Bathtime Bliss for Infants and Mamas

Is bathing your newborn stressing you out? Don’t worry; this is totally normal. Not everyone clicks to every aspect of parenting right away, especially when it comes to submerging your infant in water—even more especially if it seems like they are not enjoying it. Luckily, there are some ways you and your baby can adjust to enjoying bathtime and turn it into a great bonding experience. Keep reading to learn our best bathtime tips to make bathtime bliss for infants and mamas, including how to massage your infant and the best, safest products to use on them.

Our Best Bathtime Tips

To have an easy, stress-free bathtime experience for you and your baby, here are some quick tips to follow:

1. You do not need to bathe your baby every day! About twice a week is plenty for them. 
2. Make sure everything you need is within reach. Keep a small basket of all their soap, lotions, scrubs, and brushes to make sure you won’t have to move once you start. 
3. Don’t worry about adding bubbles or soap to the water; a shallow bath of warm water is all they need. 
4. Don’t submerge your baby in water if their umbilical cord hasn’t fallen off yet. Just stick to sponge baths until that happens. 
5. Keep your baby covered during bathtime with a warm washcloth or muslin blanket. 
6. Go slowly and take your time—your infant will feel it if you’re rushing, and it won’t be a relaxing experience that will stress you both out. 
7. Expect your baby to cry the first few times they are in the bath. You can calm them by singing or talking to them rather than rushing through the experience. 
8. Start with their face and head, then work your way down.

Massaging Your Infant

One of the best ways you can make bathtime bliss for both you and your baby is by giving them a relaxing massage. Babies are notorious for gas issues, colic, growing pains, teething, and much more. This means that bathtime massages can be a huge benefit for them, and they will correlate bathtime with feeling better.

Here are some general tips when it comes to massaging your infant: 

• Avoid massaging your baby immediately following a feeding. Wait at least 45 minutes, or until your baby is calm and alert—likely before bedtime or after a diaper change. 
• Make strokes gentle but firm and not ticklish. 
• Build massage into your baby's daily schedule. 
• Follow your baby's signals about when to stop. A massage can last 10 minutes or 30 minutes, depending on their mood. Crying, squirming, or falling asleep are signs that your baby isn't feeling the massage. 
• Consult your doctor before using any massage oils, and avoid any harsh ingredients. 
• Remember to relax and don't worry too much about your technique. Speak softly, sing, or hum to your baby, and smile to teach them that this is a fun, loving activity you can share.

The Best Bath Scrubs for Newborns

Another way you can make bathtime bliss for both you and your baby, as well as massage your infant, is through bath scrubs. Newborn babies can have flaky skin after birth, and some may even have cradle cap on top of their heads. While neither of these things should cause alarm (they are both totally normal), they can be unsightly and messy, which means you’ll want to do your best to take care of them in the bath. Bath scrubs also just feel great, make a nice lather, and can be a relaxing experience for whoever uses them.

Innobaby Silicone Mini Fish Scrub / Cradle Cap Brush

Gently massage away stubborn cradle cap and dry skin with the Innobaby Bathin' Smart Silicone Mini Fish Scrub!

Our brand new Mini Fish Scrub features over 3,000 tiny micro-bristles that gently massage and break up dry skin on baby's scalp beneath their hair. Gentle and safe enough to use on newborns and young infants, our Mini Fish Scrub is made out of 100% silicone that is mold and mildew-resistant, which means it is high time to throw away that stinky washcloth.

Bonus: the Silicone Mini Scrub is dishwasher safe or can be sterilized in boiling water for a deep clean! Not just for cradle cap, the Mini Fish is great for the entire family - mom can use it too as a facial scrub! Mini Fish includes a convenient handle that is easy to grip and can be suctioned to the side of the tub, shower wall, or any other smooth surface.

Innobaby Silicone Massage Mitt

Sick of slippery sponges and loofahs? The Innobaby Silicone Massage Mitt is here! Designed to perfectly fit your hand with a thumbhole, just like a mitt, this scrubbie will gently wash up every member of your family—even your dog! The double-sided mitt helps scrub away dirt and dead skin while also gentle enough to use on even the smallest member of your family. Use the side with the smaller bristles to easily lather up your body, then switch to the side with the larger bristles to give yourself a heavenly scalp massage with your favorite shampoo.

Adorable Animal Scrubs

Say goodbye to stinky loofahs and washcloths and say hello to our adorable bath scrubs! Made in a fun fish or duck shape, our Bathin’ Smart Silicone Scrubs gently washes and massages your child’s body and scalp while creating a calming and therapeutic bath time experience.

Made from 100% Silicone, the entire line is quick-drying, naturally resists odor, and is even dishwasher safe! The grow-with-me bath scrubs also double as a quiet and mess-free fidget toy for kids ages 6 years and up. Moms can use the scrub in the bath to massage sore breasts from breastfeeding, too!

For more parenting tips and safe products for your newborn, visit us at innobaby.com!