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Newborns are often bathed with leaf water to treat diaper rash and soothe the skin because leaf water provides antibacterial benefits, promotes quick healing, and offers a cooling sensation compared to clean water. Below are 5 readily available leaf types that are perfect for making refreshing and gentle baby bathwater.
1. Green Tea Leaves
Using green tea leaves to bathe your baby twice a week or to cleanse their genital area daily can effectively prevent diaper rash. However, it's important to note that you should only bathe your baby twice a week as their skin is thin and sensitive, prone to irritation.
Here's how to prepare green tea leaf water: Take 300g of clean green tea leaves, crush them, then boil them in a pot. Strain the water and add it to the bath, ensuring the water is around 37-38 degrees Celsius. It's recommended to use your elbow to test the water temperature for your baby's bath, as the sensation in your elbow is more accurate than in your hand.
2. Guava Leaves
This leaf water is highly effective in treating diaper rash for your child. And the method of making the water is quite simple: Take a handful of soaked guava leaves, wash them thoroughly, remove the tough veins, then grind or crush them with a pinch of salt. Finally, strain the guava leaf extract into a basin of warm water and bathe your child in it. Bathing continuously for about 3-4 days will surely significantly improve your child's irritated skin. Don't believe it? Just try it out!
3. Soil Leaves
Soil leaves are abundant in rural areas and easily accessible, but urban mothers need not worry because these leaves are now widely available in markets. Fresh soil leaves, when washed and boiled in water for your baby's daily bath, will make your baby's skin cooler and gradually eliminate diaper rash.
4. Basil Leaves
5. Mulberry Leaves
Mulberry leaves used to make bathwater will help restore your baby's smooth skin and effectively treat diaper rash. Simply take a handful of mulberry leaves, soak and wash them thoroughly, then boil until the water reaches around 37-38 degrees Celsius. Remove the leaves and bathe your baby in this water (Avoid mixing with cold water, so it's advisable to prepare a bit more water for your baby's bath).
Some Important Notes when Making Leaf Water and Bathing for Babies
- Be careful to wash each leaf under running water, soak them in saltwater for a while before cooking to remove dirt, insects, and bacteria for your baby.
- When taking bathwater, only scoop the clean part for bathing, avoiding any dirt residue.
- Purchase quality diaper powder and diaper rash cream for your baby to apply to the groin and thighs after bathing.
- After bathing with leaf water, give your baby a quick rinse with warm water to wash away any residual powder from the leaves that may cause bacterial infection.
- Avoid bathing your baby with leaf water if there are signs of inflammation, swelling, pus, or scratches on their skin. Bathing with leaf water on scratched skin can increase the risk of skin infection.
- Bathe newborns with leaf water only after their umbilical cord stump has fallen off to prevent umbilical cord infections.
Wishing all mothers a healthy and strong child!
Mothers can explore more varieties of Baby Bath Products at Mytour.
