A new baby is entirely dependent on his parents for care, and this includes cleanliness. Bathing a baby can be a pleasant bonding experience between parents and infant as long as the safety and comfort of the baby are taken into account.
Location
Babies can be safely bathed in a number of places. Many companies make tubs specifically designed to bathe a baby. There are also small inserts or inflatable tubs that fit inside an adult tub to be used as a baby tub. Some parents choose to bathe their baby in the sink, which is fine as long as the sink is lined with something like a rubber mat or towel to prevent the baby from slipping. A normal adult tub or an unlined sink are generally too slippery to bathe a baby in safely.
Attention
Paying close attention to your baby is the most important part of baby bath safety. The caregiver should always keep one hand on the baby at all times and never leave the baby alone in the tub. If something else needs attention, the baby should be removed from the tub and taken with the parent instead of left in the bath.
Water
The water temperature of a baby bath should be warm, not hot, to avoid scalding the infant while at the same time keeping her from becoming too cold. The water should be about 90 degrees and there should only be 2 to 3 inches of water in the tub. Too much water in the tub can be unsafe, since the baby might slip under the surface. The tub should never be full enough to cover the baby's head and you should not put a baby into the tub before the water has finished running. Always run the water, test the temperature and then put the baby into the tub.
Support
To safely bathe a baby, parents should maintain a secure hold on the child and support his head. It is a good idea to hold the baby under the armpit to prevent him from slipping out of your grasp. The under-the-armpit hold can also be used for bathing the baby's back by leaning the baby forward onto your arm instead of keeping the arm around his back.
Considerations for Newborns
Newborns who still have their umbilical cord stump need special care when being bathed. They can often get by with a sponge or washcloth being wiped over their bodies, instead of immersion in a tub. The umbilical cord should never be immersed in water, so if you choose to tub-bathe a newborn, keep a firm hold on the baby to prevent accidentally getting the cord stump wet.
