Bonding With Your Baby-Bathing With
Your Little One (Part 1)
By Wendy
Williamson
This is probably my favorite bonding time of
any. I began doing this with my first baby, and
by the time I gave birth to Gabrielle, I could
not wait until her belly button healed, so that
we could begin our bathing experience together.
Who needs those little plastic tubs that hurt
your back to bend over, but most importantly,
the skin to skin contact with your baby is so
incredibly soothing to both you and the baby.
Each evening after dinner, I ran some warm
water and would get into the tub, and then have
Robert hand the baby to me. It is such a
wonderful, peaceful time for us to bathe
together and sing and talk.
I usually will do this for about 4-6 months,
and it is very interesting each night to see the
developments that the baby accomplishes. The
baby will begin to splash and play, and because
of the security of being right there, I believe
that they become very comfortable in the water
and find this to be a fun and comforting time
before bed. At times when I was in a hurry and I
still wanted to have that bonding time between
me and the baby, I would shower with the baby.
It is still a very pleasant time for us to
spend.
However, you need to be very careful with
both of these activities. Always have someone
there with you to help you with the baby. My
husband would always stay in the bathroom with
us while we played in the bathtub. Also, make
sure that you never get out of the tub or shower
while holding the baby. Give the baby to someone
else, and then get yourself out. Also, while you
are in the bathtub or shower, hold onto the baby
very securely. If I was in the tub or shower,
the baby was never out of my arms. And as
everyone knows, don't ever leave your baby
unattended during these times.
Enjoy these times; they go so quickly.
Copyright 2006, Wendy Williamson
