If you have a newborn, bathing him could be a tumultuous ride – especially if you are being monitored by a family elder who still holds on to traditional methods. For the new-gen mums, it’s much easier to bathe a baby in a bathtub specially designed for babies, and one that can secure your little one in it. Moreover, the baby screeching less helps the mama out as well and is not unduly stressful. But, there are quite a few advantages of a traditional bath. You know, the one that involves a vigorous oil massage and splashes of a little overly warm water, while your baby lies on your legs. However, the procedure can have some disadvantages if you don’t follow the right steps. So, here is all you need to know about the traditional way of bathing a baby:

1. You must first position the baby properly and secure on your legs. The grandma’s way to do it would be to sit on the bathroom floor and stretch her legs forward while keeping the ankles crossed. The baby is either positioned along the legs with his head towards your feet. While washing the hair, the baby is usually placed with the head downwards so as to prevent any water entering the ears. Usually, a C-section mom cannot sit in this fashion and would normally get help from a family member or hire a local masseuse.

2. Always check the temperature of the water. Bear in mind that the water could cool down by the time you are done massaging the baby. So better take hot water and let it cool to reach optimal temperature while you massage your little one. Before splashing water, touch the undercurrents as well to check if it is still hot inside.

3. The oil massage is usually a forceful one. There are several baby oils available from the well-known baby brands. However, women might also use mustard oil, coconut oil or even vegetable oil to massage their baby. If you are using one of these oils for the first time, you could do a patch test on the baby. If there is any redness or rashes or acne that develops, discontinue the oil. Make sure the oil is non-occlusive so as to help the baby’s skin breathe. You should remember that a baby cannot be oil-massaged until the tenth day of birth. After that a head-to-toe massage could be a daily routine. Massaging the baby for an hour before the bath is ideal. The correct strokes while massaging are also essential. Use a downward stroke for the legs and the arms, a clockwise stroke on the abdomen and the back must have an anti-clockwise stroke. Oiling the scalp must be done carefully. Your baby’s head is a very sensitive area. Also, if there is any scaling or dandruff that occurs, you could discontinue oiling the scalp. Coconut oil, however, is safe for the scalp.

4. A massage is usually followed by a scrub with besan or chickpea flour. Scrubbing supposedly removes unwanted hair from the baby. Several babies have lots of facial hair, hair on the hands and the back at the time of birth. You might not be able to see them because your baby is too tiny for you to spot them. But a careful examination could still help you spot hair.

5. Bathing the baby is not a gentle splash, but rather a dousing operation. intermittently with gentle soap washes. It is said that the more water you splash on the abdominal region, the more it aids in the baby’s digestion.

6. Once you pat dry your baby, there will be a smoking ritual, no don’t worry. All you have to do expose your little darling to some incensed fumes. Most babies cannot stay calm while bathing. What might begin with smiles and fun while the massage might escalate to cries. It could be pretty harsh for a mother to witness the cries, but you will be cajoled into the whole process because it is apparently good for your baby.

Advantages of massaging

1. Massaging stimulates the baby through the act of touch which is intrinsic to a child’s development. It helps the baby to feel safe and loved.

2. It helps to bond with the mother.

3. Oil massage conditions your baby’s skin and prevents dryness.

4. It keeps baby warm on cold days.

5. It promotes blood circulation and tones up your baby’s muscles.

Disadvantages of massaging

1. Rigorous massage could lead to green stick fractures. A green stick fracture is hard to detect even through X-rays because it is a fracture in very young soft bone.

2. The hands of the masseuse must be smooth with no abrasions, cracks or injuries that could harm your baby’s delicate skin.

3. An oiled baby will be slippery, so extra care must be taken when holding the baby.

4. Oiling during summers can block the skin pore or cause miliaria.

5. Oiling the scalp could cause dandruff or scaling at times.

Advantages of traditional bathing

1. You can avoid soaking your baby excessively and for prolonged periods in a bathtub.

2. Your baby can quickly adjust from a sitting to sleeping position and soon could also assume a standing position very well.

3. The hot baths can induce sleep, and your baby could sleep at lengths giving you enough of your personal time.

4. This kind of bathing clears off excess mucus from the nostrils naturally.

Disadvantages of traditional bathing:

1. You will need assistance until your baby can hold his neck steady – that is until the fifth or the sixth month.

2. The baby will be soapy and slippery, so you must handle him very carefully.

3. Since you would be sitting on the bath floor, your movement along with the baby should be extremely cautious one. Remember, the bathroom floor could be slippery with oil, soap and water. So have a dry doormat placed alongside.

4. A prolonged bath – for more than 5 minutes – will reduce the friction as your baby is too well hydrated by this time.

5. You should watch out for the water temperature – the undercurrents as well – after the massage.

6. Too much soap could lead to dry skin. Also, watch out for the pH of the baby soap or shampoo you might use. Some babies are allergic to basic pH soaps!

7. Also bear in mind that there is no scientific material available that could support smoking the baby. In fact, doctors don’t recommend it as some might be allergic or asthmatic towards the incensed fumes.

So while the traditional bathing method is lengthier and laborious than a simple bath. It might provide your baby physical and physiological benefits and promote growth. But you might have to take all the precautions. Seek help from your family while you bathe your baby.

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