MAMBA Baby Care Course
Module 2
Bathing, Dressing & Comforting
Step 1: Enjoy The Module Video Below
This module we learnt all about bathing and dressing babies and we started to explore comforting measures. We will dive deeper into comforting and soothing babies next week when we also learn all about feeding and sleeping.
Step 2: Homework!
Please find below some helpful videos that you can follow along with to practice topping and tailing, bathing, dressing and swaddling ready for when you baby arrives.
Topping & Tailing
It’s important to wash your baby’s face and bottom once a day. Most parents do this as part of a morning routine as it’s relatively quick and easy to do.
You don’t need to buy a specific top and tail bowl, but finding some plastic containers that fit on the end of your changing table is ideal- just make sure you can tell the top from the tail bowl as not to get cross contamination.
Bathing
It is always important to pick a time when your baby is happy and relaxed for bating. A hungry or tired baby will not enjoy bath time, and neither will you!
It is also common for newborns to not enjoy bathing for the first month or so, and if your baby finds it distressing then keep it to a minimum until they begin to enjoy exploring more.
No need for soaps or creams in those early weeks, and cradle cap shampoo should be used carefully over the sink as not to expose the rest of your baby’s delicate skin to it. Softening cradle cap scabs with oils for a few hours before can help ease them away with a baby brush or soft toothbrush. If it doesn’t resolve over a few weeks then contact your GP for some topical creams to help treat it.
The below link will open some more helpful tips and advice from our amazing NHS website- always a great place to go for pregnancy and baby care advice.
Dressing Babies
Choosing clothes for your baby is such a joy, and friends and family will also love bringing you baby clothes gifts in the early days. My top tip is to not take the labels off any gifts until you are sure you are going to use them. Most shops will allow size changes and even exchanges for other items for quite some time. There is such a thing as too many 0-3 month baby grows! You’ll just never get through them all, so swapping up sizes on gifts can be a great idea.
Just bear in mind that baby clothes are seasonal, and so cute baby shorts might not be ideal in 6 months time in the winter, so think about this when ordering clothes in bigger sizes- many babies outgrow the labeled size range early too. Basically try not to break the bank in the first few weeks on every cute baby dress you see as there will be plenty of time for shopping as they grow.
Sticking to fabrics that are natural fibres, soft and stretchy is really helpful in the early months as it will make dressing your baby easier for you and more comfortable for them. Many babies dislike getting changed so the quicker you can do it the better.
Swaddling & Comforting Babies
We talked about the FIVE S’s of comforting young babies and I’m sure you’re getting ready to explore white noise apps and baby swings on your phone even as you read this! Do your research, and if you are investing in a baby swing then opt for one that does side to side as well as front and back if you can afford it.
The below link offers some more insight into the FIVE S’s and is worth a read to consider if you have everything you might want for those early days.
There are loads of different swaddling blankets on the market, as well as swaddling techniques. I urge all parents to try swaddling on and off for the first month with a newborn as some seem to take to it first time and others resist a little. However babies who swaddle happily are generally much easier to settle at sleep times as their startle reflex is suppressed and they enjoy the consistency of feeling safe and contained within a swaddle, making transitioning easier.
This video shows the main swaddling techniques with different types of swaddle- plus a few tips from me to prevent wriggly little escapees!
I have also included an old video I made demonstrating how to ‘SUPER SWADDLE! This technique can be used safely with a sleeping bag for babies who get a little older and more wriggly, kicking their blankets off, but still enjoy the sense of security of swaddled arms at night. I hope you enjoy meeting baby Oliver who I used to demo this video. He is now nearly 5 and would happily still be rolled up like a baby burrito for fun!
INFOGRAPHIC CREDIT cozycubs.com
I hope you have a great time practicing making baby burritos with different blankets and swaddles! Any questions please send me a message.
Nicola