Bathing your newborn

Most first time parents are terrified of bathing their newborn babies. It is a little scary to handle a soapy and slippery baby. However, bath-time is a wonderful way to bond with your baby. Some babies enjoy being in warm water right from the start, others need a little time to get used to these new sensations on their skin. Whatever's right for you and your baby, this article has plenty of tips for keeping your newborn clean and contented.

What's the best way to keep my newborn clean for the first few days?

Many mums prefer bathing and massaging their babies daily right from birth, especially if they are observing traditional confinement practices. On the other hand, many choose not to give daily baths. Since your newborn can't move around she won't get that dirty. And this would give you some time to recover from the birth and get used to handling your baby. For the first week or so, you may find it easier to stick to sponge baths. Also known as "topping and tailing" this usually means washing your baby from head to toe with a warm, damp sponge or washcloth and pieces of moistened cotton wool. Read more about how to give your baby sponge bath. Provided you wash off any obvious muck, your baby will stay clean enough. However, in summer when the temperature and humidity levels are high, daily baths may become a necessity to keep your baby cool and clean.

When can my newborn baby have her first bath?

You can give your baby her first bath as soon as you like (most hospitals and maternity clinics start bathing a newborn from the second day). You don't need to wait for the umbilical cord stump to dry up and fall off, or for the area to heal. A bath won't make an infection in the stump more likely or slow down healing. However, make sure you dry the stump thoroughly after the bath. When you do bathe your baby you may find it a little daunting the first few times. Try to stay calm and keep a firm hold of your baby when moving her in and out of the bath. You may like to have someone with you the first few times to support you and to fetch any items you may have forgotten.

What time of the day is best for bathing my newborn?

Choose a time of day when you're not expecting any interruptions and have time to devote to your baby. It's best if your baby is awake and contented before you start, and in between feeds so she's neither hungry nor full. Although it is more common to bathe a baby in the morning, when you bathe your newborn can also depend a lot on the weather. In winter you may bathe your baby during the warmest part of the day. And in summer or monsoon you may bathe her when the heat is at its peak so that she remains cool. You may find that you bath her most often during the day. After a couple of months, like some parents, you could start to make a bath part of her bedtime routine.

How do I give my newborn baby a bath?

Here's how to bath your newborn:

1. Wash your hands. Gather all the bath supplies you need. These may include a sponge or washcloth, a cleanser, at least one clean towel, and a clean nappy and clothes.

2. Fill the bath with warm water. The level of water should be no higher than your baby's navel (belly button) when she is placed in the bath.

3. Make sure the room is warm and the bath water is comfortably warm but not hot. Use your elbow to test the bath water. Do not use cold water to bathe your baby, even in summer. Instead opt for lukewarm water.

4. Bring your baby to the bath area and undress her down to her nappy. Wrap her in a towel, keeping her head exposed so you can wash her face and hair before you put her in the bath. This way, you can give her a quick dip in the bath if she isn't enjoying it or a bit longer if she loves it.

5. Wash your baby's eyes, ears, face and neck as you would for when you're giving her a sponge bath.

6. Hold your baby so that her head is over the bath water and wet her scalp. You could use your hands to gently clean her head with a little baby shampoo or use a soapy wash cloth. Plain water works just as well. Rinse her hair carefully and dry it.

7. Be extra gentle with the soft spots (fontanelles) on her head. Some mums use a soft-tipped brush or comb to gently stimulate the hair follicles and prevent cradle cap.

8. Now take off your baby's nappy. If there's poop in the nappy, clean your baby's genitals and bottom before putting her in the bath.

9. Gradually slip your baby into the bath feet first, using one hand to support her neck and head. However, if you or a family member prefers bathing your baby the traditional way, by putting her on one's outstretched legs while sitting down, make sure that your baby's head is placed comfortably and she is held firmly.

It's a good to place your baby in such a way that her feet are towards your feet and head towards your body. This way, water won't get into her nose or mouth. You could also place a stool under your feet to keep your legs at the same level and not slanted.

10. Wash your baby with a little mild, unperfumed soap or pH neutral liquid baby cleanser. Or you could add some bath emollient or massage oil to the water, if her skin is dry.

11. If you prefer to bathe your baby in just water it's still best to wash her nappy area with a cleanser or mild, moisturising soap. Baby poop has a higher percentage of fats than adult poop. You may need to use a mild cleanser or soap to remove the fatty deposits from your baby's skin.

12. Use your hand, a washcloth or a sponge to clean your baby from top to bottom, front and back. Start from the cleanest areas and work your way to the dirtiest. Don't forget to clean the folds in the skin such as the neck, inner thigh, armpits and the area between the fingers and toes where dirt tends to collect.

13. Rinse your baby thoroughly, then lift her out of the bath. Lift her with one hand supporting her neck and head and your other hand under her bottom, with your thumb and forefinger around one thigh.

14. Wrap your baby in a hooded towel, pat her dry immediately then put her nappy on. Wrap her in a dry towel or blanket again, and give her a cosy cuddle for 10 minutes or so to keep her warm.

15. If your baby's skin tends to be dry, you may want to smooth on or massage a mild baby moisturiser, oil or emollient. If you're using talcum powder on your baby's body, see that she doesn't breathe it in. Use it sparingly and rub it in well.

16. Finally, dress your baby in clean clothes, wrap her in a dry, warm blanket, and give her a kiss on her sweet-smelling head. Follow it up with a feed.

Never leave your baby alone in the bath, not even for a few seconds.