Bathing Baby: The Basics

Sponge baths:  Sponge baths are necessary until your baby is a week or two old.  The umbilical cord first needs to fall off and if your baby was circumcised, the area needs to heal before a regular bath is allowed.

*Remember:  Many babies will be terrified of water at first.  Be prepared for crying and try to make the bathing as brief and comfortable for baby as possible. Babies do not get as dirty as older children or adults.  Much of the cleaning is to prepare your infant for a bath time routine. 

The routine:

Sponge bathing basically means that baby is not submersed in water but rather spot cleaned with a washcloth in order to keep the umbilical cord area and penis area dry until healed.  A sponge bath can be done on a leak-proof pad on a bed or in a crib, although we recommend sponge bathing next to a water source such as a sink or tub. Lay baby on a towel or in a baby bath or bath sponge (all work well).  Make sure the room is as warm as possible and free of drafts.  Undress your baby piece by piece, especially if the temperature in the room is below 75 degrees.  Start by washing babies head with water and a little tear-free shampoo.  Rinse and dry.  Then use cotton balls or washcloth to gently wipe eyes from the inside to outside corners.  Wash babies face with water only.  Rinse body with or without soap.  Move baby over to wash the back side while supporting head and neck with your hands.  Use soap on hands and genital area.  Always rinse the genital area last to prevent the spread of germs to other parts of the body.  Make sure the body parts that are not being washed are covered with a dry towel.  This will help baby to feel more secure and less cold-both of which contribute to crying.

* Never leave baby unattended!  Babies are slippery-especially when wet.  Always have at least one hand on baby at all times during the bath. Do not leave area for ANY reason...this could cause a serious accident or even death.

Supplies:

Having supplies ready ahead of time will make bath time more enjoyable for both you and your baby. 

2 washcloths ( one for washing baby and one for rinsing)

baby bath or baby soap

shampoo

towels (to lay on, cover baby with and dry baby off)

clean outfit

diaper 

  No powder or lotion is needed unless specifically advised by your doctor (ask if you are unsure).  Powder can get into a babies lungs so be careful if it is used.

Regular Baths:

Using a baby bath tub with a head support works well for baby.  A baby sponge (found at baby stores) also works nicely. If the opening is large enough, your baby tub or sponge can be placed in the sink.  Otherwise, laying the baby tub or sponge on a large counter top also works well.  Some parents prefer to use the big tub, although leaning over the tub can be somewhat awkward as baby is very slippery.  If possible, it may be a good idea to bathe baby in the tub with you and then hand baby (carefully!) to your partner when finished bathing. Follow the same routine as for sponge bathing and use the same supplies.  The only exception is that you will not need to cover baby up in a towel until the bath is over.

Remember: You will be surprised how slippery baby is when wet and soapy and how little control baby has over her body.  Putting a sponge or folded towel on the bath tub or sink floor is a good idea to keep baby from slipping on the slick surface if you do not use a baby bath tub.  Using wash cloths to hand baby to your partner can also help keep baby safe.

How often baby needs a bath:

Whatever method you use to bathe your baby will become a more comfortable routine for both of you over time.  Your baby will only need baths every 2 or 3 days, but baby can be bathed daily if she seems to enjoy it.  Hair needs to be washed only a few times a week, although baby's hands and genital area (which tend to get more dirty) need to be washed several times a day.

Final thoughts:

Don't worry about cleaning your baby  perfectly, just do the best you can and pay special attention to the hands and genital areas.  As you become more comfortable with bath time, chances are your baby will too.  Reviewing these bathing baby basics will help everyone feel more relaxed and may help set the tone for a pleasurable bath time routine.