After discharge from the hospital, happy parents are faced with a large number of questions, the answers to which they will find in the next few months. How to put a baby to sleep, the better to feed, why children cry after bathing - this is not a complete list of problems that all young mothers and fathers have to solve.
Reasons for baby crying after bathing
The purpose of bathing a newborn baby is not only cleansing his skin from all kinds of pollution, but also calming, preparing for sleep. However, sometimes this procedure has the opposite effect. Instead of relaxing and wanting to sleep, the baby begins to cry a lot and it can be difficult even for mom to calm him down.
Possible reasons why a baby is crying after bathing:
- A sharp change in temperature. If in the room where the child is used to being, the temperature is not too high (22-23 ° C), and the water in the bathroom significantly exceeds this indicator. This can cause some discomfort and, as a result, the baby cries.
- Incorrect water temperature. When preparing the bath for a baby, you can not focus on your feelings. The water temperature normal for an adult may be unacceptably hot or too cool for sensitive babies.
- Hunger or thirst for drink. At this stage of life, a little man is not able to communicate his desires in any way, except for crying. While swimming, a large amount of energy is consumed, which can cause hunger or thirst in a child, which parents will definitely learn about by demanding cries.
- Fear of the unknown. Everything around a newborn child is of interest, and sometimes even fear of a new and unknown. After bathing, the baby may be afraid, for example, of the height to which he was raised to get out of the bathroom.
- An overabundance of emotions. In an adult child, soap bubbles, colorful toys and water splashes cause only joy and tenderness. For the fragile psyche of a nursing infant, an overabundance of emotions, albeit positive, can cause stress. That is why children cry after bathing.
- Fatigue and desire to sleep. Water procedures can tire even an adult, the child also, having relaxed in warm water, is ready for bed. When, instead of the expected rest, they begin to wipe it and change clothes, the crumbs may not like it.
- Pain syndrome. Bathing time usually falls on the evening hours, during the same period colic worsens. In older children, crying after bathing may be associated with teething pain.
- Duration of bathing. There is always the possibility that the child is not happy with the fact that he was bought too quickly or the procedure was delayed.
- The time of water procedures. If the baby is hungry or wants to sleep while bathing, it is recommended to postpone the water procedures at an earlier or later time.
- The excitement of parents. There is an invisible connection between the newborn baby and its parents, especially the mother. All young children are very sensitive to her mood. Therefore, when bathing a child, keep calm.
Parent Tips
How to avoid crying after bathing? In order for water procedures to bring pleasure to both the child and parents, the following recommendations should be followed:
- To avoid a sharp change in temperature, gradually add cool water to the bathroom during the bathing process, so the baby will not feel any discomfort.
- The skin of the elbow joint is considered the most sensitive part of the skin of an adult - lowering this part of the body into the bath, you can understand if the water is too hot for the child.
- For a more accurate determination of the temperature of the water, especially during the first baths, it is better to use a thermometer.
- It is better to bathe the baby an hour after feeding and an hour and a half before bedtime.
- During bathing, avoid excitement and sudden movements so as not to frighten the child.
- If colic is the reason why a month-old baby cries after bathing, massage the abdomen before taking a bath.
- The duration and time of bathing should be adjusted depending on the desire of the baby.
If the parents had a question why the child cries badly after bathing, it is necessary to review all stages of water procedures so that this process brings the baby only positive emotions.
Compliance with the temperature regime
Why does the baby cry every time after bathing? Often the cause of this reaction of the baby is the failure to comply with the optimal temperature of water and air, both in the bathroom and in the rest of the room.
Correct temperature conditions:
- The optimum temperature for bathing a child is considered to be a water temperature of 36-37 ° C.
- The air in the room where the baby grows should not exceed + 22-25 ° C.
- So that the baby does not suffer from a temperature difference, it is recommended not to close the door to the bathroom where the procedure takes place.
Uncomfortable water temperature in most cases is the reason why children cry after bathing.
Preparation for water procedures
To avoid the dissatisfaction of the child, you can prepare him for this procedure.
Manipulations before water procedures:
- give the child a general massage using baby cream or oil, and massage the abdomen in case of intestinal colic;
- conduct gymnastics corresponding to the age of the baby;
- go to swimming.
If the child’s first bath was in the days when the umbilical wound had not yet healed, bathing water must first be boiled.
Bathing options
Each parent decides how to bathe a child individually, and it is impossible to say which option is better.
Consider several ways:
- In a small bath. The optimal solution for the first swim when there is a need for boiling water. Also, this option is relevant if there is an interruption in the water supply in the apartment or house.
- In the big bathroom. The advantages of such bathing are that the baby has room for movement: he can actively move his arms and legs, roll over.
- Bathing with mom. This option can be used only after the complete cessation of postpartum discharge.
In the process of water procedures, parents will certainly understand whether the child is comfortable and will be able to answer the question why the child cries after bathing in the bathroom.
Folk remedies for washing infants
It was previously believed that water for bathing newborns should be boiled. Now the opinion of pediatricians has changed - such advice is valid only in the first days of a baby's life. After healing of the umbilical wound, it is enough to add herbal decoctions to the bath to give the healing power to the water.
What can be added to the bathtub for bathing a baby:
- a decoction of a string and chamomile (4 tablespoons of dry grass per 1 liter of boiling water);
- potassium permanganate solution (completely dissolve 5-6 crystals in a glass of boiling water, then cool the resulting solution and add to the bath).
In such additives, it makes sense if the baby's skin is prone to sweating, diathesis, and also until the navel has healed. In other cases, it is enough to bathe the baby in clean water, several times a week, using a special detergent.
Essential Items
In order for the baby to bathe successfully, before the start of water procedures, the mother must make sure that everything necessary is available.
The list of items for bathing, during and after it:
- thermometer for measuring water temperature;
- gel, foam or shampoo that does not cause tears;
- a large towel made of natural material, preferably with a corner;
- herbal decoction or a solution of potassium permanganate.
As additional devices, you can use a slide, an inflatable ring, bathing toys, a chair for mom, if she is hard to bend over.
Possible difficulties
Sometimes the question why a child cries every time after bathing, the answer suggests itself.
Obvious problems when bathing a baby:
- The kid drowned in water. In this situation, it is important not to panic - the newborn still has congenital reflexes, thanks to which it does not choke, but only cleans the airways.
- Parents are uncomfortable holding a child. If the baby is swimming on his back, it is enough to support his head. At the first attempts to swim on the stomach, support the baby under the chin and chest.
You can find out why children cry after bathing for a long time. But if you take this process as mutual pleasure, such a problem will not arise.