#babycare
Baby sponging: How it helped me as a new mom?
We all know about the importance of practicing good hygeine habits to keep ourselves safe from many diseases, but when it comes to our kids we are all the more attentive. Wether it is a new mother of an infant, who is completely dependant on her for hygeine or mother of a super active toddler who wants to pick everything from the floor and eat or even mother of a grown up kid who goes to pre school and does many activities throughout the day we try and do our best to save them from germs and infections.
When my parenting journey started, and I came back from the hospital, I had stiches so I was not in a position to bathe my baby. Also everyone else at home was; scared of going wrong and thus from next day itself a lady who massaged and bathed my baby came. She also massaged me. In a few days time I learned from her many technique's and tricks for safely bathing and massaging my daughter and started doing it myself. I was extremely happy handling my child well alone and was content doing the thing myself.
But just when we were settled with a good everyday bathing routine, my daughter fell seriously sick. She was once running a 105 degree fever and even then I bathed her with warm water thinking about her hygeine. Her condition worsened. I didn't know then that when a kid has fever or is having cold or some other severe disease like dyssentry etc bathing can be very harmful. I told the doctor how I had used warm water and taken full care that she doesn't catch cold but the doctor then suggested me that whenever the child is not in a position to go for proper bathing one can always sponge the baby. If done correctly, this technique not only helps in maintaining hygeine for the child, but also is very relaxing. A sick child after sponging feels much comfortable and even sleeps sometimes. That feeling of freshness even helps induce a little appetite.
So, here I am sharing the process of how I do it.
1. The first thing I do is that I create a little cozy environment for this. One has to take care that the baby doesn't catch cold, so keeping AC and fan switched off is a must. One must Try and close all the doors and windows to keep room temperature normal.
2. It is important to collect all the things and keep it by your side to avoid running in between the process. Baby clothes (top to toe), diaper, wipes, towel, 2 small napkins, baby powder, comb, hair oil (if you use), warm to little hot water in a big bowl or mug with antiseptic liquid like Dettol added to it. A good trick is to use little hot water so that till the time you start, it doesn't turn cold.
3. The timing when you do this process is important. It takes 15-20 minutes so the baby should not be completely hungry or wanting to pee or poop. When sick a child usually gets up late. Feed the child and start this process at least 20-25 minutes after that. This will give the child time to even pee and poop.
4. Once you are ready with everything, while talking a little to your baby, remove the lower clothing first. Dip one clean napkin in disinfected water and thoroughly clean the thighs, legs, feet and toes. Dry it well with a towel. Also you can use baby wipes for cleaning the anal area properly.
5. Now take baby powder in your hand and slowly apply on legs and feet area. Avoid it completely near anal area as it's deposition can lead to infections. If you want to massage the baby a little you may do so too. Once done, make the bay wear fresh clothes and diaper.
6. Once lower area is done, remove the upper clothes. If it is too cold you can loosely wrap the baby in a dumble. Take napkin number 2 and while dipping in the disinfected water, you can clean neck, shoulders, underarms, stomach and back. Dry it and as in first case take powder in hands and apply it. We have used the same water for lower and upper part, as it is hot and disinfected. If you want you can use 2 bowls. Again if you want little massaging can be done. Put on the clothes after this.
7. Last but not the least the babies face also needs to be sponged, and as babies cry the most in this, use a wipe and very carefully do it. Sing a song or lullaby which can distract the child.
You can now oil the hair (optional) and comb the babies hair.
Believe me a sick child will be relieved after this. I have extensively used this for my daughter during teething, virals, diorrhea and many times when we were travelling or at some cold place where I knew if bathed she will surely catch cold.
We all usually carry baby stuff with us while travelling and even if baby can't bathe for a day or two sponging will keep them safe.
Happy parenting!!