Dirt is good, shower’s are overrated!!!

I think taking a bath is overrated. I mean why the need to douse yourself with so much water and then scrub every nook and cranny clean..I mean for what!!???. I was quite attached to that pasta from last night’s dinner that had settled nicely behind my ear. Anyways to make a long story short I have started a passionate hatred towards the simple ordinary bath. To have water being poured over my head is to scream at the glass breaking decibel velocity making even the Silva’s from the other street call Mum to see if everything is alright. I mean I think I used to enjoy baths…nicely floating in the warm scented soapy water, Mum gently crooning away.

Then, once day reality came crashing down like a tsunami. Mum was running late over some fiasco Big Sister had down with the bottle of powder and the kitchen floor, since Mum was slipping and sliding cleaning up that mess, Just Dad stepped in to help her out and said I’ll give the baby a bath. That should have all my warning bells jangling, but I was naïve and gullible.  I must say though it started off great. Dad was swinging me in the air, off came the clothes and I went and sat on my little stool whilst the bath was being got ready. Mum always does that, I sit and have a chit chat with rubber duck whilst she sets the bath water just the way I like it, soapy and luke warm.

Just Dad forgot all those bits, rubber ducky is nowhere in sight. I’m starting to get a little nervous. Dad hasn’t even taken the bath off the hook. What is going on!!???!!. Hey you’re a big boy now he goes, it’s time to take a shower, who needs the lame little baby bath anyways. I do just I do..I yell, but the loud shower drowns my cries for help. Looks like we’re going in, even though Dad’s put it on the lowest of setting the water pricks my skin like needles, where’s my looosy goosy sponging towel that Mum usually rubs all over my skin, soft and warm. Nope the hard cold shower takes its toll, Dad shouts words of encouragement. The water dribbles down my face getting into my eyes and blurring with my tears that are ready to fall in thunderstorm style. I’m not taking any more of this..I scream for Mummy I push the shower away, it goes in all directions and Just Dad is soaked and after a good fifteen minutes of our water battle, Mum comes into a completely soaked bathroom, and an even wetter Dad!!!!

How often should I bathe my newborn?

Newborns don't need a bath every day. In fact, a lot of babies get rashes and dry skin from too many baths. Until your baby's umbilical cord stump falls off, wash her with a soft sponge or cloth instead of putting her in the tub. When the cord has healed, she only needs a bath once or twice a week. After a few months, daily baths are fine.

How to bathe a newborn?

Some babies find the warm water very soothing. If this is the case with your baby, it's fine to let her linger. Others cry through the whole bath — that's when you'll want to get her in and out. Baths don't need to take up a lot of time: Five minutes is long enough to get your baby clean before the water cools down too much. When you do bathe your newborn, you may find it a little scary at first. Handling a wiggling, wet, and soapy little creature takes practice and confidence, so stay calm and maintain a good grip on her.

What is bath safety etiquette?

- Never leave your baby unsupervised, even for a minute. If the doorbell or phone rings and you feel you must answer it, scoop him up in a towel and take him with you.

- Never put your baby into a tub when the water is still running. (The water can quickly get too deep or hot.)

- Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. A child can get third-degree burns in less than a minute at 140 degrees.

- Never leave your child unattended. (Yes, it's so important we listed it twice). A child can drown in less than an inch of water—and in less than 60 seconds.

When to take baby into the shower?

When you bring your baby into the shower for the first time, introduce him gradually and position yourself so the stream of water won't hit his head and face. Keep a small, dry towel nearby to wipe his face if he gets upset when it does get wet or if soap gets in his eyes. And limit the shower to just a few minutes. Follow your child's lead if he cries, and don't force it. Some children just don't enjoy the feeling of water pouring onto them from above and would rather get clean sitting in a tub of warm water.Your child can take a shower without being held as soon as he's able to walk. But you'll still need to stay close by to make sure he's safe and to handle the soaping, shampooing, and rinsing. To prevent falls, place a non-slip mat in the shower.

By Mayuri Jayasinghe