn In India ?

In tropical countries like India, you should give a bath to your newborn every day with warm water. The water used should not be too hot as it may harm the baby’s delicate skin. In chilly winters or countries with cold weather, it is not necessary to give a bath every day.

Bathing A Newborn Baby Just After Birth

Right after birth, you should gently apply coconut oil or Sesame oil and then bathe your newborn in warm water. A new mother should shut the door and windows to prevent drought. The mother should shut the door and windows to prevent drought. Bathing babies should preferably be done in the afternoon. Bathing a newborn in Indian style is the ideal one. The mother sits on the ground with legs extended and touching each other. The baby is kept on the legs with its face towards the ground so that the face and tummy of the baby are touching the mother’s legs and the nose lies in between the legs. Bathing a baby can also be done in a plastic tub.

Advantages Of The Bathing Baby In Indian Style

The position of the baby avoids the entry of water into the nose and mouth.

Even if the baby becomes slippery after the application of soap, there is no question of fall as the baby is practically touching the ground between the legs of the mother. Both the hands of the mother are free to clean and wipe the baby.

Oil Massage While Bathing Baby

As far as possible the traditional lady who gives massage to the mother and washes soiled clothes of the baby should not give massage to the baby because her hands are unclean and rough. It is not advisable for babies as they have delicate skin. An oil massage should be avoided in a humid climate. If the baby is allergic to a particular oil, the oil should be changed.

Reason To Opt Indian Style Bathing For Newborn Baby

In general, an oil massage has several benefits for newborn babies. The application of or light massage with oil such as olive sesame or coconut oil, tones up the skin and muscles of the baby and can also improve the skin complexion. Oil is absorbed from the soft sensitive skin of the newborn and acts as a supplementary feed. There is also the belief that These babies take fewer feeds as they get nourishment through the absorbed oil. Oil creates a layer of insulating material that helps to maintain body temperature.

Precautions While Bathing A Newborn Baby In Indian Style

Use baby soap with a high content of fat and less caustic soda to prevent the irritation of the baby's delicate skin. 

Wipe your newborn after birth with a soft baby towel. Remember to see that spaces behind ears, neck, armpits, groins and buttocks are washed well.

Sprinkle talcum powder in the armpits, groins, buttocks and neck. You must be careful that talcum powder particles should not enter the nose and eyes of the baby.

Trim the baby's nails after a bath because it becomes soft at that time. It is recommended to trim nails once a week because nails are likely to harm the eyes or the delicate skin of the baby.

You can open the windows of the house after putting on clothes.

In winters wash your baby with large cotton swabs dipped in warm water To avoid exposure to the cold atmosphere for a prolonged time.

In winter, expose the baby to sunlight for a few minutes in the morning and evening. Though a bath is not needed when the baby passes stools, the buttock and the napkin area should be cleaned with a cotton swab dipped in warm water.

Conclusion

Next time when you are thinking about How to bathe newborn baby Indian style, remember that  Knowing the basics can make bathing your infant a breeze. 

Just ensure your baby stays comfortable and safe during bath time. For the first few baths be careful not to directly put the baby in the water. Once the umbilical area is healed, you can try placing your baby directly in the water. The first newborn baths in Indian style should be as gentle and brief as possible. Sometimes children may protest a little. Babies usually make it clear when they're ready.

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