Another first: Jessica had her first bath early this evening. General advice is to not bathe the baby too soon after birth or too often, and to not use any lotions, baby oils or soap for the first month. Ian filled up the bath while I wrapped Jessica in a towel. We washed her face first, then her hair over the bath, and then came the big moment: how would she like being put in the bath…? Not very well, as it turned out. She was screaming constantly from when we dipped her in to when she’d been swaddled in another towel and dried. Not until I started rubbing her hands and feet with olive oil (the latest midwife had recommended this, and this only, for baby’s dry skin) did she calm down.
In one of the baby ‘instruction manuals’ we’ve been referring to it says that a bath once a week is sufficient, unless the baby really enjoys it. I think it’s safe to say we’ll be sticking with the once a week thing – partly too as Ian doesn’t come home from work until 7.30-8pm week day evenings and we’d feel safer being the two of us bathing her together.
Many, many thanks to everyone that has sent Jessica cards and pressies – we’ve really enjoyed all your greetings and well-wishes! In addition to the gifts shown below, Jessica’s also received gift vouchers and money – the latter will go into a savings account for her, which we will open for her as soon as we’ve registered her birth.
Gabriella