251 Chapter 11 Providing for the Infant’s Developmental Needs
with a sanitizing solution, such as one
teaspoon of household bleach per one
cup of water made fresh daily. Leave
it in contact with the surface for two
minutes. The surface may be air dried
or wiped dry. Caregivers should also
wash their hands (and the baby’s
hands) after each diaper change.
Tub Bathing
Tub bathing can begin as soon
as the baby’s navel and circumcision
have healed. When preparing for a
tub bath, the steps are the same as
those used for sponge bathing listed
in Chapter 7. The only difference is
that a small tub is fi lled with about
three inches of water. The water
should be comfortably warm. You
can test the water’s temperature
by dipping your wrist or elbow
into the water. Have everything
(shampoo, washcloth, towels, skin
care products, and diaper) ready
before getting the baby. See the
steps for tub bathing listed in 11-9.
Put the baby in a safe place before
cleaning the tub area.
Like diapering, bathing is a
good time to play with babies.
As babies are bathed, they enjoy
parents who talk, sing, cuddle, and
smile. Babies often respond well
because warm water is relaxing. As
babies get older, they enjoy kicking
and splashing in the water as their
parents hold them. Water play is
good for baby’s developing motor
skills as well as being lots of fun.
Establishing Routines
A routine helps children feel
secure because it teaches them what to
expect. Routines, such as having one’s
physical needs met promptly, help
infants develop basic trust. Although
babies do not know clock time, they
do develop a sense of rhythm in their
lives formed around routine care.
Schedules also help adults get their
baby-care tasks done with greater
ease. A schedule is important, but
remember to adjust it as needed.
Routines should fi t babies’ and
adults’ needs. Schedules should also
change as babies mature. For older
babies, feedings are more widely
spaced, daytime naps grow shorter,
and more playtime is needed.
Rest and Sleep
Rest and sleep are important to
a baby’s health. Like others, babies
vary in the amount of rest and sleep
they need. From one to three months,
babies need a total of 14 to 16.5 hours
of sleep. For the remainder of the
fi rst year, babies need 14 to 15 hours
of sleep. Many babies begin sleeping
through the night at twelve weeks,
but some sleep fewer hours for
many months. If the baby does not
sleep well at night, parents may try
to rearrange their baby’s schedule.
Awakening babies after four hours
of daytime sleep should help the
baby sleep longer at night. (If a baby
sleeps well at night, parents should
not interfere with daytime naps.)
Some babies who have slept
through the night may begin to
awaken and cry during the night. This
often happens between fi ve and eight
months. Hunger is seldom the reason
for this awakening. As babies awaken,
they may feel lonely and long to have
a parent near. Parents should check
on their crying babies, comfort them
for a few minutes, and then put them
down. Playing with a baby during the
night is not a good habit to form.
Many babies take long naps in
both the morning and afternoon until