Bathing A Three- To Six-Month-Old
Tags: Baby Care, Baby Grooming, Three to Six Months
Bath time can be an enjoyable time for you and your baby. At this age, you can continue to use a small baby tub or graduate into the big bathtub. Be extremely careful, though. Place a rubber mat in the bottom of the tub, and keep the water level no deeper than four inches. Test the water temperature by placing a few drops on your forearm; it should feel lukewarm. When the tub is ready, place the baby in the water on her back. Keep one arm behind the baby’s head and neck, holding on to her shoulder, and use the other hand for washing. Baths should last no more than three or four minutes. Be sure to have a towel waiting and be extremely careful lifting your wet, slippery infant out of the tub.
Some three-to six-month-olds do not like bathing in a tub. For these babies, a modified washup can often take the place of a full bath. With a washcloth, you can clean the baby’s hands, neck, underarms, trunk, arms, and diaper area.