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1 step directions for toddlers


Teach your toddler to follow simple 1 step instructions — Toddler Talk

Receptive Language Lessons

Written By Stephanie Keffer

Helping your child learn to follow simple everyday directions will make both of your lives easier. We’re talking about commands like “get your shoes,” “time to go,” and “brush your teeth.”

Most babies begin to understand and follow their first directions around nine months old, typically before they say their first word. Your child will likely learn to follow directions within the context of regular routines first, since they’ll be able to anticipate what you’re going to ask them to do. 

I’m going to show you how speech therapists teach toddlers to follow these everyday one step instructions.

Tips for teaching your toddler simple one step instructions

Tip 1 - Start with “Give Me”

It can be challenging at times to get your child to give something up. At first, try practicing with an object or toy that only you can make work. Bubbles are a great example of a toy that children need help opening and operating.

You might ask your child “Give me” in reference to the bubbles in their hand. Use gestures as needed to help your child understand your request, such as motioning for them to place the bubbles in your hand. When they give the bubbles to you, you open the container and blow bubbles, and your child experiences something that they like. Toys with buttons or wind-ups that activate sounds or actions are great options too.

Another idea is to put a toy or a snack in a bag or clear Tupperware so that your child needs assistance getting it out. Hand them the sealed container, then say “give me” when they are unable to open it.

Remember, it’s important to keep practice positive and fun to improve participation and keep your child engaged with you.

Tip 2 - Practice next during your routine for leaving the house

A routine direction that many children learn early on is “Get your shoes” or “Put your shoes on.” Children can often anticipate this direction because you likely have a routine that you perform while getting ready to go to the park, like gathering your keys and bag. This is a great direction to practice because there’s a functional reason for why you do it.

When you ask your child to follow a direction that has a clear purpose, they are much more likely to comply than if you ask them to do something random. At this stage, it’s okay to provide your child with help - like showing them that you're grabbing your things, or pointing toward the door to indicate that it’s time to leave.

Be sure to say the direction the same way every time so they can become familiar with the precise words you are using.

Tip 3 - Practice with routine one step directions during an activity that your child enjoys

Now I want you to think about the routines you do with your child every day. Pick one that your child especially enjoys, and have them help out. Give them the same job to do every day, and use the same direction each time.

For example, if your child likes helping you feed the dog every morning, you might have them “Get the bowl” every time. If your child loves snack time, you might practice “Sit at the table” every day. You may have to show your child exactly what to do at first, but over time, your child should be able to follow these directions on their own within the context of your routine.

One more tip — try to pick routines that allow extra time for your toddler to help, knowing that it may take a bit longer than if you were to do it by yourself. It’s hard to allow your toddler this learning time if you are running late to work, so pick routines that are less time-sensitive.

Download our activity guide for practicing with simple one step instructions at home ↓

At home activity for practicing with simple everyday commands:

Daily chores
Materials:

Nothing outside of daily life. Specific materials depend on what directions you choose to focus on. 

Set-up:

Everyday directions mean things you say every day to your child or when your child is around. Choose 1 or 2 of these to actively practice with your child. These may be things like: 

  • Throw diaper in the trash 

  • Put in (put laundry in hamper, put clean clothes in drawer, put toys in bin)

  • Throw it away

  • Turn on/off light 

Think about what you say frequently and during what activity. We want these to make sense within your daily routine. It doesn't make sense to ask your child to throw away a diaper, while you’re outside on the swings. But if you stop the swings to change his diaper or sibling’s diaper, NOW it would make sense to ask them to throw it away.


Note: Be purposeful in choosing what to work on. I purposely didn’t practice with things like my keys or my cell phone, even those are so fun and motivating, because I didn’t want to build the association that those are toys or things for my child, as they would inevitably then be throw in into a random box or bin while my child “helped” when I wasn’t looking 😀 That’s just a personal example, find what works for you and your family 😊 

What to do:

After you’ve chosen your 1 or 2 directions to focus on… pick one activity to practice that skill on, every single time you do it (or as much as possible). If you choose “put in”, and pair it with laundry, then be prepared to have your child “help” you with the laundry each day. Or if you choose “throw away” paired with throwing out a dirty diaper, be prepared to have them throw out the diaper after all (or most) changes.

Make sure you share these tasks with other caregivers, so that your child is getting consistent practice. 

Set up the situation. If your child is helping with “put in” for laundry, then have that laundry hamper ready when the dryer is done and then call your child over. Or if it’s throwing things away, make sure the trash can is accessible. 

What to say:

When the situation you’ve picked arises,

  1. Verbally tell your child the direction “throw it away”... then pause, count to 3 or 5 in your head

  2. After counting to 3, repeat it “throw it away.”

  3. If they haven’t done it yet, take their hands and do it together with them, while again saying “throw it away.” 

You can also build in the routine by calling their attention to what you’re doing… with an extra emphasis on the direction part of your narration. Examples such as:  “eeeew this diaper is so stinky! So much pee pee! THROW IT AWAY, ew yuck!”  or “Nice warm clean clothes. Yay. Clean clothes go IN the hamper. Let’s PUT IN the hamper”

When the task is done, give specific praise. “You/we did it. We put all the clothes IN the hamper! Thanks for helping me” 

Then the next time that situation arises, practice it again. Over time, your child will need less repetitions, and less practice doing it with you. 

Download the PDF activity guide for daily chores + 2 more activities ↓

© 2020-2022. Stephanie Keffer, MS CCC-SLP. All Rights Reserved.

 

The content offered on ToddlerTalk.com is for informational purposes only. Toddler Talk is not engaged in rendering professional advice, whether medical or otherwise, to individual users or their children or families. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor, speech language pathologist, or other health professional.  By accessing the content on ToddlerTalk.com, you acknowledge and agree that you are accepting the responsibility for your child’s health and well-being. In return for providing you with information related to home speech and language practice, you waive any claims that you or your child may have as a result of utilizing the content on ToddlerTalk.com.

Stephanie Keffer

Following 1-Step Instructions - How to ABA

Follow Instructions?

You love working on arts & crafts projects and are currently working on a card for the holidays, “Pass me the scissors!” you state to your partner sitting across the table from you.

A furnace needs some cleaning and maintenance before the season changes – “Can you give me the screwdriver?” the HVAC technician asks his apprentice.

Following 1-step instructions is a big part of our daily functioning and is more prevalent than we initially realize. We can see how this simple and basic skill can be applicable for work and academic tasks, as well as in social situations. Following a 1-step instruction paves the way for following more complex requests with additional steps.

The teacher calls out to the class, “Get your history and geography notebooks, then sit at your desk.”.

Your boss gives you a new project that involves multiple steps before completion.

A friend has a surprise birthday party coming up, and you need to follow the host’s directions on where to park and how to enter through the back of the house to not ruin the surprise.

If we want our learners to be able to engage in similar activities, we need to teach them to follow 1-step instructions.

Why Are Instructions Important?

As you can tell from the examples above, following instructions is part of our everyday activities. If we want our learners to excel in the classroom, the workforce, as well as socially, then we need to start with simple 1-step instructions.

Our goal is that the learner will comply with the instruction on the first request, without engaging in stereotypy.

How Can We Accomplish This?

Start with skills already in the learner’s repertoire to ensure compliance and to gain instructional control. Once you have gained their attention, present your instruction (the SD), and provide reinforcement for appropriate attending behaviour.

Example:
SD: “clap your hands”
Learner claps hands

What If…?

What if the learner errs or engages in stereotypy? Bring the learner back to the spot where you initially gave the instruction and re-present the SD. Here you will need to physically prompt the learner to complete the 1-step instruction.

Example:
SD: “clap your hands”
Learner taps on the table
You may need to re-gain the learner’s attention before presenting the SD again
Re-present the SD: “clap your hands”
Use a full-physical prompt to clap the learners’ hands

What Next?

Now that you have a basic understanding of the importance of teaching 1-step instructions, and what to expect when teaching this skill – what requests should you give to your learner?

Below is a breakdown of the 6 types of instructions to present to your learner.


1-Step Simple Instructions – Cued
This first set of target responses are cued instructions. This means that there is a cue in the environment which will help direct the learner on how to successfully complete the task.

Example:
SD: “high five”
Instructor holds up their own hand

1-Step Simple Instructions – Not Cued
The second set of simple instructions is not cued. These do not include cues in the environment for how to successfully complete them.

Example:
SD: “clap your hands”

1-Step Instruction Involving Distance
These instructions differ from the previous two steps, as it involves the learner travelling a short distance to complete the task.

Example:
SD: “Put this in the garbage”

1-Step Instruction to “Go Get” an Item
This step requires the learner to have the pre-requisite skill of learned receptive labels (check out our blog post on Discrimination Training). Here the student will need to combine the learned skills of following 1-step instructions involving distance and discrimination training (being able to identify the item requested).

Example:
SD: “Go get the water bottle”

1-Step Instruction – Increased Distance
The goal of this step is to expand on their previously mastered skills. To ensure that learners can apply these skills in multiple contexts, we want to increase the distance between the learner and instructor to mimic a classroom setting.

2-Step Instructions
Now that our learner can follow learned and novel 1-step instructions in different contexts (e.g., sitting, standing, while moving, etc.), we want to teach them to follow any combination of instructions.

Example:
“Clap your hands, and wave”, should not always be presented together.

When it comes to providing 2-step instructions, you can choose from any previously learned 1-step instruction. The main thing to remember when teaching this step is to not always pair the same two combinations together. The more variety in the instruction, the better for your learner!

Click here to watch our video

step-by-step instructions with photos and videos and tips from pediatricians

Even before a baby is born, parents buy a dowry. Diapers are usually included in the list of things that a woman takes with her when going to childbirth. They do not need to be taken except to the maternity hospital, where such textiles are issued.

It is not uncommon for expectant mothers to receive training in newborn care during pregnancy, including how to swaddle a baby. Let's figure out what it is for, whether there is any potential harm and how to swaddle a newborn baby. nine0003

Is it necessary to swaddle a baby

To swaddle or not to swaddle a newborn? Previously, this question did not arise at all. From the very first days of life, grandmothers and mothers swaddled their children.

But today, many refuse to swaddle newborns at all, and immediately use rompers, undershirts, bodysuits, and so on. In addition, there are many different devices for newborns that can, to one degree or another, serve as an alternative to classic swaddling: for example, cocoon diapers with zippers or Velcro, in which you can easily and quickly place a baby. But there are still a lot of young parents who actively use swaddling, as they did many years ago. nine0003

What do experts say about this?

Physicians do not deny the possibility and/or necessity of swaddling. But they argue about variations. Some scientists and doctors are convinced that tight swaddling with arms and legs straightened when the baby cannot move them harms the child: it slows down the development of basic movements, impairs the possibility of full heat production by the muscles, promotes heat loss, in addition, there is a problem in the development of sensory intelligence and is drowned out. the so-called "freedom reflex" (1). nine0003

Advocates of swaddling argue that it will not harm the baby if the baby is swaddled only at bedtime. In this case, the development of the musculoskeletal system will not be disturbed, and the “feeling of freedom” may even be more pronounced against the background of the difference between swaddling for sleep and the ability to actively move during wakefulness (2). However, the swaddling method with straightening and strict fixation of the limbs (tight swaddling) is still not considered physiological. But free swaddling, in which the child can move his arms and legs a little, is quite acceptable and even encouraged by a number of specialists. nine0003

At the same time, in a number of countries (for example, in Germany) it is not customary to swaddle children at all. And large-scale problems in terms of child development are not observed.

Therefore, to swaddle or not to swaddle a newborn, which method to use is up to the parents. But it will not be superfluous to consult a pediatrician and, possibly, narrow specialists.

Benefits of swaddling

No wonder this practice has been around the world for centuries. A number of advantages contribute to this. nine0003

  • Swaddling can make it easier to fall asleep and improve sleep during the heightened Moro reflex period, usually the first 2-3 months after birth. This is especially convenient if the baby is restless, overly active: the limited space that is created as a result of swaddling remotely reminds the baby of the conditions of a close, cozy mother's belly (3).
  • When children learn to roll over, they may accidentally roll over in their sleep and bury their face in the mattress or pillow, which is dangerous. That is, swaddling reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (3). nine0028
  • Active babies often wake themselves up and scare themselves in their sleep, they can even grab their hair or scratch them - swaddling with handles eliminates this possibility.
  • "Wide swaddling" is considered by some experts to prevent the development of dysplasia. However, swaddling is not recommended for diagnosed pathology of the hip joints (2).

Disadvantages of swaddling

If we talk about swaddling in general, there are quite a few disadvantages of the so-called "tight" swaddling. Otherwise, the potential harm of swaddling is disputed by many experts. nine0003

  • Tight swaddling may interfere with the development of arm and leg muscles, impair the development of the hip joints (this method was widely used in the past, it is now not recommended).
  • Tight swaddling can exacerbate hip dysplasia and should be identified as early as possible (2).
  • There is a risk of overheating of the newborn (if the amount of clothes under the diaper is not chosen correctly, taking into account the temperature regime). Or vice versa: with tight swaddling, the child may freeze (when the arms and legs do not move, the muscles cannot generate heat, in addition, the heat transfer surface increases) (1). nine0028
  • Permanent restriction of movements can adversely affect the development of the baby, so the child should not be swaddled while awake.

Types of swaddling

There are several types of swaddling. Let's look at different variations.

Tight swaddling

The swaddle covers the baby's body as tightly as possible (there is an option when the baby is wrapped with the head), arms are tightly fixed along the body, as well as legs. The baby's movements are limited, he cannot move his limbs and even his neck (if swaddled with his head). This method of swaddling was widely used earlier: it was believed that in this position the child would sleep better, would not wake himself up in his sleep with his hands and feet. In addition, our ancestors believed that with the help of such swaddling it was possible to correct the legs. nine0003

“Now this type of swaddling is not used,” says our expert Anna Levadnaya, pediatrician, candidate of medical sciences, author of a blog about pediatrics. - It is not physiological, interferes with the development of the muscles of the legs and arms, can disrupt breathing and the development of the hip joints. Of course, tight swaddling does not lead to “correction of the legs”, as was previously thought.

Loose swaddling

There are two options for free swaddling. The first is not tight fixation of the arms and legs. In this case, it turns out something like an envelope for sleeping, in which only the baby’s head “peeps out” from the diaper, while the newborn can move his arms and legs, but cannot pull them out of the diaper. nine0003

“Taking into account the pronounced “physiological” hypertonicity in the first months of life, it is more correct to swaddle a newborn with arms crossed on the chest, and not stretched along the body,” advises Anna Levadnaya. - The legs do not need to be stretched straight when swaddling, they should be in a free position.

The second version of free swaddling is without hands, when only the legs are wrapped in the fabric. It looks like a sleeping bag. The baby's chest remains open, he can freely move his arms. The legs are also fixed loosely, freedom of movement is maintained. nine0003

Wide swaddling

This type of swaddling is used according to indications. It is usually recommended for pathologies of the hip joints, including dysplasia or immaturity of the hip joints, when it is necessary to fix the legs of a newborn in a divorced position - the so-called "M-position" or "frog".

The peculiarity of this variant of swaddling is that a roller of several diapers is placed between the baby's legs apart to fix them in this position and only then the legs are wrapped in cloth. Hands remain free. nine0003

Step-by-step instructions for parents

So, let's take a closer look at how to swaddle a newborn. As we have already said, pediatricians recommend free swaddling, with or without handles - at the discretion of the parents. We will show both of these methods.

Loose swaddling with handles

This method means that the baby will be completely swaddled, except for the head. This option is suitable, for example, for sleep - the baby will not be able to accidentally wake himself up. However, it is possible that he will show dissatisfaction if you do not begin to swaddle him completely, with handles, immediately after birth. nine0003

Step 1

Take a clean diaper. The most convenient size is 120 by 90 cm. We lay it out on a flat, hard, but not very hard surface (a changing table with a mattress will do, a regular table, a soft bed or a sofa will not). We slightly turn the top of the diaper inward so that the edge does not rub the delicate skin of the newborn in the neck area.

Step 2

Place the newborn on the diaper so that its upper edge is at the level of the lower part of the back of the head.

Step 3

Place the left hand along the body, take the left corner of the diaper and place it under the baby's back. We fix the arm loosely - the child should be able to move his limbs. We do the same with the right hand and the right corner of the diaper. The sequence can be any - as you wish. You can also fix the arms of the newborn not along the body, but crossed on the chest. This position is more physiological for a newly born baby.

Step 4

Take the bottom free corners of the diaper, turn the bottom edge of the diaper a little inward, and put it on the baby's legs. nine0003

Step 5

We take the right part of the diaper (the sequence can be any), put it under the newborn's buttocks, carefully straighten it. Then we do the same with the left side, and bend the corner - we fix the diaper so that it does not turn around. Please note that there should be enough space in the diaper so that the baby can move his legs and straighten them.

Free swaddling without handles

Probably the only disadvantage of this method is that the child can wake himself up with his hands, scare or even scratch him (if special anti-scratch mittens are not put on his hands). Therefore, it is possible that loose swaddling of only the lower body is not suitable for a very active baby. nine0003

Step 1

Place the clean diaper on a flat, firm but not too hard surface. Slightly tuck the top of the diaper inward. We put on a vest or bodysuit for the baby.

Step 2

Place the newborn on the diaper so that its top edge is approximately at the level of the baby's chest.

Step 3

We take the left corner of the diaper (the sequence can be any) and put it behind the back of the baby, gently straighten it so that nothing interferes with the baby. We do the same with the right corner of the diaper. nine0003

Step 4

Take the two bottom free corners of the diaper. If the bottom of the diaper is too long, then you can bend it a little. Or you can cross the ends of the diaper. Next, we throw the lower part of the diaper over the body of the baby.

Step 5

We take the right part of the diaper (the sequence can be any), put it under the baby's buttocks, carefully straighten it. Then we do the same with the left side, and bend the corner - the diaper needs to be fixed so that it does not turn around. There should be enough space inside so that the child can move his legs and straighten them. nine0003

Popular Questions and Answers

Let's answer some of the questions asked by many parents of newborn babies and those who have yet to have a long-awaited meeting.

What is the difference between swaddling a boy and a girl?

There are no differences in how boys and girls are swaddled. The options and techniques used are the same. Unless the colors of the diapers may be different. Often, for girls, parents use pink shades, for boys - blue color options. Although today on the market the choice of designs and colors of diapers is so wide that you can find a thing to your taste that will not emphasize the gender of the baby. In addition, you can purchase fabric and sew diapers yourself, or have a professional make them. nine0003

Until what age do you have to swaddle?

- The duration of swaddling is individual, - says pediatrician Anna Levadnaya. - You can swaddle a baby up to 7-8 months, and sometimes longer. Up to 2-3 months, babies sleep better with fixed handles. But as the Moro reflex decreases, feeding and sleep are getting better - this usually happens by 3-4 months - you need to gradually accustom the child to swaddling without handles. This is especially true if the child has learned to roll over, can do it in a dream and bury himself in the mattress. If you swaddled the baby for a long time, fixing both hands, then act gradually: first, teach to sleep with one hand outside, then remove the other. nine0003

Remember a few more simple but important rules.

• The child must not be swaddled while awake.
• Make sure the baby does not overheat while sleeping. The amount and warmth of clothing under the diaper is selected depending on the air temperature and humidity. An overheated child will sweat, sleep poorly, worry and cry.

Sources

  1. The influence of swaddling on the development of sensory intelligence in babies. Krutiy E. L., Pastyuk O. V. // National Association of Scientists. 2015. URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/vliyanie-pelenaniya-na-razvitie-sensornogo-intellekta-malyshey/viewer
  2. Infancy and tradition. Wiesel T. G. // Bulletin of Ugric Studies. 2013. URL: https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/mladenchestvo-i-dan-traditsiyam/viewer
  3. Swaddling a Baby – When & How to Do It Right Way. Medically reviewed by Dr. Gunjan Baweja. URL: https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/a-guide-to-swaddling-a-baby/

step-by-step instructions and advice from a pediatrician

So, you brought a newborn baby home - fed, put to bed, and in the evening will be the first bath. Of course, for many mothers (especially if the child is the first), the process of bathing causes panic and fear. What if water gets into the child's nose or ears? But what if the water is too hot or cold, and the baby gets burned or catches a cold? Is it necessary to use potassium permanganate or can you get by with a decoction of chamomile? Do I need to use a washcloth, and which bathing product is better to choose. Let's dwell on each moment in more detail. nine0003

Step-by-step instructions on how to bathe a newborn in a tub for the first time

Step 1. Choosing a tub for your baby

The first thing you need to purchase is a small tub for bathing your baby. Some parents prefer to immediately bathe the child in a large bath, and this is not prohibited, but causes some trouble. Before each bath, the bath must be thoroughly washed and rinsed, and it is more difficult to monitor the temperature of the water, so it is easier to purchase a small bath. And only when the baby grows up, it will be possible to let him go on a “big swim”, laying a rubber mat in the bath or putting a slide. nine0003

Now children's stores offer a huge range of baby baths - anatomical, with a special slide-stand, with a built-in changing table and other models designed to facilitate the process of bathing. If possible, you can purchase an improved model, but the simplest bath will be absolutely no worse.

Step 2. Prepare everything you need for a bath baby after bathing. nine0003

Water thermometer, needed to measure the temperature of the water in the bathroom - so as not to overheat and freeze the baby. Of course, you can use the usual method and check the temperature of the water by dropping it on your wrist or elbow, but everyone's perception can be different, so it's better to play it safe. The water temperature recommended by pediatricians for bathing is 34 - 36 degrees. In the bathroom itself, the air temperature should be about 25 - 26 degrees so that the baby does not freeze. When the child grows up, the temperature of the water and air in the room can be slowly reduced, tempering the child. nine0003

When choosing a bath product, it doesn't matter at all whether it is a baby soap bar or a bath gel. The main thing is that the composition does not contain any strong fragrances, dyes and aggressive detergents. The bathing agent should be hypoallergenic, soft, wash off well and be suitable for washing the head and the whole body of the child.

Photo: Hans Lippert, globallookpress.com

Step 3. Choose the right time for bathing

Pediatricians advise bathing your baby when he is in a good mood - full, not crying, not falling asleep. It is best to bathe a newborn baby before evening feeding and bedtime. It's also best to bathe your baby at the same time every time so that he gradually develops a routine so he doesn't cry or fall asleep by accident when you fill the tub. nine0003

Step 4. Fill the tub with water

Wash the tub itself with baking soda before bathing (it's best not to use cleaning products, as they may not rinse well). As for the age-old question of whether it is necessary to add potassium permanganate to the water when bathing, now pediatricians do not recommend adding either potassium permanganate or any decoctions of medicinal herbs or special disinfectants. After all, if you overdo it with the amount of potassium permanganate or dissolve it poorly in water, you can easily burn the baby's delicate skin. Medicinal herbs can cause severe allergic reactions. There is also no need to boil water for bathing. nine0003

How much water to fill the bath? Pediatricians advise not to fill the bath completely, it is enough that the water slightly covers the baby's body when bathing.

Step 5. Getting to the actual bathing

Before you start bathing, make sure that the tub is stable and does not wobble. For convenience, you can install a special slide for swimming there, after putting a diaper on top so that the baby does not slip off it. Gently undress your baby and gently lower him into the water. You can lower the child into the water right in the diaper, and then carefully unfold it. Let the baby get used to the water: let him chat in it with his arms and legs. If the baby cries a lot, do not delay the bathing process, but pull it out of the water. nine0003

Be sure to hold the child - for example, place his head on your forearm of your left hand, and with your right hand, gently lather the child's body, carefully wash all the folds on the arms and legs, on the neck, behind the ears, inguinal folds. Do not forget to open the baby's fists, rinse the palms and between the fingers. Lastly, start washing your hair - gently distribute a small amount of bathing product through your hair, massage lightly and rinse off the foam with water from the ladle. Be sure to cover your child's forehead with your hand to prevent water from getting into your eyes. You do not need to wash your baby's head with baby shampoo every time you bathe, because newborn babies do not have time to get dirty in a day. Also, you do not need to wash your baby with soap every day. There is nothing to worry about if a little water gets into the auricles - after bathing, just gently blot the ear canal with a cotton swab, which will absorb all the excess moisture. At the very end, rinse the baby with clean water from a ladle to completely wash off the soap suds. nine0003

– The most important rule when bathing a baby is never leave him alone in the water, even if you just need to turn around for a towel or reach for shampoo. Always prepare everything you need for swimming in advance or ask someone from the household to give you the right thing, advises pediatrician Yulia Berezhanskaya .

How long does it take to bathe a newborn baby? For the first bath, 5-10 minutes is enough, then this time can be gradually increased to 30 minutes, the main thing is that the water does not cool down too much. nine0003

Step 6. Finishing bathing

After you have finished bathing your newborn baby, carefully, not forgetting to hold his head, take him out of the water and wrap him in a previously prepared terry towel. If the towel has a corner, use it as a cap for the baby. Transfer your baby to a changing table or a prepared surface, then gently pat the wet skin dry with a towel. Do not rub delicate skin, so as not to damage it. After that, carefully treat the umbilical wound, apply diaper cream or powder on the baby’s body, put on a diaper, cap and other clothes. Everything, now you can start feeding the baby. nine0003

Step 7. What if the child is sick or after vaccination?

Of course, many mothers are interested in the following question - is it possible to bathe a newborn baby if he is sick or has recently been vaccinated. Most pediatricians advise not to bathe your baby on the day of the vaccination. On other days, you can bathe the baby, but you do not need to rub the vaccination site. As for the disease, it all depends on the condition of the baby - if he is lethargic, very naughty, then it is better to refuse to bathe. If the baby is cheerful and active, you can bathe him, but do not delay the process itself and quickly dress the child in warm clothes. nine0003

Frequently asked questions and answers

Is it necessary to use potassium permanganate for bathing newborns and what can replace it?

- Normal water is used for bathing newborns. It does not need to be boiled, it is not necessary to sterilize or add any special means. We also do not add potassium permanganate. Firstly, it is now available only with a prescription, because it is a serious drug, and if you use it thoughtlessly, you can seriously suffer. It is enough just to treat the umbilical wound after bathing with hydrogen peroxide, - explains pediatrician, member of the "Council of Children's Experts" Yulia Berezhanskaya. nine0003

How often should a newborn be bathed during the cold season, especially if the house is cool?

– It is desirable to carry out hygiene and water procedures every day – this is rather not a matter of cleanliness, but hardening, physical activity, calming down, contact with water and other moments that have a beneficial effect on the child. Therefore, if possible, we bathe the child daily, regardless of the season and the weather outside the window. The optimum temperature in the room for the normal functioning of the body is 19- 21 degrees. Rarely in which apartment does the temperature drop below these indicators, so we calmly bathe the baby every day, the pediatrician explains.

What should I do if my baby's skin flakes after bathing?

- The skin of a newborn baby undergoes peeling during the first month of life. It can be large-lamellar peeling or medium- and small-lamellar peeling, which manifests itself on all skin integuments. It has nothing to do with bathing, water has nothing to do with it. The severity of peeling varies from child to child, and it makes no sense to try to get rid of it with the help of various oils, emollient creams and ointments. This epithelium disappears on its own within 3-5 weeks without much help, - explains children's expert Yulia Berezhanskaya. nine0141

What herbal decoctions can be added to the bath if the child has diaper rash or skin irritation?

- Here is the same story as with potassium permanganate. It is not required to add anything to the water so as not to harm the child. Herbal decoctions are, first of all, medicines that we try not to use in children unless absolutely necessary, since there is a high risk of developing local allergic reactions. Therefore, we don’t do anything with the skin of a newborn baby - just ordinary water, detergent 1-2 times a week, if necessary, and that’s it, the doctor notes. nine0003

What should you pay attention to first of all when bathing a newborn baby?

- When bathing a newborn baby, first of all, we pay attention to ... the condition of the parents. Because very often, especially with the first child, it is difficult to coordinate actions, hence the excessive excitement and fuss. We remember about safety - if we bathe a child in a separate bath, it must stand steadily on some kind of solid surface. You can bathe the baby immediately in a large bath - the main thing is to check the temperature of the water before putting the child there. You can not use the thermometer, but focus on your own feelings - here the choice is already up to the parents. Water can enter both the ears and the navel, but the main thing is not to get into the mouth. In no case do we leave a child alone in the bath - regardless of age, not for one second.

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