During the first year of life, your baby does not need a bath every day. Bathing your baby more than three times a week can cause her skin to dry out, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Until the umbilical stump falls off, your doctor will probably advise you to give your baby sponge baths only. After the naval area is healed, you can begin giving tub baths.
Sponge Baths
Step 1
Place a towel on a counter, changing table, bed, floor or any other safe location in a warm area of your house.
Step 2
Gather your supplies. You will need a clean wet washcloth, a clean container of warm water, a towel, baby soap and shampoo and clean clothes for your baby. Add a little of the baby soap to the container of water to get the water slightly soapy.
Step 3
Undress your baby and put him on his back on the towel. Wrap him in the towel to keep him warm as you wash him. Only uncover the areas being washed as you wash them to keep your baby warm and comfortable.
Step 4
Wash your baby's face with the wet washcloth while the cloth is free of soap. Clean the eyelids from the inside corner to the outside, using a different section of clean washcloth for each eye, and then gently wipe the rest of your baby's face.
Step 5
Wash your baby's hair. If she does not have much hair, you might find it easier to wash the top of her head with the wet washcloth like you washed her face. For babies with hair, you can add a small amount of baby shampoo to the hair and rinse it out with a wet washcloth.
Step 6
Dip the washcloth in the soapy water, and continue to wash your baby's body from top to bottom, washing the groan and rear end last. Pay special attention to creases and folds, such as those around the neck, behind the ears, under the arms and in the diaper area, according to the Nemours Foundation.
Step 7
Pat your baby's skin dry and dress him in a clean diaper and clean clothes.
Tub Baths
Step 1
Gather a towel, a washcloth, baby soap, baby shampoo and a small cup for rinsing your baby.
Step 2
Place 2 inches of warm water in a sink, baby bathtub or another safe, clean area where you will be bathing your baby. Check the water with the inside of your wrist or your elbow to make sure it is not hot, warns the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Step 3
Undress your baby and place her in the water feet first while supporting her head with one hand and her body with the other. Keep one hand on her at all times while you wash her, and frequently pour bath water over her body to keep her warm.
Step 4
Wash your baby's eyes from the inside corner to the outside with the clean washcloth, using a different part of the cloth for each eye, and wash her face with clean, plain water.
Step 5
Work baby shampoo into your baby's hair, and rinse the suds away with cupfuls of water while shielding her eyes from the water with your cupped hand.
Step 6
Add a small amount of baby soap to the washcloth, and wash the rest of her body from top to bottom, washing the diaper area last. Rinse her body with cupfuls of water afterward.
Step 7
Lift the baby out of the tub carefully, and wrap him in a clean towel. Pat his skin dry, and dress him in a clean diaper and clean clothes.
Things You'll Need
- Towel
- Washcloth
- Baby soap and shampoo
- Container of water if sponge bathing
- Baby bathtub or sink if tub bathing
