Proper Bathing And Skin Care For Your Newborn
A newborn’s skin is soft and delicate. Proper skin care and bathing can help maintain the health and texture of the baby’s skin while providing a pleasant experience for both of you.
Contrary to popular thought, most babies don’t need a bath every single day. With all the diaper changes and wiping of the mouth and nose after feedings, most babies may only need to be bathed 2 or 3 times a week or every other day.
Baths can be given any time of day. Bathing before a feeding often works well. Many parents prefer to bathe their baby in the evening, as part of the bedtime ritual. This works well especially if bath time is relaxing and soothing for the baby.
Sponge baths are needed at first. To prevent infection, bathing in a tub of water should not be done until the baby’s umbilical cord falls off, and a baby boy’s circumcision heals.
Essential Baby Bath Supplies Include:
- Bathtub spout cover
- Hooded baby towels
One of the best baby bathtubs available currently is the Fisher-Price Rinse n Grow Tub. This versatile tub adjusts to fit your growing baby. It can be used to bathe your child from newborn to toddler stage!
If youre looking for a body wash that wont irritate your newborn, try Aveeno Baby Gentle Wash and Shampoo. This body wash is one of the best for babies. It is tear-free, soap-free, hypoallergenic, paraben-free, and phthalate-free.
Soft and gentle washcloths for your newborn can be hard to find, but these Burts Bees Baby Washcloths are absolutely amazing! They come in a pack of 6 super soft, 100% organic cotton, absorbent knit terry cloths that are both durable and delicate for babys skin.
California Baby Super Sensitive Everyday Face and Body Lotion is a great baby lotion option for newborns. It is a moisturizing lotion for dry and sensitive skin. Not only is it fragrance-free and plant-based, but it is a non-greasy, fast-absorbing formula that can be used after bathing and after diaper changes.
For those of you that choose to use the sink to bathe your infant, the Blooming Bath Lotus is the best way to give your newborn a sink bath. It is incredibly soft and turns your sink into a comfortable and safe bath time for your baby.
What Is A Sponge Bath And How Does It Compare With Other Types Of Baths
Sponge baths are a great option when your baby isnt ready for a regular tub filled with warm water and shiny bubbles.
During a sponge bath, just like during a regular bath, you give your baby an all-over wash and rinse. But there are two differences:
- Your baby lies on a towel instead of in a tub.
- You wash and rinse one section of their body at a time.
Read Also: When To Give Newborn Pacifier
What Is A Sponge Bath
After youve waited a few days or 48 hours , you can give your newborn a sponge bath. A sponge bath typically requires you to clean your newborns head, body, and diaper area.
It is highly recommended to give your newborn a sponge bath for at least two to three weeks because it is the safest way to give your baby a bath until their umbilical cords fall off and the navel is healed completely.
How To Give A Baby A Tub Bath
Follow these steps to give your newborn a bath after the umbilical cord has fallen off:
Make sure to keep one hand on your baby at all times. If you need to step away even for a second, pick them up wrapped in a towel and bring them with you. Infants can quickly drown in just a few inches of water.
Verywell / Caitlin Rogers
You May Like: Can I Refuse Vaccines For My Newborn
How To Bathe A Newborn
Bathing a newborn may seem daunting at first, but with a little preparation and the right setup, babys first bath can be a stress-free, joyful experience. Yes, baby will likely cry, but it doesnt mean youre doing something wrong.
Dont worry about it so much! advises Mary F., a mom of two. We were so concerned about how to handle our first baby. She was so tiny! So breakable! And then we watched the nurse give our daughter her first bath in the hospital. You would have thought she was washing dishes! That was the moment where we were like, Ohwere not going to break her.
Here, we lay out step by step what you need to doand what you need to knowwhen it comes to bathing a newborn.
How To Give Your Newborn A Sponge Bath
Until your newborn is ready for full-body baths, give them sponge baths:
- Fill a basin with warm water, then wrap your baby in a towel and lie them on a comfortable surface. Always keep one hand on your baby and your baby covered with a towel.
- Dip a clean washcloth in the water and clean their face, starting at the bridge of the nose and wiping over their eyes. Clean the outer folds of the ear with a corner of the washcloth .
- Use the washcloth to wipe the rest of your baby’s body from the neck down, only uncovering the parts of the body you’re cleaning. You don’t need to use soap it can be drying for sensitive newborn skin. If you do, use a mild, moisturizing soap made for babies.
For little messes like milk dribbles on your newborn’s chin or neck, you can spot-clean with a damp washcloth. Once or twice a day, wipe down your baby’s face, neck, and hands, as well as the folds of their skin as needed. And thoroughly clean their genital area with wipes after each diaper change.
Many newborns have scaly, peeling skin on their scalp a harmless condition known as cradle cap. It won’t bother your baby, and it’s perfectly fine to leave it alone until it goes away on its own. But if it really bothers you, you can try to remove the scales by washing your baby’s hair with baby shampoo and gently passing a soft-bristled brush over your baby’s scalp.
Read Also: How Much Is A Box Of Newborn Diapers
Some Tips For Giving Your Newborn A Sponge Bath Are:
- Make sure to grab everything you need before you begin washing your baby. Grab necessities like a container or basin of water, a washcloth, a dry towel, and anything else that you choose to use.
- Place your newborn on a flat surface that is comfortable for both you and the baby. You can use changing tables, beds, or clean floors and counters. If you are using a high surface, make sure that you secure your newborn with a safety strap or hold them with one hand at all times.
- Wash the face first. Dampen the washcloth and wash your babys body in the following order: face, body, then diaper area.
- Be sure to keep your newborn warm. While sponging your baby clean, keep them wrapped in a dry towel with the parts that you are not actively cleaning remaining covered. Some areas to pay special attention to are the creases under the arms, behind the ears, under the neck, and the genital area, especially with girls.
This video by IntermountainMoms is a great resource for any parent that wants to see how to properly and effectively bathe their newborn. It explains why frequent bathing is not needed and gives advice on how to clean your baby. Additionally, it gives a step-by-step audible and visual explanation of how to sponge bathe your newborn before their umbilical cord falls off.
When Will Your Baby Be Ready For His First Tub Bath
After your babyâs umbilical cord stump falls off, you can transition from sponge baths to actual baths in a sink or a baby bathtub.
His first bath in a tub should be gentle and quick however, you might need to go back to sponge baths if your baby fusses a lot and simply doesnât like this new activity.
Don’t Miss: Why Does My Newborn Keep Spitting Up
How To Dry A Newborn After A Bath
Heres how to wrap up your babys bath, including a bit about rinsing, drying and using lotion:
- Rinse well. Use clean, warm water for that final rinse cycle, holding your little one football-style, with the back of his head cradled in one hand, his body draped along your arm, and his head over the basin. Fill the cup with water and gently pour it over your baby’s head and then the body parts.
- Dry her gently. Next up, pat your baby’s skin with a soft dry towel. Be sure to thoroughly dry her bottom and any other areas where there are folds of skin. Chubby babies have lots of those!
- Go easy on the baby lotion. That beautiful and ultra-sensitive skin doesn’t need much, if any, in the way of lotions, oils or creams, though a little baby-safe lotion is okay. But avoid baby powders, which can irritate an infant’s breathing passages. If your practitioner recommends it , massage a hypoallergenic lotion into her skin after warming it in your palms.
- Diaper and dress. Slip on a fresh diaper and dress your baby in some clean clothes. If she needs a little soothing after the sponge bath, swaddle her up in a blanket, then get settled in for a snuggle with your clean, sweet-smelling baby.
For A Bathtime Everyone Loves Trust Honest
At Honest®, we believe in providing you with the best quality products for bathtime with your baby. Whether youre bathing a newborn and need soothing baby shampoo or are giving a bubble bath to an older baby, we have everything you needand nothing you dont.
All our baby bathtime products are non-toxic, safe, and effective while free of iffy ingredients and yucky additives.
Try our Baby Arrival Gift Set for a little bit of all our baby bathtime goodness.
Umbilical Cord Care. . Mayo Clinic Healthy Lifestyle.
We aim to provide you with the most honest and credible information possible. This article was reviewed for accuracy by The Honest Team and was written based on trusted sources that are linked at the bottom of the article.
Also Check: What’s The Best Way For A Newborn To Sleep
Bathing The Head Chest And Legs
Getting Ready For A Baby Tub Bath
Select a plastic baby tub that meets current safety standards.
- It should have a sloped design and textured surfaces, designed to keep baby from slipping.
- An included sling or cushion, that can keep baby from sliding, may also help.
Keep the bathroom at a comfortable 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so baby won’t lose body heat too quickly.
- You can also have a warm washcloth ready to help keep baby’s exposed tummy warm while in the bath.
Before placing baby in the tub, fill the baby tub with about 2 inches of warm water. This should be just enough to cover the bottom of their body.
- Never fill the tub with baby inside!
The water should be comfortably warm — not hot, so it doesn’t burn baby
- Make sure the water isn’t too hot by testing it with your elbow or the inside of your wrist.
Gather all your supplies, and set them up within arm’s reach.
- You’ll need the same supplies you used for the sponge bath, minus the blanket and extra towel.
- Grab a cup to rinse off baby, instead of the bowl.
Also Check: What To Give A Newborn For Colic
Wash Their Scalp And Hair
To shampoo your baby’s scalp and hair, support your baby’s spine and hold their head back slightly. Sprinkle their head with warm water and squeeze on a drop of soap. Lather, scrubbing gently, and rinse with a wet washcloth. Finish by drying your little one’s head with a towel.
Some parents feel nervous about washing, brushing, or touching a baby’s soft spotthat small gap between the skull’s bones that haven’t closed. Rest assured, you won’t hurt your child by washing their soft spot.
Pat Them Dry And Cover Quickly
It would be really convenient if you have enough space right next to the babys bathtub, so you can immediately place your baby on it. But if not here are some tips on how to cover them:
Hold them against you with one arm supporting them and a hand holding on to their head and neck and with your other free hand, get the towel and cover them up.
So basically, youre holding them with one hand while your other free hand is getting the towel. You have to lean back a little and make sure that your hand and arm are supporting your baby.
Another option is to make some space right beside or right outside where you bathe them. Something that would be easy to move from one room to another.
You can use a pack n play, a baby lounger or podster, or anything that you can comfortably and safely towel dry and cover your baby.
Also Check: How To Add Newborn To Health Insurance
Baby Bath: Time For A Sponge Bath
Gentle sponge baths are perfect for the first few weeks until the umbilical cord falls off, the circumcision heals, and the navel heals completely.
The basics of bathing a baby:
- First, undress baby — cradling the head with one hand. Leave the diaper on . Wrap baby in a towel, exposing only those areas that you are washing.
- Using a baby bath sponge or wash cloth, cleanse one area at a time. Start behind the ears, then move to the neck, elbows, knees, between fingers and toes. Pay attention to creases under the arms, behind the ears, around the neck.
- The hair comes toward the end of bath time so baby doesn’t get cold. While newborns don’t have much hair, you can sponge the few wisps that are there. To avoid getting eyes wet, tip the head back just a little. There’s no need for shampoo just use water.
- Now it’s time to remove the diaper and sponge baby’s belly, bottom, and genitals.
- Wash little girls from front to back. If there’s a little vaginal discharge, don’t worry — and don’t try to wipe it all away. If a little boy is uncircumcised, leave the foreskin alone. If circumcised, don’t wash the head of the until it’s healed.
- Gently pat baby dry. Rubbing the skin will irritate it.
Bath time is over, and your fresh little baby is ready for a clean diaper and clothes!
When Should Newborns Get Their First Bath
It used to be the thing that newborns were whisked away almost as soon as they landed in the arms of the midwife and the cord was cut. Not anymore.
Well, at least thats no longer the recommendation, so, if your baby is yet to arrive, its worth checking what the hospital policy is on this and letting the midwife and doctors know what you want to happen.
According to the World Health Organization a newborn should not be bathed until at least 24 hours after birth. And theres no harm in waiting longer.
Recommended Reading: How To Be A Good Father To A Newborn