Bathing Your Baby
By: Dr. McCabe
Your baby doesn't need frequent bathing if you wash the diaper area thoroughly during diaper changes. Two to three times a week during the first year is often enough. Bathing her more frequently may dry out her skin. Until the umbilical cord falls off and completely dries, your newborn should only have sponge baths. In a warm room, lay the baby on a flat surface (the counter next to the sink works well). Pad the surface with a blanket or a towel. Be sure to keep one hand on her at all times to make sure she doesn't fall. Have a basin of water, a washcloth, and a supply of mild baby soap (such as Aquaphor) within reach before you begin. Keep your baby wrapped in a towel, and expose only the parts of her body you are actively washing. Use the dampened cloth first without soap to wash her face, so you don’t get soap into her eyes or mouth. Then dip it in the basin of soapy water before washing the remainder of her body and, finally, the diaper area. Pay special attention to creases under the arms, behind the ears, around the neck, and in the genital area. Also be sure to unfist her hands and wash her palms. Patting her dry and applying a fragrance free moisturizing lotion (such as Cetaphil, Eucerin, or Cerave) immediately after bathing can help prevent dry skin.
Once the umbilical area is healed, you can try placing your baby directly in the water. Her first baths should be as soothing and brief as possible. She may not like it; if she seems miserable, go back to sponge baths for a week or two, then try the bath again. Most parents find it easiest to bathe a newborn in a clean sink or plastic tub. Fill the basin with a few inches of warm water. If you’re filling the basin from the tap, turn the cold water on first (and off last) to avoid scalding yourself or your child. Make sure that supplies are at hand and the room is warm before undressing the baby. You’ll need the same supplies that you used for sponge bathing and a cup for rinsing with clear water (a soap such as Aquaphor can be used for hair and body).
Undress your baby, then place her in the water immediately so she doesn’t get chilled. Use one of your hands to support her head and the other to guide her in, feet first. Speak to her encouragingly, and gently lower the rest of her body until she’s in the tub. Most of her body and face should be above the water level. If your baby enjoys her bath, give her some extra time to splash and explore the water. Bathing should be a soothing experience, so don’t rush unless she’s unhappy. Use a soft cloth to wash her face and hair, shampooing once or twice a week. When you rinse the soap or shampoo from her head, cup your hand across her forehead so the suds run toward the sides, not into her eyes.Wash the rest of her body from the top down. When your infant comes out of the bath, baby towels with built-in hoods are great to keep her head warm when she’s wet. Again, patting her dry and applying a fragrance free moisturizing lotion (such as Cetaphil, Eucerin, or Cerave) immediately after bathing can help prevent dry skin.
By: Dr. McCabe
Your baby doesn't need frequent bathing if you wash the diaper area thoroughly during diaper changes. Two to three times a week during the first year is often enough. Bathing her more frequently may dry out her skin. Until the umbilical cord falls off and completely dries, your newborn should only have sponge baths. In a warm room, lay the baby on a flat surface (the counter next to the sink works well). Pad the surface with a blanket or a towel. Be sure to keep one hand on her at all times to make sure she doesn't fall. Have a basin of water, a washcloth, and a supply of mild baby soap (such as Aquaphor) within reach before you begin. Keep your baby wrapped in a towel, and expose only the parts of her body you are actively washing. Use the dampened cloth first without soap to wash her face, so you don’t get soap into her eyes or mouth. Then dip it in the basin of soapy water before washing the remainder of her body and, finally, the diaper area. Pay special attention to creases under the arms, behind the ears, around the neck, and in the genital area. Also be sure to unfist her hands and wash her palms. Patting her dry and applying a fragrance free moisturizing lotion (such as Cetaphil, Eucerin, or Cerave) immediately after bathing can help prevent dry skin.
Once the umbilical area is healed, you can try placing your baby directly in the water. Her first baths should be as soothing and brief as possible. She may not like it; if she seems miserable, go back to sponge baths for a week or two, then try the bath again. Most parents find it easiest to bathe a newborn in a clean sink or plastic tub. Fill the basin with a few inches of warm water. If you’re filling the basin from the tap, turn the cold water on first (and off last) to avoid scalding yourself or your child. Make sure that supplies are at hand and the room is warm before undressing the baby. You’ll need the same supplies that you used for sponge bathing and a cup for rinsing with clear water (a soap such as Aquaphor can be used for hair and body).
Undress your baby, then place her in the water immediately so she doesn’t get chilled. Use one of your hands to support her head and the other to guide her in, feet first. Speak to her encouragingly, and gently lower the rest of her body until she’s in the tub. Most of her body and face should be above the water level. If your baby enjoys her bath, give her some extra time to splash and explore the water. Bathing should be a soothing experience, so don’t rush unless she’s unhappy. Use a soft cloth to wash her face and hair, shampooing once or twice a week. When you rinse the soap or shampoo from her head, cup your hand across her forehead so the suds run toward the sides, not into her eyes.Wash the rest of her body from the top down. When your infant comes out of the bath, baby towels with built-in hoods are great to keep her head warm when she’s wet. Again, patting her dry and applying a fragrance free moisturizing lotion (such as Cetaphil, Eucerin, or Cerave) immediately after bathing can help prevent dry skin.