We know that your baby's first bath is a special milestone- and it should be remembered for all the right reasons, not as a stressful or anxious time. And since nobody really teaches you how, we’ve put together a quick guide on how to bath your newborn safely and easily.
NHS advice to new parents used to be to give baby their first bath as soon as possible after birth. In fact, many new mums were once shown how to do this in the hospital before being discharged. The guidelines have changed however, and now experts agree that baby's first bath should be delayed for 24 hours (or at least 6, if that isn’t possible due to cultural reasons). Lots of new families choose to wait a few days before giving baby their first bath.
There are a few reasons why it might be better to wait before you give baby their first bath. Some babies may experience a drop in body temperature, which in turn can lead to a drop in blood sugar too.
Doctors also believe that skin to skin contact for as long as possible straight after birth is vital too; lots recommend delaying the first bath so that parent and child can get as much benefit from it as possible.
Your baby’s skin can also play a factor in why its recommended to delay baby’s first bath. Newborn skin is covered in a waxy substance called vernix, which acts as a natural moisturiser. The longer the vernix is left on the skin, the better.
If you do decide to wait a few days before you bath your baby, you can always give your baby a gentle wash instead. Read this post for more information on how to do a top and tail wash.
Your baby’s umbilical stump usually falls off around 5 days or so after birth, and some parents prefer to wait until after this before giving baby their first bath. However, it is safe to give your baby a bath before it falls off. Read this post for more information and guidance on how to care for your baby’s umbilical stump.
Ready? Baby is awake, been fed (at least 30 minutes before bath time) and in good spirits? Here’s your ultimate guide on how to bath a newborn baby.
There are some bath time essentials you’ll need to get ready before you start. These include:
Make sure the bathroom is warm and free from draughts. Remember, your baby can’t regulate their body temperature, so keeping them as warm as possible is really important.
When you’re ready and you have everything you need, make sure baby is in a safe place and run the bath. Add cold water first, then hot- and make sure you swish the water to disperse hot spots. Use a bath thermometer to check the temperature.
Gently lay baby on a soft blanket and use a bamboo washcloth to clean the face, taking care around the eyes.
Strip baby down to nappy and gently clean the upper body, under the chin and under the arms.
Remove baby's nappy and gently wash the area, again with warm water and a silky soft bamboo washcloth.
Use both hands to lift your baby and lower them into the water. Place one arm on your baby's shoulders and neck, holding baby's outside arm with your hand. Place your other hand under baby's bottom, and in this position lower them gently into the water. When your baby is safely in the water, you can remove your bottom hand.
Keep hold of your baby throughout bathtime, using your other hand to gently scoop water onto the skin. When you're ready, use both hands to gently lift baby from the water. Bring them to your chest and hold them against the warmth of your handsfree towel.
Holding baby with one hand, use your other one to lift the bottom corner of the towel up so that you can hook the hood over baby's head.
Then wrap the rest of the towel around your baby, and cuddle them dry.
You did it. Baby’s first bath: done and dusted!
Just a quick word on babies and why they might cry at bathtime… There are three main reasons why your baby might seem to hate bath time at first. Your baby could be cold, tired or hungry.
Using the handsfree towel will help to minimise the risk of your baby being cold after bath time, making it easier to wrap them up warm and cosy as quickly as possible.
If you think your baby is tired, keep everything short and sweet and gradually lengthen bath time as they get older. If your baby is hungry, having everything you need for a feed ready to go is a really good idea.
Sometimes though, your baby might just cry at bath time as they’re getting used to this brand new experience. Try to stay as calm as you can, and just know that in time, this will pass.
]]>The early days with a new baby can be a steep learning curve, and never more so than when it comes to sleep! But before you despair, we've teamed up with the fabulous Babbu to bring you five top sleep tips for new parents. This post is written by the lovely Sophie, who told us of Babbu:
“Babbu is an online learning platform designed to support, reassure and empower parents and their children in the first critical few years. Our activities respect children’s individuality allowing them to be true to themselves, and help develop their respect for others, the community and the environment. We provide tailored educational activities and content to support parents, at home – our aim is to make Early Years Education easy, accessible and fun.”
So, over to Sophie.
When you become a parent for the first time, you step into a world of startling and thrilling changes. Along with the delight of having your little one in your life who is developing every day, you may also face challenges related to feeding, entertaining, and sleeping.
Unfortunately, many new parents experience sleep problems after the birth of their baby. You might lie awake waiting for your little one to cry, or you might find it difficult to get back to sleep after a nightly feeding.
New mothers are more likely to have insomnia, daytime sleepiness, anxiety, depression, restless sleep, and exhaustion.
Your sleep, especially when you have a newborn, is important as it aids with memory formation, tissue and cell repair, and prevents you from getting sick. Getting enough sleep gives you the energy to enjoy the following day with your little one.
Between the nighttime wakings and feedings and the stress of having a child, falling or staying asleep can be difficult for new parents.
Here are a few effects of sleep deprivation that are particularly important for new parents to be aware of:
You won’t feel like this forever. Really!
Sleep deprivation is expected, so we have compiled some tips for you to help you get that extra wink of sleep:
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Visiting a baby show is a must have for new parents. Read how to make the most of your visit when your shop for your newborn essentials.
There's nothing worse than wandering around a baby show with no idea which brands are going to be there, or even what you want to buy! Unless, of course, you're ultra organised, have all you need already, and just want a mooch around!
So before you book your tickets, do you research! We love a good checklist here at Cuddledry, and its a really great way to organise your visit, as you plan out what you need for your baby and what you can put onto a git list. But it’s not just what you want to buy that needs researching…
You’ve chosen your nearest show- but how are you going to get there? Do they have good travel links to the exhibition centre, or do you need to drive? If you’re getting the train or other public transport, will you be able to carry your shopping ok?
You’ll also need to research the timings of the show too. If there are two entry times, is it better to travel in the afternoon to skip the morning rush hour traffic, or do you prefer to get there early and get home early too?
It’s also worth considering which day you want to attend the show too- Fridays tend to be more quiet and are great if you’re on maternity leave; Saturdays are generally the busiest day, so expect a lot more traffic and a busy exhibition centre; Sundays tend to be less busy than Saturdays, but can still be a popular day to attend.
You need a shopping partner, especially if you’re pregnant and planning on buying a lot. Even if you’re not currently expecting or your little one is already here, having a shopping partner means you have someone to help carry the heavier items and let’s face it, shopping is always better with a good friend!
The show website will display who is available to shop with on the day, so check that that the brands you want to visit are exhibiting. Make a note of their stand number too, so that you can plan out your schedule a little.
Some baby show visitors bring a list of the exhibitors they don’t want to miss, some bring a checklist to make sure they don’t miss anyone, and some even bring a spreadsheet with everything they want to buy and from who!
It’s up to you how organised you are, but it does make sense to research which brands will there on the day, and how to find them.
The show website will also display details of any scheduled talks or demonstrations taking place. These can be product demos, baby first aid lectures or talks from authors and other parenting experts. Make a list of the events you want to attend, and add them in to your calendar so you don’t miss them.
Every show will have the basic facilities such as toilets and baby chaining, but its a good idea to check where they are so you can find them easily. Also check if there’s a pick up service where you can store bigger items you’ve bought, to collect when you leave. Nobody wants to be carrying round a baby bath or a crib all day!
Remember that spreadsheet we mentioned earlier? Its actually a really good idea- but it doesn’t necessarily need to be quite so intense.
Make a list of the things you want to look at, and the things you definitely want to buy. Then cross them off as you get them. Lots of brands will have special show offers at the show that you won’t be able to get online or in shops, and there’s nothing worse than missing out because you forgot to get them!
Lots of brands also offer special discounts or the chance to win a prize with them if you sign up to their mailing list. This is a great way to get good deals on items you either can’t get at the show or haven’t decided on yet. Plus its a great way to pass on a saving to friends and family who want o buy you a gift too.
It’s so easy to overspend when you’re surrounded by all the latest gadgets and new baby must-haves. But if you have a budget, then try to stick to it. Cash isn’t always the most preferred payment option these days, but it does help if you bring a certain amount of money and agree to stick to spending that only.
If you have your list ready, you’re more likely to stick to your budget- and don’t forget that anything you see that wasn’t on your list, you could get a discount on after the show if you sign up to the mailing list.
Baby shows can be exhausting! During busy periods, the exhibition centres can get hot and crowded in places, and there’s a lot to take in too. And if you’re pregnant, the shows can be really hard work. So take regular breaks. Lots of shows will have rest areas and cafe/ eating areas where you can sit and recover until you’re ready to start shopping again.
Keep an eye on our socials for details of the latest shows we’re attending. We LOVE meeting lots of new and expectant parents at the shows- we offer live demos of the handsfree towel, plus we always have show exclusive offers on our best sellers too. Lastly, we hope you enjoy the experience! Shopping for your new baby is exciting, and there are lots of amazing baby brands out there. Have fun, and hopefully we’ll see you soon!
]]>Water play is a great way for babies to learn and develop skills. Read our tips from experts discussing the benefits of water play at bathtime.
We’ve teamed up with our friends at Babbu once more, to bring you some expert tips on how to make the most of water play at bathtime. But what exactly is water play, and why is it so important for early learning? Babbu told us:
“Water play, whether indoors or out, can foster cognitive development, teach mathematics and scientific concepts, enhance physical skills, promote social learning and cooperative effort, and enrich language experiences.
Water play is an open-ended activity that will allow your little ones to express themselves by playing freely. Adding some cups, buckets, spoons or ladles, will develop visual motor skills like filling and pouring.
Filling, scooping and pouring activities help develop fine motor skills as well as using math concepts such as less and more. This activity will help your baby coordinate their hand movements with what they are seeing and feeling.”
Starting to understand the world around us is an essential part of development and there are so many ways that you can help your baby to do this. We’re all continually learning- we don’t ever stop!- but for babies, the learning leaps can be huge!
We asked Babbu how bathtime can be used as an opportunity to help develop essential skills for your little ones:
“Different objects sink or float in the water due to the amount of oxygen in the object. Being in the bath is a perfect way for your little one to begin to understand this and develop the cognitive skill of cause and effect. This means that they begin to learn that they can manipulate the world around them and have an outcome.
The introduction of numerous sinking or floating objects that you decide to use will aid in their language development e.g. block, spoon, box, cup, container, bottle, cork etc. Your child will also exercise abilities like organisation, focus, coordination, and independence. Additionally, it will aid in the growth of their fine motor abilities, including hand-eye coordination.
When splashing and dropping objects in the water, your child will be able to experiment with a variety of media while engaging in whole-body movement. Your youngster will be able to investigate texture and weight, making it a fun and engaging multi-sensory experience for them!”
There are loads of everyday items around the house that can be used in your water play at bathtime. Babbu has some great suggestions:
‘Spare shampoo bottles? Don’t throw them away, keep them for your little one to play with!
Pouring and transferring water is a great way for your little one to learn early mathematical concepts. For example, weight, shape and size. How? When the bottles become filled up with water, your little one will begin to realise that the bottles become heavier, and that smaller bottles are lighter than the larger ones. If you don’t have shampoo bottles, you could use plastic containers from the kitchen cupboard.
Sponges are also great for their physical development, particularly the refinement of their fine motor skills. These skills include opening and closing their fists to squeeze the water out.”
Bathtime’s a great opportunity for teaching social skills too:
“During bath time, observe your youngster playing with their boat for a few minutes before asking if you can have a turn.
Prompt them to take a turn or trade them for another toy. Start playing with a different toy later on, and when they become interested and begin to point or ask for it, say something like, "Your turn!" so they can see sharing modelled for them.”
Babbu is the UK’s first online nursery™; designed to support, reassure and empower parents and their children in the first critical few years. Our activities respect children’s individuality allowing them to be true to themselves, help develop their respect for others, the community and the environment. We provide tailored educational activities and content to support parents, at home – our aim is to make Early Years Education easy, accessible and fun.”
Join our community here: Your Virtual Village | Take advantage of 3 months’ free access to Babbu here!
]]>Bathtime is an opportunity for your baby to learn more about the world around them. Read how to make every bathtime a learning opportunity.
We’re huge advocates of making the most of bathtime and grabbing every opportunity to learn with both hands. Being in the water in itself is a whole sensory experience, and adding in one or two games can really enhance that experience for your baby.
We’ve teamed up with Babbu again to bring you some great tips for turning bath time into a wonderful opportunity for your baby to learn more about themselves and the world around them. Babbu are the UK’s first online nursery, designed to support, reassure and empower parents and their children in the first critical few years. Here are their top tips for making the most of bathtime with your child.
Babbu told us that many parents are held back from really enjoying bathtime with their toddler thanks to a previous bad experience in the tub. Sound familiar?
“Yes, your little one might have had one of these in the past and now is not very keen on hopping into the bath now. This could be down to a few reasons, such as the loud sound of the water, it might have been too cold or too hot, having a fear of going down the drain with the water, or that they once got bubbles in their eyes. To encourage your little one to step back in, keep it short and sweet, and allow them to choose what to play with and for how long. Encourage pretend play and switch up the person who does the bath if you can!
When your little one feels a bit more confident to take a bath, here are a few ideas as to how bathtime and washing can support their key areas of development:
As your little one begins to learn how to clean themselves, this can provide them with a positive sense of self and encourages a ‘can do attitude’. This greatly supports the development of their independence, as they begin to understand that they can achieve things by themselves with an adult to do things for them.
If your little one enjoys you washing them, you could always give them a toy doll or animal in the bath, and encourage them to clean their toy instead. Learning to look after other objects can support their personal, social and emotional development!
Count your little one’s fingers, toes, arms and legs together! This will support their mathematical knowledge of numbers, counting in sequences and recognising fixed quantities, meaning that they will soon begin to associate the number name with the number of fixed objects e.g. their toes!
Your little one may begin to be reacting to the sensation of bubbles and the water on their skin. Try to use descriptive words during bathtime play, such as “Can you feel the soft bubbles, pop, pop, popping on your skin?”, or ‘“Is the water warm, or cold?”
Talk to your little one about hygiene and the importance of keeping clean. For example, you could say that if we don’t wash, we might get ill and then we will have to stay at home and not go and see our friends. Let them know that they can keep themselves clean throughout the day.
Reading stories to your little one is a great way to extend their vocabulary, practice their listening and attention skills, and spend
some quality time together! When your little one hears you reading a story or just sharing general chit-chat, they will be learning new words and hearing the different tones in your voice. Not only this but talking about how they can use their body to make things happen, like popping bath bubbles on top of the water or using their hands to make a big splash!
Our activities respect children’s individuality allowing them to be true to themselves, help develop their respect for others, the community and the environment. We provide tailored educational activities and content to support parents, at home – our aim is to make Early Years Education easy, accessible and fun.”
Join our community here: Your Virtual Village | Take advantage of 3 months’ free access to Babbu here!
]]>Bathtime is a great time for babies to learn about themselves. This activity teaches independence and body awareness and is great for all ages. Our friends at Babbu share their top tips for making the most of bathtime, and how a simple washing game can support your little one’s development:
Your baby’s personal, social and emotional development is crucial for their wellbeing, learning potential and relationship successes in later life. Supporting this will help your baby start to develop essential skills needed for building relationships, becoming aware of themselves and others, and to regulate their own behaviour in social situations.
Bathtime is a great opportunity for you to help nurture these skills early on. Babbu told us:
"This simple activity is great for supporting your little one’s personal, social and emotional development, as they get to know what makes them! In addition, this supports the development of their identity and sense of self, as they begin to learn about what makes them unique. For example, they might learn about the texture of their hair, the colour of their eyes and if they have dimples on their cheeks.
To help them make these connections, you could relate them to your own body e.g. “Daddy has short brown hair, and Mummy has long ginger hair”, or “Daddy has big hands, can you show me your little hands?”
Babbu recommends helping your little one to learn about their own body with a simple washing activity:
Bath time is an excellent opportunity for your little one to learn about what makes them, them! Giving your little ones a bath or wash is a perfect time to teach them about their body. They begin to understand what each body part can do as they explore different ways of moving them.
Your baby will love hearing your voice, so they will have a blast listening to the different names of their body as you wash them and describe them.
Point to your arms, legs and toes to show them that you have the same too!
We’re huge advocates of talking and singing to your baby at bathtime, an activity that Babbu agrees has the potential to consolidate the skills your baby is learning as they wash themselves:
For example, as you wash your little one, why not sing a song to them? We made this one up, sung along to the tune of ‘Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush’:
‘This is the way we wash your toes
Wash your toes, wash your toes,
This is the way we wash your toes,
On a cold and frosty morning!’
You can repeat this with their fingers, and toes too. This also provides an opportunity for mathematical learning, so why not count the number of fingers and toes as you go? Your little one will be able to hear number names, and begin to understand that they have ten fingers and ten toes!
Cuddledry’s tips: use a silky soft bamboo washcloth or a natural sea sponge for washing. Both are small enough for little hands to hold, and naturally kind to delicate skin too.
Babbu is the UK’s first online nursery™; designed to support, reassure and empower parents and their children in the first critical few years. Our activities respect children’s individuality allowing them to be true to themselves, help develop their respect for others, the community and the environment. We provide tailored educational activities and content to support parents, at home – our aim is to make Early Years Education easy, accessible and fun.”
]]>The 4th trimester is a crucial part of your newborn’ baby's life- a time to bond and adjust to the world. Read more about the 4th trimester:
The fourth trimester is a term coined by Dr Harvey Karp and it refers to the 12 week period immediately following the birth of your baby. It’s a time of great change for you, your family and your baby- a time where everyone needs to adjust to a brand new person in the world.
For your newborn, everything they know has changed. They’re suddenly in the outside world, and it’s nothing like the existence they’d known previously. This can be a huge shock for babies, and adjusting to the world can be hard at first.
There are lots of apps and devices out there designed to try and re-create the conditions in the womb for new babies. That’s why white noise is so effective in helping them to sleep-it sounds a lot like the noises babies are used to hearing in utero.
For a new baby, the world can be extremely over-stimulating- all the new sounds, sights, smells and sensations they’re being introduced to constantly is huge!
During the 4th trimester, your baby will go through a lots of changes as their hearing and vision develops and is fine-tuned. They start to take in more of the world around them, becoming more vocal as they do it. Became, yes, they will cry. Probably a lot.
As a new mum, the fourth trimester is also a time of great changes. Your body has been through a lot, and is continuing to change as your hormones now work to produce milk for your baby- whether you choose to breastfeed or not.
Other physical changes are taking place too, as your body recovers from pregnancy and birth- your tummy will be swollen for a while after birth, you may have cuts or tears to heal from, or a larger wound if you had a caesarean section. You may experience sore or painful breasts, night sweats and fatigue as you adjust to life as a new mum. And emotionally there’s a lot going on too.
After birth, your hormones are likely to be a little erratic and you could be feeling a little low, tearful or anxious for a few day. This is completely normal, but its important to recognise it and ask for support if you’re feeling particularly low for a longer period of time. There’s a lot to deal with during the fourth trimester, so accept help if its offered, and if it’s not, then ask for it.
On top of all the emotional and physical changes taking place, you also have a brand new baby to care for, and all the additional challenges that this brings. And let’s not forget the broken nights and frequent feeds.
The fourth trimester can be a lot, very quickly. And its easy for us to tell you that you need to rest- but honestly, if the chance arises, then take it. Taking care of a new baby can be exhausting in the early days, and this is the time where your body- and your baby- really needs you to put your own care at the top of your priority list too.
Yes, the fourth trimester can seem daunting, but you have a brand new little one to nurture and to love- so there are some incredibly beautiful moments to be enjoyed at this time too. Here are ten things you should know about the fourth trimester, that might just help you make the most of this precious time with your baby.
Newborn babies have something called the Moro, or startle reflex. You might have noticed your baby doing it already, when they seem to literally jump out of their own skin all of a sudden. This is normal, the body’s natural reaction to a loud noise or sudden movement, but it can also happen seemingly randomly as your baby sleeps too.
Swaddling or wrapping your baby (safely) in a blanket or large muslin cloth can help them to feel safe and protected. Swinging or swaying gently can also help at this time, as the motion mimics the sensation of being in utero, helping baby to feel relaxed and calm.
Read Dr Harvey Karp’s advice on swaddling here, and safety advice on from the Lullaby Trust here.
Skin to skin as soon as possible after birth is an amazing way to not only bond with your baby, but to help them feel safe and secure too.
Studies, like this one, have also shown that babies who have skin to skin contact with their parent is able to regulate their own body temperature more quickly, and this can also help with establishing breastfeeding too. It’s especially recommend for low birth weight babies or babies born early.
And it doesn’t have to be just after birth either. Skin to skin during the fourth trimester is always beneficial, so try to do this as much as you can during this time. Bathtime is great opportunity for skin to skin.
In case you needed reminding- babies are supposed to wake frequently for feeds- so don’t assume your baby is going to ‘sleep through’ any time soon. Especially during the fourth trimester, your baby is going to wake at least every 2-4 hours for a feed, so embrace this if you can. Enjoy those precious cuddles- but get someone else to help out if you need them to.
If you’re breastfeeding, your partner can help out by winding the baby afterwards, and you can also express some milk for a bottle when they’re a little older too. The night feeds can seem lonely at times, but accepting that it’s just part of this special time can make it a little easier to get through.
Bathtime is a whole body sensory experience for babies, but not all of them are going to love it straight away. The new sensation of being undressed (and cold!) and placed into water takes some getting used to. And then imagine taking them out of that nice, warm water and back into a cold room again!
This is where the handsfree towel really is an essential new baby must-have. You want to wrap your baby up as quickly as you can once they’re out of the water, so having it there ready to go is a game changer. And because you wear it like an apron, the towel traps your body heat inside it’s double layers, so when you scoop them up out of the water, they’re instantly cosy and you can just enjoy cuddles. Bliss!
Read more about what to do if your baby cries at bathtime.
We’re all different, and even those women who seem to ‘snap back after childbirth without a fuss’ may still have some recovering to do behind closed doors. Pregnancy is a huge deal. So many changes take place, and carrying a baby can be a huge stressor on the body. Childbirth is an additional stress on top of this, and both can have an emotional impact too.
The fact of the matter is that recovery from pregnancy and birth doesn’t happen overnight. It can take up to 12 months to recover fully, so don’t rush it. Rest as much as you can.
Your mental health is important, and especially in the forth trimester. There is just so much going on at this time, and you’re likely experiencing less sleep too, which can only exacerbate low mood or anxiety. Speak out if you’re struggling- there is support out there for you.
And please don’t assume that this only goes for the fourth trimester. Post natal depression can be diagnosed as late as two years post birth, so even if your baby is a little older, your emotional wellbeing still counts.
Yes, it’s hard. Being woken frequently and having a whole new person to care for 24/7 is hard work. And it’s really ok to admit that. Nobody is perfect, there is no such thing as ‘super mum’. We’re all just doing our best, so if you’re finding that the fourth trimester is hard work, know that you’er definitely not alone.
It’s both normal and expected to gain weight and for your body to change during pregnancy. Your breasts will grow, you’ll store more fat (to produce milk for your baby) and you might experience a whole host of other side effects- ranging from piles to varicose veins, swollen feet, headaches and even a sudden appearance of curly hair- it can happen! But it’s normal. And it’s normal for things to take a while to settle back again too.
Remember we said that it can take up to 12 months to recover from pregnancy and birth? It’s true.
We won’t lie, some days will be tough. But know that this too shall pass.
No matter what we say, or the books say, or the lady next door says… YOU know your baby best. You are your baby’s world. You’re their advocate and the only person who truly knows them inside out. Trust your instincts and do what works for you and your family.
The fourth trimester is a time of great change. Emotionally and physically, there’s a lot going on, plus your baby is working hard to adjust to life in the outside world too. This is the time to take things slowly, to help your baby settle into the world, and to take care of your own wellbeing too.
You can expect sleepless nights, a long recovery from pregnancy and birth and some especially joyful moments and you become a new family.
The fourth trimester can be hard work. You’ve been through a lot with pregnancy and childbirth and your baby is 100% reliant on you for everything. It can be hard at first, knowing what your baby needs- but it does get easier. Trust your instincts and remember that whatever you’re going through soon shall pass.
Your baby undergoes huge physical and developmental changes during the fourth trimester. They will become more aware of the world around them, develop their vision, be able hear more and will start to recognise your voice above all others. s
During the fourth trimester, your baby will learn new skills, begin to communicate with you and will eventually learn to adjust to life outside the womb. It’s an exciting and magical time, but hard work none the less.
Try to remember that the fourth trimester is such a short time in your baby’s life, albeit an intense one. As your baby grows and develops new skills, you will start to see more of their personality and the person they’re destined to be. You will interact more with them, play more and you’ll even get some smiles eventually.
All of this is to say, try to enjoy these days as much as you can, but don’t be afraid to admit when things are hard. You’re allowed to feel drained, exhausted and frustrated, that doesn’t take away from the amazing moments.
Rest when you can. Take time to enjoy gentle exercise. Get outside every day if you can and take lots of photos. Enjoy skin to skin, take a bath together, practise baby massage. Most importantly, be kind to yourself. Accept help if its offered and ask for it if it isn’t.
]]>There are plenty of ways to make bath time fun and productive. Cuddledry and Babbu explore how to encourage independence at bath time!
Here at Cuddledry, we’re passionate about making bathtime as easy and stress-free as we can for new parents. And as your child grows older, we’re all about making it fun, too! This week we’ve teamed up with our friends at Babbu, the UK’s first online nursery- designed to support, reassure and empower parents and their children in the first critical few years. Babbu have very kindly agreed to share their thoughts on how you can encourage independence at bathtime with your child.
Read on to discover their top tips, and how you can make bathtime a really valuable learning experience.
Babbu says,
“Bathtime can be a fun and educational experience for children of all ages. With the right tools and guidance, parents can help their kids learn how to become more independent throughout bathtime. There are plenty of ways to make bath time both fun and productive. Let's explore some tips on how to encourage independence at bath time!”
Bathtime can be a little scary at first, and it’s not always easy to hand over the reigns- but don’t be afraid to let them have some age appropriate responsibilities. Here’s Babbu’s advice:
“Have them turn on the water, ensuring that the right tap is turned, or allow them to choose three or four toys to play with. Giving your little one a small responsibility makes them feel important.
When in the bath, your little one may want to try how to soap up the sponge or pour some lotion onto it too. Let your little one hear the words ‘more’ or ‘less’ as they squeeze the bottle, as this will also allow them to distinguish between quantities - perfect for early mathematical learning!
Ask questions such as ‘Can you wash your nose?’, as this will help them make connections between their body part and its name. You can always demonstrate this if they find it hard to identify it without a mirror and seeing themselves.”
We recommend a silly soft bamboo washcloth or a natural sea sponge to help little ones learn how to wash themselves independently. Both are small enough for little hands to hold and safe to use on delicate skin, so perfect for babies, toddlers and beyond.
Getting out of the bath can be just as much fun as being in there- especially if your little ones has a super cute dress up towel from our Bamboo Fun collection. We’re taking dinosaur, bunny, panda, penguin, monkey and even a cheeky elf!
Babbu’s tips for fostering independence when getting out of the tub centre around getting dry too:
“When your little one is out of the bath, hand them the towel! Encourage them to hold the towel, and let them explore how to dry themselves. Give your little one time to see how a dry towel becomes damp after use and their body becomes dry. If you like, you can help your little one understand this by feeling the damp towel too.”
Fed up of the ‘time to get dressed’ battle? Let them take over. Babbu says,
“Allow your little one to choose their clothes for bedtime or the daytime, depending on when bathtime happens during the day. Describe the clothes that they have chosen too, for example, “You chose the red striped top, you must love that top!”.
This helps your little one develop and extend their vocabulary and language relating to colours and patterns. As they are choosing which clothes to put on first, ask them questions such as “I wonder where your socks belong, do they go on your hands or your feet?”. Asking silly questions like this provides your little one with a bit of fun and makes what could be a ‘chore’ into a more welcome task.”
“Our activities respect children’s individuality allowing them to be true to themselves, help develop their respect for others, the community and the environment. We provide tailored educational activities and content to support parents, at home – our aim is to make Early Years Education easy, accessible and fun.”
Join our community here: Your Virtual Village | Take advantage of 3 months’ free access to Babbu here!"
]]>Packing your hospital bag is one pregnancy milestone that many women look forward to doing, but it’s also one that can suddenly seem quite daunting too! There are lots of hospital bag checklists out there, but there are also lots of mums who are more than happy to share advice too.
With all that 'help', can start to become overwhelming! We don’t want to add to that, so we’re including only items that we feel are really helpful, along with some tips on how to pack so that everything is where you need it, when you need it.
Its a really good idea to pack separate bags for you and your baby, so that nothing gets muddled up and you’re able to grab what you need quickly and easily. That said, try to resist the temptation to pack too much, as there might not be a lot room once you get to the hospital.
Your main bag should be around the size of a weekend bag, with enough room to hold another bag for during labour. This will keep everything tidy and in one place. Keep room for essential items at the top so they're easily accessible.
Your baby’s main bag won’t be needed until after birth, so make sure your partner knows where it is.
Leave room in your bag for your toiletries. We recommend our Baby & Me family organiser bag for this, because it has two separate colour coded sides. This means you can keep your toiletries separate from your baby’s without the need for yet another bag!
The general advice is to have your hospital bag ready to go from around 36 weeks onwards- but this could depend on your own situation. There’s certainly no harm in being organised a little early. Keep it an easy to grab place once it's ready and make sure that everyone who needs to know is able to locate it quickly if needed.
So, what do you actually need in your hospital bag? The answer to this can vary depending on who you ask, so take our lists as guidance only, and then you can add or remove items according to your own needs.
Your labour bag can fit inside your main bag so that it’s organised and ready to go when you need it. We recommend the following:
Keep these at the top so that they’re easily accessible at all times.
Again, keep this accessible in your labour bag so that you can direct your partner or medial staff towards it when needed.
Essential when the temperatures start to rise!
Its important to stay hydrated, so make sure you can re-fill your bottle whenever you need to.
A damp bamboo washcloth is a great way to cool down during labour and can be used to remove makeup/ freshen up too.
Nobody wants their hair around their face when they’re concentrating on giving birth! Hair bobbles are essential if your hair is long.
To keep dry lips moisturised and soothed.
Hospitals can be noisy places and you might want to switch off for a while with your own music.
Nobody really wears those hospital gowns by choice, so if you’re going to be more comfortable in your own things this is a great option.
This is the bag that you’re going to need after your baby is born and this makes up the second half of your main bag. You might need help accessing this bag after birth, so the organised the better!
For obvious reasons- and make sure it’s a long one so that you can plug your phone in and still be able to reach it!
Flip flops for the shower, and slippers for comfort back on the ward. Comfy socks work just as well!
If you’ve got the space at the hospital and you know you rest easier with your own pillow then don’t be afraid to bring it.
For obvious reasons- you really don’t want to be caught out on this one. Period pants are a great, eco-friendly option as they can be washed and re-used safely and easily.
Once you’ve had that glorious first shower, you’re going to want clean clothes to change into. Don’t forget underwear!
Your baby’s bag only needs to be small, but there are some essentials you definitely need to remember.
This is one top tip we think all pregnant mums need to know! You can get a few biodegradable reusable bags from the supermarket (Sainsbury’s and Morrisons have them in the fresh product aisle!) and use them to organise your baby’s outfits.
In each bag, pack a vest, mittens, sleep suit, nappy and hat. Then each time your baby needs an outfit change, rather than rummaging around for all the separate pieces, you’ve got them all there to hand. Such a clever time saver!
Newborn nappies are essential- and bamboo cloths can be used with warm water to clean the nappy area gently.
Whether you breast-feed or bottle feed, you’re going to need the bits and bobs that make it happen. So breast pads are a good idea, or sterilised bottles and formula if you need them. You might also want to pack a dummy too.
You will need items for yourself for during labour and after the birth. You'll also need items for the baby too. Make sure you bring your hospital notes and birth plan if you have one.
A comfy nightie or long shirt is also a good idea for during labour, and some women also like to bring headphones to listen to music. After birth, you will need maternity pads or period pants, clean clothes to change into and slippers or flip-flops. Your baby will need nappies, clothes and make sure you bring feeding equipment too.
Check our list for other essentials and 'nice to have' items for your hospital bag.
Your baby will need nappies and soft bamboo cloths to use in place of baby wipes. You will also need to bring clothes: vests, sleep suits, hat, mittens and cardigan depending on the temperature. You will also need to bring any equipment you need for feeding.
The NHS advises to have your hospital bag ready by around 3 weeks before your due date.
Your partner can also pack a bag for the time that you're in hospital, especially in case you're there for a long time. Useful items to pack include snacks, money, change of clothes, wash bag.
]]>It's that time of year again. The shops are heaving, the online sales are buzzing, and in just a few short weeks Christmas will be all over again for another year. But how do you guarantee that the gift you spent money on will not only be enjoyed, but will last beyond the big day itself?
With this in mind, we asked some of our favourite small brands about the gifts they see grandparents buying for the little ones at this time of the year- plus, let’s not forget the gifts they’d like to receive too!
Here are our top gift ideas for grandparents and grandchildren- please do share this post, and make sure you check out these fab small businesses too!
Make it extra special. Personalised gifts are huge this year- and its not only a really great way to show that you care, but it can be a lifesaver for busy parents when it comes to keeping track of the kids’ belongings too!
All Cuddledry towels can be personalised at the checkout (we need a little extra time for this service, so please order in plenty of time!) - this is a great option for new baby gifts and gifts for toddlers and older children too.
Trust us, grandchildren will love dressing up after bath time, and parents will be grateful to find a way to make getting out of the bath just as much fun as being in there!
The amazing One Mama One Shed specialises in sustainable engraved gifts we think you’d love. Founded by Siobhan, this gorgeous little brand is all about creating and celebrating special moments, with the aim of bringing you products that are destined to become family heirlooms.
We absolutely love these super cute little enamel mugs, ‘Joy Peace Christmas’- just perfect for a mini cup of hot chocolate on Christmas Eve, and they can be personalised too.
And it's not just gifts for the kids either. We have to say we really like the engraved enamel bowls too- as Siobhan says, these are perfect to ‘tell Grandma or Grandad just how nuts you are about them!’.
Follow One Mama One Shed on Instagram.
For those who want to play in comfort with their grandchildren, without their home looking like a creche, Totter + Tumble are for you! We especially love their new Collaboration Collection with Morris & Co.
These are stunning play mats perfectly created to meet the needs of the whole family. They’re robust yet squishy, designed to keep little ones cushioned on the floor- not to mention grandparents’ knees too! This gorgeous collection feature double-sided play mats with with a heritage design collaboration from Morris & Co® that definitely won’t look out of place when the grandchildren come to play!
Check out this review by Cecily H: "I ordered a Totter and Tumble mat after hearing about it from my daughter, who had bought one for her little boy. It is perfect for visiting grandchildren playing on the floor of our large kitchen, looks great and is is a safe and comfortable. It’s easy to roll up and put away between visitors too. I highly recommend it for anyone with children or grandchildren in houses with hard floors.”
Follow Totter + Tumble on Instagram
Founded by Elizabeth and Emma, Artisanne is home to the most amazing and beautifully handwoven baskets, sourced directly from remote villages near Thiès in Senegal. Artisanne deal directly with the weavers, leaving out the middle man and ensuring that each and every item they sell is of the highest quality.
We LOVE these stunning handwoven trays, complete with handwritten message and complimentary gift wrap- and ideal and unique gift for grandparents this Christmas. Each tray is made from sustainable local ndiorokh grasses and repurposed plastic, and will make an absolutely perfect table centrepiece for festive family meals. Just gorgeous!
Follow Artisanne on Instagram.
Etta Loves was “created to turn everyday essentials into sensory sensations, by using the science of what babies can and can’t see to create clever and stunning patterns. The result is that babies are mesmerised and supported in their visual and cognitive development, whilst parents benefit from a priceless moment of calm.”
This Christmas, we think you’ll love the Etta Loves organic cotton, padded plant print playmat- providing the perfect stimulation for tummy time and playtime. The scientifically designed, reversible pattern will captivate for the whole of babies first year. They will push up to make sense of the print, encouraging them to use their back, neck and shoulder muscles, and making tummy time more fun!
Not only that but the patterns are scientifically designed to support babies' visual and cognitive development. The playmat comes in our gorgeous box packaging with a band to hold the mat together when rolled up - great for visiting grandchildren, making it perfect for home and away and guaranteeing a calm and happy first Christmas!
Follow Etta Loves on Instagram
Bundle Beds are ideal for those super special sleepovers! Each bundle has everything that you need for a brilliant night’s sleep – yes, it’s ALL included!
A deceptively-comfortable self-inflating mattress, a luxury duvet and a pillow with ultra-cosy cotton sheets. These fab little kids beds are an ideal next step on from a travel cot, and the Classic beds are perfect for adults or kids too- so perfect for when the whole family stay over!
From traveling the world and family camping adventures, to sleepovers at Grandma’s, sleep is never compromised with Bundle Beds- and we think these would make such a unique yet practical gift this Christmas! No need to inflate an air bed, no need to re-organise to create a spare room, no need to stress! Just unclip, unroll, unzip and unwind.
Follow Bundle Beds on instagram
Excuse the pun, but we really hope this little guide has been useful. All the brands mentioned are fab little businesses we're proud to support here at Cuddledry. We know that this year in particular, mindful gifting is really important, and we just wanted to say thank you in advance for supporting our small businesses. It really does make a huge difference to us. Any like, share, comment or purchase is so very much appreciated- and leaving a review helps us all enormously. Thank you!
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A question many new parents ask: ‘How often should I bath my baby?’ - and the simple answer is, it depends. But don’t worry- we won’t leave you high and dry! Read on to find out how often your baby really needs a bath, and when to give them that all important first bath.
Let's face it, while your baby is tiny, they don't really get too 'dirty' throughout the day. For this reason, many new parents decide to do baby bathtime a little less frequently- say, every other day, or 2-3 times a week.
Others though, decide that they want to establish a bathtime routine early on, and they might choose to do baby bathtime every night. There is no rule- you do what suits your family.
Generally speaking, most babies will be ok with a top & tail wash every other day, in between bathtime. The only exception to this is, obviously, the odd nappy explosion! And if you've been there, you'll know there's really nothing else for it. It's bathtime!
Experts now agree that your baby’s first bath can be delayed by up to a week, or even longer if you choose. The reason why baby’s first bath doesn’t need to be rushed are all outlined in our post on how to bath a newborn- but in a nutshell:
Generally speaking, your newborn baby will probably only need a bath once a week for the first few weeks. In between this, a quick top & tail wash will be fine.
Your newborn has very delicate skin, so keeping bath time less frequent at first is a good idea, to keep the skin from drying out. You should avoid soap until your baby is at least 4-6 weeks old, and keep the whole process short and sweet too.
As your baby gets a little older, you can start to increase the amount of times you bath them, and you night find they want to stay in a little longer too. Every other day, or 2-3 times a week is often a good schedule for babies around this age.
You can use some mild soap for your baby’s bath if you wish, but make sure you read the label to check for ingredients that could irritate the skin.
Babies between the ages of 3-6 months still only really need a bath every other day. They’re still not really getting that ‘dirty’ (give or take the nappy explosions we mentioned earlier!) and their skin is still very susceptible to irritation.
At this age however, babies really start to show an interest in games and playful activities, so if your little one enjoys bath time and it works for your routine, you can increase the frequency to start to establish a good bedtime routine.
By the age of 9 months, lots of babies are sitting up and engaging with activities and toys, so bath time can be a really fun part of the day. Lots of families find that by this age, their baby enjoys bath time daily- although there is nothing wrong with sticking to an ‘every other day’ routine at this point too.
Yes, you can bath your baby every day if you wish to. Some families find that having baby bath time every night helps them to establish a good routine, especially when there are other children to factor in. It’s a well known fact that bathtime can help massively when it comes to building a good bedtime routine, and some parents swear by a good splash in tub, followed by a story and then bed. If it works, it works!
Some parents also find that baby bath time is just such an enjoyable experience, that they (and their baby!) want to do it every night.
As already mentioned, your baby does’t need soap or bubble bath until they’re at least 4-6 weeks old. Before that, plain warm water is absolutely fine, and then when they’re older, very mild baby soap can be used.
Lots of parents find that a quick and gentle wash before the bath works well. This way, while your baby is in the tub you can just hold them carefully, swishing warm water onto their skin without worrying about how to give them a wash at the same time.
Fill a bowl with warm water and have a bamboo washcloth ready. Start with your baby’s face, cleaning under the chin and gently around the eyes and ears. Then remove your baby’s nappy, keeping the vest on (baby’s get cold really quickly!). Wash the nappy area, again with warm water and a soft cloth.
For older babies who are sitting up in the bath, you can skip the ‘pre-wash’ and do it in the tub instead. Make sure your baby is steady and use one hand to keep them still if needed. Use a bamboo washcloth with a small amount of soap to gently wash your baby’s nappy area and body. Use just plain water for the face and avoid the eyes. Plain water is fine for baby’s hair too, but you can use a mild shampoo if you want to.
Read more about how to wash your baby’s hair here
]]>Wondering how to care for your new baby’s skin?. We spoke to baby skincare experts, MooGoo, who gave us some insight into just how delicate a newborn baby’s skin is, and what we can do to care for it.
Your newborn baby’s skin is precious! Unlike our own skin, it is much more delicate and needs extra special attention if you’re going to take good care of it. Our expert from MooGoo, makers of eco-friendly, baby-friendly skincare told us,
“A new baby’s skin is much thinner than an adult’s (around 20-30%) so it easy for things like germs or irritants to penetrate their skin, making it more sensitive and prone to irritation, bumps, rashes, and discolouration.”
Knowing that your baby’s skin is thinner and much more delicate than yours, taking on a proper baby skin care routine is very important. Everything that comes into contact with your baby’s skin is easily absorbed, so its vital to thoroughly check the products that you use.
So should we even be using anything on our baby’s skin? While we do recommend using only very minimal products for the first few weeks, once your baby is a little older it is ok to use baby-friendly soaps and creams.
MooGoo’s number one baby skincare tip is to keep it hydrated, but to keep an eye on the ingredients in the products you use.
"A baby’s skin is also less effective at retaining moisture, which leads to dryness,” they told us. “It’s really important to keep their skin protected and moisturised, and to avoid skin care products containing harsh chemicals or cleansers which could strip their skin of their natural oils.”
Always read the labels, and only ever go for products that are specifically made for babies. Adult skincare products will not be suitable for your baby, so keep them out of reach, and have your baby’s things to hand at bath time.
MooGoo told us that natural, healthy and gentle ingredients are the way to go, but you also need to know which ingredients you should be avoiding too.
“What babies don’t need is harmful and stripping ingredients like soap and SLS (they’re not keen on those). A lot of commercial baby washes or baby soaps are made with these and can strip the skin of its natural oils, leaving it very dry – so watch out for those.”
MoGoo also advises to steer clear of synthetic additives too:
“With all of our products, we stand by skipping strong synthetic fragrance, sulfates, parabens, paraffin oil, synthetic preservatives and anything else not-so-nice to baby skin. Instead, we choose to use super soothing, but gentle, natural ingredients like Zinc, beeswax, and natural oils like Soy, Sweet Almond, Jojoba, Evening Primrose and Colloidal Rice Bran.”
We’re often asked how often new baby’s should be bathed, and our answer is always the same. It’s up to you. Newborn babies really don’t need to have a bath every single day, and some families prefer to do a top & tail wash in between.
That said, other families like the routine of bathtime, so when their baby is a little older they end each day with baby bath time. Its up to you- but we’ve shared more guidance on how often to bath your baby in this post if you want to read more.
The official advice for using soap in your baby’s bath is to wait for at least 4-6 weeks. Just plain water is more than enough, and suing anything else can really cause havoc with dry skin and might lead to irritation.
Read this post for more advice on using soap in baby’s bath.
We love MooGoo’s SLS free, 2-1 Bubbly Wash -made with small amounts of five different natural cleansers that are milder on the skin than one concentrated cleanser alone.
For some babies, bath time can dry their skin out a little, so our experts at MooGoo recommend rehydrating straight away. They told us,
“We recommend moisturising babies after bathing, not only to replenish the skin with natural oils, but also because post-bath is when skin drinks up moisture the best. This is even more important when they’re very young as baby skin is still developing a healthy skin barrier and keeping skin moisturised helps keep this intact.”
We love MooGoo’s all natural Soothing Nut-Oil Free Moisturiser- made with Olive Squalane, Allantoin, Aloe Vera & Honey, and absolutely nothing nasty.
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Wondering if bath time will help your baby sleep? Read our tips and create your own baby bath time routine for newborn and beyond!
We humans are creatures of habit, so having a routine can be really beneficial for some, no matter how old we are. A routine helps us to feel safe and secure, and allows us to plan events and activities properly. And when it comes to bedtime, a routine is crucial!
We spoke to Karen Langston, baby expert and sleep coach for Koala & Joe, a new platform for helping parents find and book trusted experts. Read on to discover her top tips for helping baby settle into a routine.
“Bathtime can be something a lot of parents worry about, especially in the early weeks,” Karen told us.
“And some babies can be really unsettled in the bath. Here are some tips for a successful bathtime:
Very tiny babies really don’t need a bath every single night, but lots of families choose to make this a central part of their routine every day. If you’re wondering how often you should bath your baby, check out our post for more information.
The quest for a full night’s sleep is age-old, and every new parent dreams of the day this will finally happen. But did you know that according to experts, a baby is ‘sleeping through’ when they manage a stint of just 5 consecutive hours? So your baby may already be sleeping through!
Our advice? We’re all different. Some babies sleep for longer periods than others. But the fact remains that very tiny babies will always wake up for food at regular intervals, and that is completely normal- and, in fact, crucial for survival. Your baby will ‘sleep through the night’ eventually, we just cannot say when!
If you know that your baby becomes unsettled easily, a routine is probably going to help quite a lot. If your baby is more relaxed and easy going, you might get away with a more flexible approach. But for so many parents, it seems that having some kind of a routine at the end of the day can help the entire family settle down and get ready for bed- not just baby! We need to wind down too.
Naturally, we’re huge advocates for ending the day with bathtime, but there are so many reasons why it’s one of the best ways to help your baby sleep.
Bath time is an amazing whole body sensory experience for babies. It’s a wonderful way for parents to slow down a little, to focus on their baby, the warm water and perhaps even the sound of relaxing music to set the scene.
Karen’s advice:
“Newborns are heat sensitive so keep the water on the cooler side, as if the water is too warm baby might get too sleepy which could impact their bedtime feed- and we want their last feed before bed to be effective.”
And did you know that getting out of the tub also holds the key to a better night's sleep for babies?
When you take baby out of the bath, their body temperature drops quite quickly. This helps to ready the body for sleep, as the change in temperature actually convinces the body that it is now nighttime, and therefore time to sleep. Pretty clever, huh?
It's important not to let the temperature drop too far though, as very new babies cannot regulate their body temperature at all. That's why its always a good idea to have a towel ready to wrap them up in so that they don't get too cold. Luckily the handsfree towel was created for this very purpose!
Karen also recommends trying a little baby massage to further help relax and soothe your baby after the bath:
“After bathtime, try offering a massage to your baby, your baby will be nice and relaxed (and hopefully you will too). It’s such a lovely way to bond with your baby and get them ready for sleep.”
Read more about how to get started with baby massage and how it can help baby sleep in our post.
“Giving baby bathtime as part of their bedtime routine can help your baby to recognise that bedtime/night-time is coming. It is also relaxing for your baby so it can be a soothing tool to help settle them at bedtime. “
So, when is the right time to introduce a bedtime routine? It totally depends on your baby. As already mentioned, some are more susceptible to settling into a fixed routine early on, and others will flourish better if you can be more flexible. The key is to think if your routine as less of a set schedule and more of a ‘flexible order of events’.
What this means is, you can start your bedtime routine from the very moment your baby comes home from the hospital- introducing the same events in the same order each night- for example, bath, feed, bed-, but keeping the timings flexible depending on your baby’s mood etc.
As your baby gets older, you can start to move this routine into more of a structured timetable, with the same events happening in the same order, at the same time. But stay flexible with it, as your baby might not slot into your plans easily at first. Most experts agree that some babies can be as old as 9-12 months before a ‘proper’ routine is established.
Baby awake during the night, then sleeping the day away? Don’t panic. Karen shared her top tips with us:
“Remember babies are born nocturnal as they have had no light in the womb so they need your support to help them learn the difference between night and day and for their circadian rhythm to set in. It is common for babies to actually experience day and night reversal for the first few weeks.
However, you can help improve this by:
Then during then night:
The Cuddledry baby towel has transformed bath time for new parents- from struggle to snuggle! We answer the question: how do I use the handsfree towel?
When we exhibit at the various baby shows around the country, one of the main questions is, why do I actually need the handsfree towel? And we delight in showing each and every new and expectant parent exactly why they need it!
We call it ‘the lightbulb moment’- when they watch our demo and see for themselves just how clever it really is. The Cuddledry handsfree towel is not just a towel…
The handsfree towel is an extra pair of hands, when you really need them. Bathing a new baby can be a daunting experience if you’re never done it before, and there’s no getting around it- you need two hands to safely hold baby and then to lift them from the water.
The problem is that lots of babies HATE getting out of the warm water, only to be laid out on a towel on the floor, or to have to juggle them and the towel as you try to wrap them up. Wet babies are slippery babies, and we ourselves have struggled to execute this part of bathtime safely.
That’s why we invented the handsfree towel! No more juggling a wet baby and a towel. No more tears. No more stress. Just safe, simple and snug.
We’ve already mentioned how daunting bathing a new baby can be, but let’s go over it again briefly. Nobody really shows you how to do it- and yet it’s something that all new parents will have to do, sooner or later.
The Cuddledry handsfree baby bath towel is there to give you peace of mind; it’s a security blanket for new parents, allowing them to actually enjoy bathtimes with their new baby.
Bath time can be stressful. Cold air and new babies is never a good combination- and since these tiny little people are unable to regulate their own body temperatures, getting them wrapped up quickly is vital.
Being cold is the number one reason why babies cry at bathtime. Wrapping them up in the handsfree towel eliminates that stressor. Being scared of the new sensation of water is another reason why babies cry at bathtime- but being ready to wrap with the handsfree towel again eliminates that stressor.
Bath time can and should be a chance for new parents to bond with their baby, and with the handsfree towel this can be a reality every single night.
Allow us to blow our own trumpets for a moment. The original Cuddledry handsfree towel has won over 100 international awards. That’s a lot of new and expectant parents voting for happy, safe, Cuddledry bathtimes!
We’ve always used bamboo in our handsfree towel, even way back before lots of brands realised how sustainable and baby-friendly the material is. It keeps our towels silky soft, super absorbent and naturally anti-bacterial too.
We don’t use plastic in our packaging and we offer a box-free option if you prefer to receive your towel in a biodegradable bag. All of our orders are sent out in biodegradable packaging too. We also donate a percentage of profits from every purchase here at Cuddledry to the 2 Minute Foundation, helping to keep our oceans safe.
So now you know why you need one, let’s talk about how to get started with the handsfree towel. The first thing you need to know, is that you wear it, almost like an apron. This will keep you dry while you bath baby, and it will also trap your body heat inside the double layers of fabric too. Most importantly though, it means you have two hands free for baby bathtime!
Simply fasten the poppers, then put the loop around your neck, making sure that the hood is facing out on the bottom left corner. You’re ready to go!
Bathing your baby really can be a special time, but if you’re not sure what to do it can be stressful too! Read this post for a more detailed easy step-by-step guide on how to bath a new baby.
This is where two hands really comes in… handy!
When your baby is safely in the water, use your free hand to gently scoop water onto their body in slow and steady movements. There’s no need for soap during the first 4-6 weeks; lots of parents choose to do a top & tail wash before they bath baby too.
Lifting baby from the water is so easy with the Cuddledry handsfree towel! Your towel is ready to go, and you have two hands to lift your baby- so just lift them slowly, and bring them straight to you, into the towel.
The double layers of bamboo and cotton will be nice and snuggly for your baby now, and there’s lots of fabric to wrap them up warm and dry.
Bring the hood up from the bottom left corner and pop it over baby’s head to prevent them from losing essential body heat.
Now your baby is wrapped up, you can simply cuddle them dry.
When you’re ready, the towel can be unfastened easily via our once-handed popper release. Then you can carry baby to a safe place for dressing.
The Cuddledry handsfree towel can be washed on a normal cycle, 30-40 degrees (we prefer 30, as it’s better for the planet) and as long as you don’t use fabric conditioner, it will stay silky soft no matter how many times you wash it.
You can air dry easily (saving energy- as although it can be tumble dried, it really doesn’t need to be) and it’s ready to go again for the next bathtime.
Recovery after a c-section can vary from person to person, but as a general rule the NHS advises most women will spend 3 or 4 days in hospital after their baby is born. Once home, they recommend new mums to take it easy for several weeks, depending on how you feel. We spoke to Simone (pictured), founder of Simone Thomas Wellness , who told us:
“Never underestimate the impact of having a c-section and always appreciate the amazing work your body has done to bring your baby into the world. Women who had have a c-section will be given care guidance by their midwives and generally the incision is watertight within 24 hours of surgery and from there it will take time for the wound to heal.”
Listen to your body as much as you can, and if you have help around with the baby- take it.
Your midwife will encourage you to get up and moving as soon as possible after your c-section, but you’ll be advised not to lift anything heavy. Don’t worry- t is ok to lift your baby.
Gentle exercise is recommend after a c-section but again, listen to your body and don’t overdo it. Some actives will be out of bounds for a few weeks, driving included.
Your midwife will also give you advice on how to care for your wound once you get home from thee hospital. It’s recommend that you gently clean and dry your wound every day, and wear loose clothing that won’t rub or irritate it.
Pain relief can be discussed with your doctor before you leave the hospital, and once you arrive home you might find you need to take paracetamol or ibuprofen for a time too. We’re all different and we all handle pain in different ways, but speak to your GP or midwife if you’re concerned.
Self care is so important for new mums, whether you’ve had a c-section or not. Pregnancy and childbirth can take a huge toll on your physical and emotional health, so be kind to yourself and don’t try ti rush your recovery.
As `Simone puts it: “This a time to go easy on yourself, to eat good food and drink plenty of water. This is not a time to race back to your pre-baby body, but it is a time to let your mind and body recover, so look after yourself mama, and if you need support, ask.”
So c-section recovery aside for a moment, let’s tackle the issue of baby’s first bath. Luckily for c-section mamas, the recommendations are for new parents to hold off on giving their baby a bath until they’re at least a week old, and some parents might wait even longer.
Read this post for more information on when to give baby their first bath.
It’s no secret that babies come with a lot of ‘stuff’- and it’s no different when it comes to bathtime either. We’ve already written about what you need for baby bathtime- check out our post to find out our top tips and recommendations.
But, as a general rule, you’ll at least need:
There are also some items that will make abthtime a lot easier if you’re recovering from a c-section:
Our handsfree hooded baby towel can be worn, almost like an apron, before you start bathtime- so you have everything you need to hand when you need it. Wrapping baby up this way will also limit the amount of movements you need to make, and will prevent you from moving too quickly if baby becomes upset when you take them out of the bath.
Read our post on how to use the handsfree towel for more information on how it works to make bathtime safer and easier.
Bathing a baby after a c-section isn’t really much different to bathing a baby after any other kind of birth. You might need to be a little more mindful of your wound, and remember to take things as slowly as you can at first, but there is no reason at all why you can’t enjoy these precious first baths with your baby.
Remember not to press your tummy into the side of the bath as you lift baby from the water, and keep your movements steady and controlled to prevent sudden movements that could stretch your wound.
If you find that bathtime is more than a little uncomfortable for you, there’s nothing wrong with a top & tail wash until you feel you have recovered a little more. It’s also a really good idea to ask for help if you need it too.
Another great way to enjoy bathtime with your baby is to get into the tub with them- and yes, you can still enjoy this if you’ve had a c-section. However, there are some precautions you might need to take in order to aid your c-section recovery.
Simone told us that while new mums are able to take a bath or shower as they recover from a c-section, it’s also ok to wait a little too.
“Being able to get into and out of a bathtub might take a few weeks, so go easy on yourself- don’t put pressure on your body, and be kind. When it does come to being able to take a bath safely, do it at a time when you aren’t in a rush and when there is someone at home to help you, and to be there if things don’t go to plan.”
She also adds, “I don’t like taking my phone to the bath, it’s a great time to be screen free, but in this case, you might want to for safety reasons.”
If you’re ready for a dip- go for it. Here are Simone’s tips for bathing after a c-section:
“Make sure that the water isn’t’ too hot and while I would go easy on heavily scented products, using Epsom salts in the bath is a great way to further help healing, as well as easing any aches and pains- but if in doubt ,simply enjoy being in the water and take some time to relax while someone else looks after the baby for a little while.
When you get out of the bath, safely of course, be gentle with your body and scar, it maybe tender for a while, and if you do want to use a product, Rosehip oil is super gentle- if you go for an organic option even better.”
]]>Wondering how often to wash baby's hair? Read our guide on how to wash baby's hair, what baby shampoo to use and how many times you need to do a baby hair wash.
Lots of parents wonder if it’s ok to wash their baby’s hair every day, and we say it really is up to you. However, most babies really won’t need to have their hair washed every single day, and most families find they don’t want to do it daily either!
When it comes to baby hair care, the NHS recommends that new parents should use just plain water for their baby’s bath during the first 4-6 weeks (see this post for more information on using soap in baby’s bath)- and the same goes for shampoo too.
There’s no harm in gently rinsing and wiping your baby’s hair during bathtime, but when they’re really small you don’t need to do it every day.
As your baby gets older, daily hair washes aren’t necessary, but it certainly shouldn’t hurt if you’re using just water or a very mild shampoo.
Lots of families like to do bath time very singe day as it helps them to get into a routine at the end of the day. Very young babies don’t need a bath every day, as their delicate skin could get irritated easily.
Once your baby is a little older, it’s a really great way to end the day and can be an essential part of your bedtime routine. Read this post for more information on how often you should bath your baby.
Just a quick word on your baby’s hair: it’s not like your own, so it needs a little extra special attention. Without going too far into the science of it all, each strand of adult hair is made up of a structure in three parts: the medulla at the centre, the cuticle on the outer, protective layer and the cortex, which is the main part of the hair.
In baby hair strands, there is no medulla (and this is where you find natural oils), so the hair is thinner, finer and less coarse than adult hair. As your baby grows, the medulla begins to develop and their hair will grow thicker and coarser- but because for now it’s fine and soft, it needs to be washed a lot less often than our own hair.
It’s also worth knowing that your baby has less sebaceous gland production on the scalp too, which means less build up of sebum in that area. Sebum works to maintain the health of the scalp, but it builds up every 2-3 days, so daily washing is often recommended for adults. For babies though, the build up is lower, meaning daily washes just aren’t needed.
As with soap, the NHS recommends to wait for around 4-6 weeks before you wash their hair with any baby shampoo. You should use a very small amount only and take care when rinsing.
Always use a shampoo that has been designed specially for babies and never use products that are perfumed or that contain potentially harmful chemicals. Read this post for more information on the ingredients to look out for when using soap in baby’s bath.
Cradle cap is a very common scalp condition that causes patchy scales to form on baby’s scalp and although it might look alarming, it’s very easily treated. Most babies will experience this up to the age of around months and it usually disappears by 6 months. Speak to your health visitor or GP if it persists.
While daily shampooing might help by removing dead skin cells from the scalp, there are other things you can do to ease the symptoms of cradle cap. Your doctor might recommend checking the milk your baby drinks, as some types are thought to make cradle cap worse.
You can also try gently massaging coconut or avocado oil into your baby’s scalp and allowing it to soak in before gently applying a small amount of baby shampoo. You can then very gently use a baby hair brush to loosen skin flakes before rinsing the hair. Repeat every few days.
Don’t be afraid to wash your baby’s hair when you’re happy the time is right. As with everything, let your baby guide you and, be gentle and take your time.
Start off with just water, using a soft bamboo washcloth to gently clean your baby’s head. Take care not to press too hard and avoid shampoo until your baby is at least 4-6 weeks old. Rinse with the washcloth, or with a small bowl of water, making sure to keep your movements slow and steady.
As your baby gets a little older, you only need a tiny amount of baby shampoo. Massage it gently into the hair and rinse slowly. No need for conditioner!
You don’t need to do much to dry baby’s hair, as it tends to be fine and thin enough to dry quickly. Besides, not many babies are going to enjoy a hair dryer being blasted right next to their ears!
If you use a hooded baby bath towel, pop the hood over your baby’s head straight out of the bath and cuddle them dry as normal. Older babies with longer hair can use a Cuddletwist to absorb most of the water and to keep clothes dry after the bath.
]]>Lots of parents ask us if they can use soap in baby's bath- so we've put together a guide to help you. Read on to find out what you need for baby's first bath.
It’s no secret that babies come with a lot of… ‘stuff’! And while there certainly are a lot more clever and innovative products out there these days, is it all actually essential? When it comes to bathtime, the jury’s out- but here’s what you do actually need for baby bathtime.
Read our post on what you need for baby bathtime here. We go through checklists for newborn up to toddlers in this post, with tips on bath time safety too.
But at a glance, the main items you need are:
That’s it! Any other accessories and toys might be nice to have, but as long as you have the basics, you’re good to go. You don’t even need a baby bath tub- you can bath your baby in the sink, or you can use a bath support in the big bath.
When you first bring baby home from the hospital, it can be difficult getting into a routine. Don’t stress. Very tiny babies don’t need a routine at first- and you’ll end up more stressed and anxious trying to make them fit into one.
New babes don’t need to have a bath every night- in fact, it’s not recommended, as their skin is so delicate; you only need to bath them every other night. So a bathtime routine is recommended from the age of around 6 months or so, but really it’s up to you. Read this post for more tips on how to get a bath time routine established when you and your baby are ready.
Ready? Baby’s first bath can be a daunting experience, but if you have everything you need ready to go, and baby is awake, full and happy- then it’s time to take the plunge!
Keep the first bath short and sweet, and build up the time spent in the water slowly. We recommend a quick wash of the face and nappy area first (more on top & tail washes below) and then gently lower baby into the water. Keep hold of them at all times, maintain eye contact and keep smiling. You can do this!
When baby has had enough, gently bring them out of the water and wrap them up in a cosy towel- but don’t rub, just pat or cuddle them dry to protect that delicate skin. Read this post for a more detailed guide on how to bath your newborn baby.
So, can you use soap in your baby’s bath? You may have noticed we didn’t list it in our baby bath time checklist above- and that’s because the answers is: it depends.
Very tiny babies do not need soap in their bath. It’s not recommended as it can dry out their skin and leave them prone to irritation, dryness and sore patches. Even baby soap should be avoided for at least the first 4-6 weeks, so just plain water is all you need.
Beyond the age of around 6 weeks (and some parents tend to wait a little longer than this), only very mild baby soap is recommended.
Your newborn baby’s skin is very different to yours. It’s made up of fewer layers, and these layers are much thinner too. So everything you put on your baby’s skin is absorbed much more easily, and has the potential to irritate and cause discomfort too.
With this in mind, only ever use baby soap, no perfumed products and nothing with chemicals that could irritate the skin. Wash your baby’s clothes and bath towel with a mild detergent and when it comes to getting out of the bath, never rub the skin as this could damage it too. Use your handsfree towel to just wrap them up and cuddle them dry.
If your baby does have sry skin or you’re concerned, speak to your GP or health visitor about suitable lotions and creams that you can use- and read more about caring for newborn skin here.
Yes, you can give your baby a bath before the umbilical stump falls off, although lots of parents decide to wait. It’s up to you. We’ve written a guide in how to care for your baby’s umbilical stump that you might find helpful.
As mentioned above, a quick wash before the bath is a good idea- or you can do this in between bath times for very small babies. This is called a top & tail wash and we have a guide on how to do it if you’re not sure.
When your baby is around 4-6 weeks old, you can start to use soap in their bath. Make sure you only use a small amount, and read the labels carefully to make sure the ingredients are suitable. You should only use products that have been designed for baby’s delicate skin too.
Make sure the soap you use to wash your baby is unperfumed- and skip the bubble bath at first. Reading the labels on your baby’s soap is so important, as there could be potentially harmful chemicals that you definitely don’t want anywhere near your baby’s skin- even if they claim to be ok for delicate skin. It’s also worth knowing that a product can call itself ‘natural’ even if they contain as little as 1% natural ingredients!
Ingredients to look out for include:
You should also look out for Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine TEA as these both have the potential to cause irritation to your baby’s skin.
Foaming agents can contain Sodium Laurel Sulphate (SLS) which is another common cause for skin irritations, so also best avoided, along with artificial fragrances and colours.
Look for products that contain more natural ingredients, such as essential oils to fragrance, olive oil, shea butter, cocoa butter or almond oil to soften and nourish the skin, and aloe vera to soothe. A good general rule of thumb is if you cannot pronounce the ingredient name, then it probably isn’t great to use on your baby’s skin.
When it comes to washing your baby’s hair, again baby shampoo is recommended. You should look out for all the above ingredients when you read the label, and only use a tiny amount, no more than once a week.
Avoid shampoos with phthalates and parabens too.
]]>Lots of parents ask the question, does my baby need a bath time routine? Read on to find out how a good routine can help with baby bedtime and more.
Bathing your baby, especially for the first time, can be a daunting prospect. Not many parents are taught how to do it either, so the whole thing can often become way more stressful than it needs to be. Lots of parents feel anxious about when to do baby’s first bath, how to bath their new baby and how often they should do it too. Relax. We’re here to answer all your questions and to help you establish the perfect baby bathtime routine.
Get everything ready before you start. The last thing you need is to have baby in the water and realise you’ve left the towel in the other room! In fact, if you’re wearing your Cuddledry handsfree towel, that’s one less thing you need to worry about! As a general guide, the equipment you need for baby’s first bath includes:
Read more about what you need for baby’s bathtime here.
For the first few weeks, your baby’s delicate skin is extra sensitive, so bubble bath and soaps aren’t needed, Plain water is all you need until your baby is at least 6 weeks old- although so parents wait longer. Read this post for more information on using soap in baby’s bath.
If your baby seems to hate bathtime, don’t panic. It’s a new experience and some babies will take a little longer to settle than others. Make sure you follow our guide for making it all a little easier- we share some great tips on what to do if your baby cries at bath time.
Having a bathtime routine is an important part of the overall bedtime routine- and we all know how vital that is when it comes to getting baby to sleep! Once you have a good bathtime routine, the rest will be a lot easier to achieve.
Timing is key! Don’t attempt to bath your baby when they’re tired or unwell, and wait at least 30 minutes after a feed too. Most babies won’t take kindly to skipping a meal in favour of a dip- so placing bathtime at the end of the day make sense for a lot of families too.
Make sure your bathroom (or whatever room you’re bathing baby in) is warm and baby-safe. Make sure you baby-proof your bathroom- and don’t forget to follow our bath safety guidelines too.
Get your checklist together and make sure it’s all ready to go when you need it. Some parents swear by a basket or tub dedicated to bathtime so that they can grab it when they need it and its all ready to go.
We humans thrive on routine, and having a good solid bedtime routine helps us to relax and wind down after a busy day. More so for babies, who need a little extra help from us to be able to distinguish between night and day. But will bathtime help baby sleep? Absolutely!
Lots of families rely on bath time as a vital part of the bedtime routine, and that’s why most babies enjoy their splash at the end of the day. Bathtime is a wonderful way to sign off for the evening- read more here about how bathtime helps baby sleep.
Bath time is a wonderful whole body sensory experience for babies. Imagine yourself being totally immersed in a tub of warm water right before bed time- bliss!
Baby massage is another great sensory experience for babies, and an amazing way to end bath time in preparation for bed. Read about the benefits of baby massage and how to get started to find out more.
Looking to establish a good baby bath time routine? Keep it simple- especially when your child is very young. Keep bath time short and sweet, at the same time every time, and try to make it the same each day too. So, a good example routine could be:
Follow the same steps in the same order each day.
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Welcome to September, and Back to School season! Not sure where to start? Read on to find out our top tips for making the new term easy for all.
Whether it’s back to nursery, or you’re getting ready for your child’s first day at school, there’s no escaping the summer is coming an end. Are you ready for it? September is always a bit of a milestone for many families, no matter how old the kids are- here at Cuddledry HQ, our little ones are older now, but we’re still busy preparing for a new term!
We know how hard it can be to juggle it all- early mornings, change of routine and not to mention the empty house after weeks full of fun… So we thought we’d share some tips we’ve picked up along the way, to make your back to school just a little less stressful, and a little more peaceful.
The first thing you need to get straight is your school morning routine. And if you don’t have one, you need one! Our top tip here is to do as much as you can the night before, so there’s less to do the next day. Make your morning as simple as you can.
Things you can prepare the night before include:
The new term is an ideal time to give your little one some more age appropriate independence. Learning to tell the time is a great way to help them understand the new routine too.
We LOVE the idea of creating a colour coded clock for children who are still too young the tell the time! All you need is a cheap clock that you can remove the front from, giving you access to the clock face. Then colour the sections of the clock according to your timetable.
This is such an easy way for children to quickly see what’s happening and when.
Once your child starts in reception at school, there will be an expectation that they will know how to do the basics when it comes to getting changed for PE and so on. Start early!
Doing up buttons can be tricky for small hands to master, so let them practise as much as you can. And although ti can be frustrating waiting for a small child to dress themselves, you won’t be able to do it for them forever, so allow enough time for them to learn.
Have the uniform laid out ready to go the night before and make sure it’s easily accessible for your child. It’s a great idea to have a school sock box too- keep it by the door near the shoes to avoid last minute dashes back upstairs.
Another great hack we recently discovered for children learning to tie laces:
This is honestly a real game changer when it comes to teaching kids to tie their laces!
Another task that can be easily passed on to your child to help with. Packing their own lunch helps with little ones who like to know what they’ll be eating at school, and goes towards that new found independence too.
The new term is a huge learning curve for parents, too. Th!re’s a lot we need to get to grips with when it comes to releasing our children into the world! These are some of the best back to school tips we’ve tried.
We cannot say it enough. You need a good solid bedtime routine, and that routine probably needs tweaking up before the new term starts. Lots of parents swear by tightening up in the first week of September so that everyone is rested before school returns.
If you need to, start by bringing your child’s bedtime forwards by ten minutes each evening, and do the same with wake up times too. Hopefully, this will make the first school morning a lot easter to manage. And don’t forget that this goes for you too- you’re going to need plenty of sleep to get through the transition too.
If you’ve got concerns about back to school get in touch with them before the new terms starts. This will help you sail through the first day without having to queue up to speak to the teacher on what is likely to be a very busy morning.
Getting to know the other parents in your child’s class can be invaluable, and if there isn’t already a WhatsApp group set up, then make one. You never know when you’re going to need a hive mind, or a reminder for events at school.
If back to school coincides with your return to work after maternity leave or holiday, then it’s a really good idea to get your before and after school care sorted early. Give your child plenty of notice about it too.
We get it, and we’re guilty of it too. We want to know EVERYTHING about their busy day at school or nursery, and we’re always disappointed when they just don’t want to tell us. Our advice? Don’t push it. Your child will be exhausted after school and will appreciate some down time to chill for a while.
A good tactic for approaching this situation is to play the ‘Three things about your day’ game over dinner. Take it in turns to tell each other three things that have happened that day, and hopefully your little one will offer some gems about their experience.
Back to school brings a lot of admin, that really does need to be dealt with. We recommend reading emails and letters as soon as you get them- and use your whatsapp group to help you remember it all!
Letters, letters, letters. There is likely to be a lot. Whether they’re emailed or sent home in book bags, you’ll need to file them. Have one central place to store them so you always know where they are should you need to refer to them again.
Remember to add dates to your calendar as soon as you get them. Either on a paper calendar that everyone is able to see, or on your phone where you also share with other family members if you need to. A great hack here is to take a screen shot make your calendar your look screen, so that you can be constantly reminded of important dates.
Kids need a little organising too, and lots of families swear by having a bright, colourful family planner displayed at home so everyone can stay up to date. Use photos of thee various activities or younger children.
Trust us, you really don’t want to spend a fortune on uniform only to send it out of the house without a label. Even if you just use a sharpie to write your child’s name on it, label EVERYTHING.
One final tip we love, and have used since day one- a back of the door checklist. It only needs to be a piece of paper stuck to the front door- but make sure it contains all the things that need to be done before you leave, and make sure you and your child check them off before you go. Such a simple but effective tip!
]]>Swimming is an essential life skill so we’ve put together some quick and easy tips to help you prepare your baby for swimming lessons.
You night have guessed it, but we’ll say it anyway: bathtime helps prepare baby for swimming. Being immersed in water regularly will help your baby become accustomed to the sensation, and there are lots of ways that you can utilise this every day activity to build up to lessons in the pool too.
Help your baby to develop water confidence during bathtime with some simple games and activities. Start by gently swishing and splashing the water and encouraging your baby to copy. This will help them get used to having water splashed on their face and body, which hopefully will mean being in the pool shouldn’t be too much of a shock.
We’re firm believers that bathtime should be fun for all ages, and especially for little ones. If your little one has fun and enjoys bathtime, there’s a higher chance that they’ll also enjoy swimming too. Bring Agee appropriate bath toys into the tub, sing songs that you can repeat in the pool, and always maintain eye contact with a smile. If you enjoy bathtime too, your baby will follow suit.
Blowing bubbles in the water is an amazing way to build water confidence for little ones- but you might need to show them how to do it first! Blowing bubbles into the water helps to develop essential breath control skills, which are essential as swimming skills progresses. Eventually, your child will learn to adopt a pattern of breathing in when their face is out of the water, and blowing out when their face is in the water. So blowing bubbles in the bath is not only fun, but a great way to start practising this.
Get your baby used to having water on their head by gently pouring or sprinkling using small jugs, sieves and bath toys. Let your baby explore different containers to use for this.
Bathtime games are another great way to develop water confidence for babies and toddlers. Read our post on bathtime activities here, and sensory bathtime activities here. We’ve got lots ion ideas to keep it fun and playful at bathtime.
So you’re ready, your baby is ready- what next? On to lessons, of course. Word of mouth is usually a great way to find good local lessons, but you should do your own research too. Look for a swim school that has accredited teachers, and ask to join a taster lesson before you commit to regular sessions.
You probably know by now that when you’re a parent, you need a lot of ‘stuff’! Sorry to tell you this, but you’re going to need even more baby gear now! We recommend the following for your baby’s swimming bag:
Read this post on top swimming tips from our parent community- we’ve collected some really genius tried and tested ideas that you might find handy!
]]>A question that often comes up: can I bath my baby in the sink? And to be fair, it’s one that we asked ourselves back when our own children were tiny- and presumably our own parents pondered the same, too! So we thought we’d settle the debate once and for all, and give you the low down on sink baths for baby- whether you should do it, what you need to think about and why it might be a good idea to try it after all!
There are many reasons why new parents consider bathing their baby in the sink. Some families may only have a shower in their bathroom, or they might not have access to a baby bath when they bring their new baby home. Other families might just be following on a tradition that has lasted generations!
Before the boom in the nursery industry (and way before there were so many new baby essentials to add to your shopping lists!) lots of families would bath their baby in the sink because there simply wasn’t any alternative. These days, baby bath tubs are aplenty, but still lots of parents decide that sink baths are a lot more convenient- if it works for you, then why not?
If you’re not sure whether or not to fill the sink or splash out on a baby bath, then it might be a good idea to consider the pros and cons of each.
Sink baths tend to use less water as you’ve got a smaller space to work with, which is a huge plus for many. Not only will this cut down on water bills, but it’s a huge win for the planet too.
Standing at the sink can be a lot kinder to your back than having to bend over a baby bath on the floor. Sink baths can also be a lot easier for new mums recovering from a c-section tor this reason too.
It’s considerably faster and less hassle to fill the sink to give your baby a bath, than it is to get everything ready for the baby baht tub. Plus, you can have all your equipment ready to go on the draining board so it’s more easily accessible too.
Lots of kitchen sinks tend to be by the window in the kitchen and in cooler weather, this might not be ideal. The good thing about baby baths is that you can move them to water parts of the house when you need to.
Mot baby bath tubs will come in more or less the same size and shape, designed for small babies to use. Your sink can be deeper, shallower, smaller, bigger… not all sinks are great for sink baths so it’s worth checking the logistics before you write off investing in a tub.
We’ll go over cleaning your sink later on, but for now it’s worth noting that you definitely will need to clean your sink before and after your baby has their bath- so consider what products you’re going to be using.
If you decide to go for it and try a sink bath for your baby, then it’s important to follow safety guidelines, just as you would during a normal bath time. Read our bathtime safety guidelines here, and make sure you also follow the extra precautions below:
Just like a ‘normal’ baby bathtime, there are essential items you really need if you’re going to go for it and give your baby a sink bath. We recommend:
Read this post for more information on what you need for baby bathtime.
Ready to go? Here’s a really quick guide on how to do it successfully.
First step is to clean the sink throughly. Remember that most sink baths take place in the kitchen and this is where food is prepared, and other cleaning products are used- so this step cannot be skipped.
Thoroughly rinse the sink with got water, then sprinkle some bicarbonate of soda in the bottom and around the sides. Clean the sink well, then rinse and you’re good to go. Alternatively, you can use baby safe cleaning products, but make sure you rinse it all away properly afterwards.
When you’ve filled the sink, placed your insert and checked the temperature, you’re ready to go.
Remember to clean the sink throughly once you’re finished, so that it’s ready for other uses.
]]>We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Bath time is an amazing opportunity for learning- and a great way to develop new skills using sensory play. Your baby learns so much just through exploring different toys, sensations, tastes and textures. Not sure where to start? Here are 5 sensory play ideas to get the ball rolling.
Sensory play refers to literally any activity that your baby engages in that stimulates their senses. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on specialised toys for activities that take a long time to set up either- lots of babies are more than happy with a wooden spoon and a saucepan lid to bash it on- as you’ve probably already discovered!
Sensory play is an amazing way for your baby to explore the world around them, and bathtime is one of the best opportunities for it too. Your baby will actually use 7 senses during sensory play: smell, taste, touch, sight, hearing, movement & balance and body awareness.
The last two senses are probably a little unfamiliar- movement & balance refers to the sense of where our body is in space and it’s an important sense that helps us to walk, sit and stand without falling over. Body awareness is the sense of where our body parts are in relation to each other, and it helps us to be aware of how to use the different parts effectively in different activities.
Sensory play sessions can help your baby to learn by incorporating each of the seven senses in fun activities.
So why is sensory play so important? The benefits are huge. Sensory play will help your baby to connect and interact with the world around them and is vital for motor skills, speech development, cognitive skills, learning skills, social skills, attention span and behaviour development. It can aid in developing vocabulary, memory and problem solving skills. It can calm and soothe frustrations or anxiety. It can build trust and understanding. So pretty important, don’t you agree?!
And now on to the really fun part: bathtime! There are so many ways that you can make every single dip and splash a chance to learn and grow, even if it’s just a tub of plain water. Here are just five really simple and easy ideas to get you started.
This one takes just a little prep, but it’s a great one to get ready the night before. You only need a small amount of food colouring, added to water in the ice cube tray. The potential for play here is fantastic:
Another really simply activity, and one that can be adapted night after night for different activities. Just bring a variety of different pots, jugs and other utensils into the bath and let your child explore!
Again, this one requires some bits from the kitchen cupboard, but it’s another great one for bathtime.
This is a good one if you need to wash your little one’s hair. You can sculpt your child’s hair into some crazy shapes, and use a baby safe mirror to show them the result. Or bring dolls into the bath so your child can practise washing their hair too.
Another really quick activity that can be prepared in advance. Baby safe bath paints can be bought online, but you can make your own too. All you need is mild baby shampoo, cornflour, food colouring and plastic pots and spoons. Mix two parts soap to one part cornflour, then add the colouring and stir well. That’s it! Use the bath paints to:
Of course, lots of sensory play ideas can be done in an empty tub too, and bath paints are great for this. Plus, the bonus is that they’re already in the tub ready to be washed down afterwards!
]]>We often hear from new parents who are concerned about bathing their baby before the umbilical stump has fallen off, and wondering how to care for it when baby is very tiny. So we’ve put together a really quick guide to help new parents who are worried about new baby bathtime. Read on to find out how to care for your baby’s umbilical stump.
The umbilical cord is a tubular structure that is formed at around 5 weeks after conception. It’s made up of three blood vessels- two arteries and one vein. The vein works to carry oxygen and nutrients to your baby from the placenta, while the artery’s job is to take away baby’s waste material, which is then disposed of via your kidneys. The blood vessels are protected by a substance called Wharton’s Jelly.
After birth, the umbilical cord is cut and clamped and this then forms the umbilical stump. The stump at first may look shiny and yellow, but it will quickly start to dry out and can then turn brown or grey in colour. There are no nerves in the umbilical cord, so your baby doesn’t feel any pain when it’s cut and clamped.
It’s important to care for your baby’s umbilical stump to prevent infection occurring, but there is no reason why you cannot give them a bath while it’s still healing and drying out. Getting your baby’s umbilical stump wet will not hinder the drying out process, but it is important to pat it dry gently afterwards, and allow the area to air dry as much as possible.
In most cases, the umbilical stump will begin to change colour within around 5 days, turning brown and then almost black as it starts to dry out. Most babies will lose their umbilical stump at around 5-15 days old.
As there are no nerves in the umbilical stump, the natural process of drying out does not hurt and your baby won’t feel it when it does eventually fall off.
Generally speaking, your baby’s umbilical stump doesn’t require a lot of special treatment, but there are some guidelines to follow in order to keep the area clean and free from infection. You should try to avoid touching the umbilical stump, and never try to remove it yourself. It will fall off eventually.
Lots of parents prefer to postpone the first bath until the umbilical stump falls off. That’s fine to do- top & tail washes are a good alternative. Read this post for more information on how to do a top & tail wash.
If you do give your baby a bath before the umbilical stump falls off, make sure to use plain water only- no bubble bath or perfumed soaps.
Your baby’s umbilicals stump will need to dry properly after washing, before you dress your baby. Some parents like to fold down the top of baby’s nappy so that the area I can finish drying off if they prefer not to go nappy-free.
When you change baby’s nappy, take care not to pull on the umbilical stump, and be careful when fastening the nappy too. Don’t use any creams on the area.
Always wash your hands properly before touching the umbilical stump or the skin around it.
When your baby’s umbilical stump falls off, you should continue to take care to keep the area clean and maintain good hand hygiene whenever you touch your baby or give them a wash. Your baby now has a belly button! The area might look a little red for a short while, but this is normal and no cause for concern. Use a soft cloth and warm water to clean away any secretions that might appear (again, this is normal) and always treat the area gently and with care.
When your baby is a little older, mild and umperfemd bubble bath is ok to use- but the general advice is to wait until they’re at least 4 weeks old.
Most umbilical stumps heal well and without any issues, but sometimes an infection can occur- so its important to know the signs. Look out for:
Call your midwife or doctor for advice if you suspect an infection.
]]>Sometimes it's not possible to bath your baby, so can you give them a shower instead? The answer is yes- and here are our tips on how to do it safely.
Does the idea of taking a shower feel scary or stressful to you? It doesn't need to be that way! With a few preparations before you start, giving your baby a shower can be fun, convenient and a great way to end the day.
Just like when you give baby a bath, you need to be prepared before you turn the shower on. Have everything you need to hand and make sure that baby is awake, fed (wait at least 30 minutes after a feed) and in good spirits. We recommend having the following ready to go:
When it comes to babies and water, safety is always so important- and one of hte reasons why lots of parents tend to stay away from the shower is because they feel it's too dangerous. As with any activity, there are potential risks, but if you follow safety guidance there's no reason why showers with your baby should be off the agenda. Here's a quick shower safety guide:
There are some very clever gadgets out there that will make showering with your baby so much easier. some of our favourites include:
When it comes to taking a shower with your baby, the same advice applies as when giving them a bath. Your baby doesn't necessarily need a shower every single day, but if its an essential part of your baby's bedtime routine then go for it. Be sure to keep them short and sweet though, to prevent their skin drying out. Read this post for more advice on how often to bath your baby.
Showers are often a better option for babies who have eczema or sensitive skin, as they tend to be quicker and therefore less likely to dry the skin out. Make sure you cuddle your baby dry (that's another great reason to use a Cuddledry handsfree towel!) and don't rub, plus only use baby friendly products to prevent irritation.
Giving your baby a shower can be part of a relaxing bedtime routine! Keep things calm and quiet as much as you can, and follow up with some soothing baby massage to help them wind down.
There are many reasons why parents choose to shower with baby over giving them a a bath. Some families perhaps don't have a bath tub at home, or there could only be a shower where you go on holiday this summer too. Either way, there are certain benefits to giving your baby a shower.
A great benefit of showering with your baby is that it will help to prepare them for showers after swimming too- making the whole changing room experience so much less stressful!
In the interests of being a green as we can be, showers use much less water overall, and especially so if you share the experience!
Showers can be more convenient if you're pushed for time, or if you just need to give your baby a quick wash- hello nappy explosion!
As we always say, bathtime is an amazing sensory experience for babies, and the same goes for showers too!
If you're going away with your baby any time soon, there's a really good chance there won't be a bath tub- so giving your baby a shower now will help to prepare them before you leave.
]]>Sand, sea and suncream isn’t always a good combination when it comes to babies, but don’t let that put you off. We’ve put together a really quick guide on how to make taking your baby to the beach as stress free as possible- do let us know in the comments if you have any amazing tips to share too!
There are very few ‘parent hacks’ out there that actually work, but we managed to find some absolute gems that are guaranteed to make beach trips with baby a lot easier.
One of the worst things about visiting the beach with a baby has to be the fact that sand just gets everywhere. And we mean EVERYWHERE. That’s why making a sand-free zone is such a great idea. All you need is a fitted sheet, something to weigh down the corners (cool bag, water bottles etc) and an empty tub/ washing up bowl.
Spread the sheet across the sand, and use the weights to keep it in place. It will take on a kind of paddling pool shape that you can sit inside with your baby- and that’s your sand-free zone. And if you’re wondering what the empty tub/ washing up bowl is for… fill it with water and get everyone to dip their feet to keep the sand away. So clever!
When you’re a parent you rarely visit anywhere empty handed, and when you visit the beach you really do need a lot of stuff! Here’s a list of the items we think you definitely need to pack:
If you’re concerned about taking your baby into the sea, or the tide is going out, a small baby paddling pool is a great item to bring to the beach- fill it with a safe level of water and let your baby sit and splash to their heart’s content.
Staying safe at the beach is so important, so here’s a really quick guide to making sure you all make it home again in one piece.
Follow beach safely rules. When you’re planing your trip, look for beaches that have life guards on duty and brush up on what the safety flags mean so you know what advice is being given to bathers.
Red and yellow flags indicate that you’re in a lifeguarded area and it’s safe to swim. Black and white chequered flags mean that surfboards and kayaks etc are using that part of the water, and swimmers are not allowed in. Red flags indicate danger and you must not go into the water.
Read more safety advice from the Met Office here. You can also read advice from RNLI on teaching your child to float safely here.
Experts recommend that we should all be wearing sun cream in the UK from March until October, whether it’s sunny or not- but creams are not suitable for babies under the age of 6 months.
Your baby’s skin is much more sensitive than yours, so you need to take extra precautions to keep them out of the sun. Dress your baby in light layers and find shade wherever you can. Don’t forget a sun hat too!
For older babies and children, re-apply sun cream regularly and especial after swimming. Read more advice on sun safety from the NHS here.
If you’re prepared, you can definitely make your day at the beach a success- don’t forget your camera to record all the happy memories too! But before you go, here are a few last tips we’d like to share with you…
Please support the vital work of The 2 Minute Foundation by getting involved in a really quick 2 minute beach clean. If you spot a beach board, grab a litter picker and a bag and if not, bring a spare bag with you. Just two minutes can make a huge difference. And don’t forget to bag up your own rubbish too!
When you plan your trip, aim to either go early or late- to avoid crowds and the hottest part of the day. Lots of parents plan around nap time too.
Its good advice to check the tides times before you set out- for example if you prefer a huge stretch of sand over the lapping waves, or if you like having the sea close to where you’re sitting. Keep an eye on when its likely to come in too, so you don’t lose your picnic!
]]>Wondering what you actually need for baby bathtime? In this post we discuss the essential items you definitely need, for newborn baby bath time and beyond- plus we’re sharing some bathtime safety tips too.
Newborn babies don’t actually need to have a bath every day (read this post for more advice on how often to bath your new baby)- but lots of families like to include it as part of their child’s daily routine. Whatever you decide, baby bath time is something that all new parents face at one point or another, so here’s a handy checklist to help you out.
You might find it easier to wash baby’s face and nappy area before you put them into the tub. If so, you’ll also need a bowl of warm water for a quick wash before the main event. Read this post for a how-to guide on top & tail washes.
Safety is so important when it comes to bathing you new baby, so make sure you follow safety guidelines at all times. Read our post on bathtime safety for more advice.
As your baby gets older, your inventory grows longer- and bathtime is no different! Now that your baby can sit up more and hold small toys, you might find you need more equipment for bathtime. This list is not exhaustive by any means, but it’s a good place to start.
Now that your baby is moving more, you’ll need to baby proof the bathroom. Cover the taps with a washcloth to avoid bumps, make sure the toilet seat is closed at all times and always empty the tub as soon as bathtime is over. Remove razors, scissors or any other sharp instruments and always make sure your baby is supervised by an adult during bath time.
Toddler bath time is such great fun! Once they’re able to sit up independently, the bathtime essentials list changes slightly- but it doesn’t get any shorter!
If you have a toddler, you’ll know already that they like to move… a lot! Baby proofing the bathroom is so important, and keeping your little one safe at bathtime is vital. If you can, encourage them to always sit in the bath, and if you need to pop a towel at the bottom to stop them slipping then do it.
Again, constant supervision is needed, and always make sure all medicines and sharp objects are kept away from reach.
]]>Here at Cuddledry we care about our planet, and we’re always striving to improve both as a business and as mums too. We’ve always used bamboo in our products, so we thought we’d share the reasons why- with a little help from our friends at The Cheeky Panda.
We’re often asked why we use bamboo in our products- and many new parents are surprised when we tell them that it’s the bamboo that makes our towels so soft! We tend to think of the bamboo shoots that pandas eat, or the bamboo canes we use in the garden, and it’s hard to relate those images to the luxuriously soft towel we wrap our babies in- or the loo roll we use! But it’s true- bamboo is used in many products for many reasons, so we thought we’d try to explain a little more about it all.
One fantastic reason for using bamboo is definitely it’s ability to grow super fast. The Cheeky Panda told us:
“We use bamboo because it is the worlds fastest growing plant. Bamboo is a rapidly renewable resource that grows 30x faster than trees. “
Some types of bamboo can actually grow around a metre in just one day! And bamboo is unique, because cutting it actually stimulates further growth, which means that it’s a highly renewable source that will regrow naturally without the need for reforestation. Clever, huh?
Let’s talk about bamboo’s naturally hypoallergenic qualities- after all, we’re using it on our (and our baby’s) skin. Because bamboo’s fibres are naturally smoother and rounder, there are no sharp spikes to irritate the skin- so it’s perfect for anyone who experience allergic reactions, or for sensitive skin.
Bamboo is also antibacterial and anti fungal too- thanks to ‘Bamboo Kun’, which is responsible for repelling bacteria, fungi, bugs and pests. It’s also the reason why bamboo is able to grow so prolifically without the need for fertilisers or pesticides.
So, how exactly is bamboo sourced? Let’s find out.
Because bamboo is so renewable, bamboo forests are highly sustainable. The Cheeky Panda explains:
"Firstly, bamboo is a grass and when harvested, it is cut above the root- this means that all of the sequestered carbon taken in by the bamboo plant isn’t released when harvested (unlike trees!). Bamboo produces 30% more oxygen than trees, and absorbs 35% more carbon and this is why we should encourage responsibility managed bamboo forests.”
And because it’s cut above the root, it doesn’t need to be re-planted again- it just continues to grow. Leaving the roots where they are has other benefits too- it improves the health of the soil that the roots grow into, aiding in improvements to the micro-environment below the surface. This means that when heavy rain falls, the risk of landslides lowers because the ground is healthy, stable and protected.
Sadly, not all bamboo is grown in the same way and some bamboo forests do not meet regulations. Here at Cuddledry we’re committed to responsible sourcing of all materials- including bamboo. Our policy is to only stock bamboo sourced from verified legal sources and our factories use suppliers who source from well managed areas that have been certified too.
So we know that bamboo grows fast, and we know it has the ability to re-grow too… but how sustainable is it really? This is a topic that The Cheeky Panda are certainly very passionate about, as they told us:
“There are so many reasons as to why bamboo is the ultimate sustainable resource!”
And we have to agree.
A major reason why bamboo is so sustainable: "Bamboo requires no fertilizers or pesticides to grow in abundance, in fact, it requires no human interference at all!”
The fact that there are no chemicals used in the production of bamboo also means that it is biodegradable too- win win!
We love the versatility of bamboo- the fact it can be used in both bath towels and loo roll alone is just amazing! The Cheeky Panda agree, adding:
“Bamboo has many great qualities such as being naturally hypoallergenic, antimicrobial and antifungal. It’s an incredibly versatile resource that we believe isn’t utilised enough!”
Bamboo can also be used for floors, furniture, skateboards, toothbrushes, bicycle frames… the list goes on!
Bamboo is used by us here at Cuddledry and The Cheeky Panda for a variety of reasons.
It happens to the best of us. One minute bathtime is relaxing, peaceful and an amazing way to end the day- and the next... well, it just isn't! If this sounds familiar, read on to find out why your baby suddenly hates the bath, and what you can do to solve it- with tried and tested tips from real parents.
There can be many reasons why your baby might decide that bathtime is no longer a happy time. The main reasons tend to be quite obvious, but sometimes it needs a little detective work...
Check your bath temperature. If the weather is warmer, you might want to run it a little cooler, and vice versa. Always make sure the water is not hotter than 38 degrees C- and swish the water to disperse any hot spots that might be lurking.
Its a good idea to check the temperature of the bathroom too- nobody likes a chilly room!
Sometimes bathtime is the last thing your baby wants, if they're hungry or tired. Make sure the timing is right- baby should be fed (but wait 30 minutes after mealtimes), awake and happy.
This post was inspired by an Instagram post from @Mrs_izzyjudd, who's gorgeous little boy has suddenly developed a hated for the tub. And lots of parents responded with similar tales of their own little ones suddenly viewing bathtime as enemy number one. So why do some babies suddenly develop a fear of the bath, after having once really enjoyed the experience? Again, there can be many reasons...
Has your baby had a previous experience that is now translating into a fear of bathtme? Perhaps a scare or a slip, or a bump? Sometimes the smallest thing can frighten babies and be enough to put them off.
Sometimes there is just too much going on. Bathtime is a whole body sensory experience- and if there are also brightly coloured toys, noises, lights and other stuff happening at the same time, some children can get overwhelmed quickly.
Perhaps the timing is just wrong- baby is tired, or hungry or just not in the mood at the same time as you are. Bad timing can make or break bathtime for many babies.
Parent @lexyroles advised that some babies can develop a hatred for bathtime if they're teething- and it makes sense. If your little one is in pain they might not appreciate your best efforts when it comes to bathtime.
@welshie1992 and @dottys.doodles were quick to point out that some skin conditions or nappy rashes can cause upset at bathtime, so its always a good idea to rule this out first. A cooler temperature might help if skin is irritated.
When babies start to develop more of an awareness of the world around them, they begin to piece their daily routine together. For a lot of babies, bathtime is at the end of the day and often signals the start of the bedtime routine. if your little one is grasping this, it could be a potential cause for upset.
Having a baby that suddenly hates or is scared of the bath is very common, and there are ways that you can overcome it. Some of the tips left on Izzy's post were just amazing, so we wanted to share them with you.
Bathtime doesn't always have to be at the end of the day. Mix it up a little and try a daytime bath instead. If you prefer evening baths however, it might be an idea to tweak the timing a little: @thehairhelper suggests that moving bathtime by just 15 minutes can make all the difference, especially if they're upset because they're over tired.
The eco-friendly baby-friendly option- get in the tub with your little one! This tip came from @kimlakkides and lots agreed. Another great tip, from @virginiameggy- take a shower with your baby instead. And @parkhurstsamantha suggested bathing baby with their siblings too. The more, the merrier- hopefully!
If your baby uses a bath seat, @buggy_bootcamp_ayreshire says that could be the reason why they hate bathtime. take it out and see what happens- lots agreed that this solved the issue for them.
Sometimes you just need to take a break, and @collettetownsend2's suggestion of doing a top & tail wash for a while seems like a sensible idea. She recommends engaging little ones in lots of water play outside, before slowly re-introducing bath time, using similar games and toys.
And speaking of toys... @kerri_doherty26 says that maybe your baby would like some new ones! Our cheeky little Cuddleducks are 100% baby approved- and eco friendly too! Introducing some new toys can make a huge difference!
Sometimes the big bath can seem scary - especially when you're small. So @zarazoo suggests going back to the baby bath, inserted into the big bath to help baby feel safe and secure. Then from there you can slowly transition back to the big bath at a pace your little one is happy with.
Music has the power to influence mood, and @franrxo found that playing some tunes at bathtime helped her little one to relax and enjoy bathtime once more. Choose your baby's favourite songs, or relaxing classical music to calm and soothe.
Sometimes it's good to know when to admit defeat- and knowing that all things eventually pass, @mrsrobynk opted to save herself (and her baby) the trouble by keeping bathtime as short and sweet as possible. Eventually you can build back up to longer bathtimes but for now, if your baby is upset there's no need to prolong the misery.
Slightly 'out there' but @jojo88h suggested facing baby away from the taps at bathtime- and it actually makes sense. As your baby becomes more aware of their surroundings, strange looking objects can seem quite scary, and sometimes its the simplest thing that makes the biggest difference.
Bathtime should be fun, so we love this suggestion from @sarahowenseowo! Take away the water, take away the pressure, and just have fun! Let your little one play with their favourite toys in the tub, and help them to release that it's not a scary place.
This tip is great especially for younger babies who might be feeling insecure or freighted. @jen_maguire_ says a washcloth placed on baby's tummy can help them to feel safe and cosy- and we couldn't agree more.
You only need around 5-7cm of water for your baby's bath and just up to hip height for older babies. But @rachtighe pointed out that some babies are happier with less water- so give that a go and see if it helps.
The truth is that lots of babies develop a sudden fear of the bath and sometimes there can be no real reason why. Some take longer than others to overcome it, but hang in there. We promise it will pass! If you have any other tips to share, please let us know in the comments!
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Summer is finally here- hoorah! But if you're pregnant, you might not be feeling the same exhilaration as the rest of us- understandably so! Being pregnant in hot weather isn't much fun (the end result is worth it, we promise!) so we thought we'd put together some quick tips for staying cool. Please share with any pregnant friends who might need it!
Trust us, cold water is your friend!
We don't air conditioning in the UK as standard, so it can get really hot inside offices and homes. Try these tips:
Being pregnant is hard work- but being pregnant in hot weather (especially when we're not really used to it!) can be really REALLY hard work. These tips are a reminder for some self care:
Do let us know in the comments you have any tips to add- and don't forget to share, share, share!
]]>While your little one may usually love bathtime, when it comes to hair wash time it can be a different story! Sound familiar? Read on to find out why and how you can overcome the hair wash horrors!
For some children, the very thought of having their hair washed can be distressing, while others seem to be completely unconcerned about it all. So why do some children hate having their hair washed? There can be a variety of reasons, but the main culprit is usually because they’re not keen on having water poured onto their heads, or soap in their eyes. Understandable really! Some children are also highly sensitive to touch, and will hate having their hair and heads scrubbed too.
There are baby and child shampoos specially made to be as mild as possible, which means that if soap does get into their eyes, it won’t sting. Baby friendly shampoos are always your best bet.
If baby shampoo isn’t available, go for as mild as possible and take extra care to keep the suds away from the face. Check the ingredients label and choose one that has the most natural ingredients as possible.
Very young babies don’t always need shampoo, especially if they have very little hair. Warm water is usually all you need to keep their head clean.
Nobody wants to have their hair washed when they’re in the middle of a fun game or super tired before bed. Its always a good idea to time it right, especially if you know that your little one isn’t keen. Our tip would be to do the hair wash straight away, so that you can then distract them with some fun bathtime games to take their mind off the ordeal! Just tuck the hair up into a Cuddletwist while they play, and it will start to dry in the tub.
When it comes to the actual hair was itself, there are steps you can take to make it as stress-free as possible. Remember that some children just do not like the whole process, so take your time, stay calm and try to reassure them as much as you can.
Younger babies with hair tend to be a little easier compared to toddlers, so its a good idea to to start a good hair wash routine as early as possible to try and prevent it becoming an issue.
You might only need to wash your baby’s hair once or twice a week- their little heads don’t produce much oil when they’re really tiny, so their hair just won’t need as much cleaning. If your baby has cradle cap, there are special shampoos you can use, and you might want to speak to your health visitor about how often to use it.
Young babies with very little hair may only need a quick rinse and clean with a soft washcloth, rather than to have water poured onto their heads. We recommend our super soft bamboo washcloths for this- and you can do it before they get into the tub too.
Use your hand to scoop water onto baby’s head if you’re washing and rinsing in the tub. Take care to avoid the face and try to go as slowly as you can so that baby (and you!) stays calm and relaxed.
Anyone with toddlers will know- hair washing is a whole different game as your baby gets older! Once your child is able to sit up and play in the bath, it can be a battle convincing them its time for a hair wash- but it doesn’t have to be! One thing is for sure- it’s important to stay calm – if you’re anxious or cross, your toddler will pick up on that and the process will be more difficult for you both.
Bring a dolly into the bath to role play hair washing. Maybe your little one can wash dolly’s hair at the same time, or maybe they can practise first. Talk them through the process before and during, so they know what to expect.
Sometimes children hate having their hair washed because they can’t see what’s happening and they’re not sure when to expect the water. Bring a child-safe mirror into the tub so that they can see what you’re doing- this can work wonders for building up their confidence during hair washes.
Experiment with different methods for rinsing their hair. Try a cup, small watering can, show attachment or jug. Encourage them to look up whilst rinsing by holding a toy in the air or even putting tome glow in the dark stars on the roof.
As with most tasks in life, there are some things that just make washing your child’s hair a lot easier. These are our top recommended must-haves:
A soft bamboo washcloth or fluffy towel is a must, for wiping faces and keeping water away from their eyes. Some children like to hold a cloth near their eyes during hair washes too- it can help them to feel calm during rinsing.
There are face shields that you can buy to pop over the head so that water can’t be poured onto the face. Do a quick google search and you’ll see lots of options pop up!
Sometimes it’s a good idea to just get the rinsing done and move on. Hose attachments for the bath taps are usually very quick and efficient, and normally quite cost effective too.
At the end of the day, some children are ok with having their hair washed, and some just hate it. As long as you stay calm and composed and try to reassure your child as much as you can, you will get through it. We promise!
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