With the arrival of cooler weather, bathing your baby becomes a bit of a balancing act: you need to be quick to prevent the baby from catching a chill, ensure they get thoroughly clean, and still cater to their love for playing in the water. Here, Xiao He shares some handy tips for bathing your baby during the autumn, so moms no longer have to worry about their little ones getting cold!
As the weather cools down, bathing your baby is no longer as simple as it was in the summer!
1. Preparation: Managing Room and Water Temperatures
● As autumn sets in, temperatures drop—especially in the evening, when it gets significantly colder than in the summer. The temperature in the bathroom should be kept above 30°C (86°F).
● Have everything ready beforehand: a change of clothes, diapers, a large bath towel, a small washcloth, baby shampoo, etc. You can lay out the clothing in the order it will be put on—outer layers at the bottom, followed by undergarments, with the diaper on top. If it’s very cold or damp outside and the clothes don’t feel perfectly dry, you can warm them up using a space heater or heating device before the bath, so the baby can slip into cozy, warm clothes afterward.
● Adjust the bathwater temperature. Ideally, it should be between 37°C and 40°C (98.6°F–104°F). Remember to add cold water first, then hot water.
Xiao He’s Tip: Try to keep the bathing space relatively small. You can turn on the bathroom heater (heat lamp) beforehand to warm up the room before bringing the baby in. Just be careful to ensure the heat lamp’s light does not shine directly into the baby’s eyes.
2. Starting the Bath: Wash the Hair First, Then the Body
● Before undressing the baby, you can keep them wrapped in a towel or blanket and lay them across your lap. Quickly wash and dry their hair, then remove their clothes to proceed with the rest of the bath. ● It is best to bathe your baby between feedings. Avoid bathing them when they are too full—which can lead to spitting up—or too hungry, as they may become uncooperative and even develop an aversion to bath time.
● In autumn, the air is dry, which can easily cause a baby’s skin to dry out. Furthermore, since babies wear more layers of clothing in the autumn, their skin is less exposed to environmental dust; therefore, there is no need to use body wash or soap during every bath. Overusing these products can leave the baby’s skin excessively dry and itchy.
Xiao He’s Tips: Speed is key when bathing your baby! Once the bath is finished, quickly pat the baby dry with a towel, apply moisturizer, and get them dressed. Ideally, the entire process should be kept under 10 minutes, as the water may otherwise cool down. You can keep some extra hot water nearby to add to the tub if needed—just be sure to keep the baby away while adding it, and always stir the water with your hand afterward to ensure an even temperature.
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