How to Bathe Baby

A tub bath is off-limits for the first two weeks or so, until baby's umbilical-cord stump has fallen off and healed. To sponge bathe baby, choose a warm, draft-free room, since newborns get cold easily.

To start, place baby on a waterproof pad, changing mat, or towel. To help him stay warm, keep his undershirt on or cover him loosely with a towel. Another strategy is to undress each part of his body as you're ready to wash it. To prevent accidents, don't take the diaper off until it's time to wash his bottom.

Assemble what you'll need before you begin:

• Sterile cotton balls
• 3 washcloths (one for soaping, one for washing with just water, one for rinsing)
• 2 soft towels
• Changing pad
• Baby soap or cleansing lotion
• Baby shampoo
• Rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, and cotton swabs (for the umbilical-cord stump)
• Bowl of warm water
• Clean diaper and clothing

Gently wipe baby's face and neck folds, nose, and outer ears with a washcloth or cotton ball moistened with warm water. Never clean inside baby's ears (even if you spy some wax), because you could damage his eardrum. Wipe baby's face dry, paying special attention to his neck creases, where moisture can cause irritation.

Carefully wipe baby's eyes from the inner corner outward with two clean, moistened cotton balls. Use a fresh cotton ball for each eye to prevent the spread of infection.

Wash baby's arms and hands. Be sure to rinse his hands of soap since they're one of baby's favorite sucking toys. Gently wash his torso and clean the umbilical stump.

Wash baby's hair by holding his head as he's lying back on the towel or by sitting him up, supporting his back, and reclining his head slightly. With your free hand, rub lightly to lather, and then rinse with a wet washcloth; gently towel-dry. Baby's hair just needs a drop of shampoo once or twice a week. Don't shy away from washing baby's soft spots (fontanels) -- they're tougher than you think.

If you have a girl, wash her genital area from front to back. Don't use soap there -- it can cause irritation or infection. Wash her buttocks with soap, and also make sure to clean in the creases of her thighs. If your baby boy is circumcised, don't wash his penis with soap until the wound heals. If he's uncircumcised, use soap, but don't attempt to pull back the foreskin -- it will remain attached for several more years. Dry baby well.

Until the umbilical stump heals, keep the area dry by exposing it to air (turn the front of baby's diaper down, or use diapers that have a special cutout). To prevent infection, clean the stump well with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, using a cotton swab. If the area around the navel turns red, swollen, or oozes, call your pediatrician.

Your infant is ready for the baby tub once the umbilical stump (and circumcision) has healed. For now you'll only need to bathe him every two to three days. In between, daily cleaning of the face, neck, hands, and diaper area is sufficient. As your baby starts crawling around the house, he'll need washing more often.

Keep bath time short and sweet. Choose a surface that is near a sink and doesn't require you to lean over, such as the kitchen counter. (Most baby tubs are designed to fit in the sink, but be sure you clean the sink well first.) Avoid bathing him right after his meal -- your little one is more likely to spit up

1. Gather all of your supplies before you undress baby. Never leave him unattended in the bath, even for a moment. If you have to leave, wrap him in a towel and take him along.

2. Fill the baby tub with a couple of inches of lukewarm water. Test the temperature by dipping your elbow in the water: It should be warm but not hot. Never run the water with baby in the tub, because he could be scalded or scared by a sudden temperature change in the water.

3. Ease baby into the bath feet first, using a safety hold: Support his head and shoulder with one hand, his bottom and legs with the other.

4. While he's in the tub, support baby's head with one arm (unless the tub has a built-in support) while washing him with your free hand. Work from the cleanest (head) to dirtiest (bottom) area.

5. Lift baby out of the tub using the safety hold: Raise his head and shoulders with one hand and slide your free hand under his bottom, as before. Wrap him immediately in a hooded towel so he doesn't get cold. Dry him, paying close attention to the folds of his neck, his legs, and under his arms.

Once baby is sitting up (at about 6 months), you can start washing him in the regular tub. Put his baby tub in the big tub the first few times so the change is not so scary. After he seems comfortable, place him in a bath seat or bath ring (which attaches securely to the bottom of the tub) to keep him from slipping. Remember, even if baby is able to sit up in the tub at six months and sit in a safety ring, he must NEVER be left unattended -- not even for a moment.

Until baby's old enough to close his eyes or hold his head back, use a face visor when shampooing his hair to prevent shampoo from getting into his eyes. When you're done, take baby out before emptying the tub so he doesn't get cold and scared.

Reviewed 11/00 by Jane Forester, MD

All content here, including advice from doctors and other health professionals, should be considered as opinion only. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.