It's best not to bathe your baby straight after a feed or when they're hungry or tired. Make sure the room you're bathing them in is warm. Have everything you need at hand: a baby bath or clean washing-up bowl filled with warm water, 2 towels, a clean nappy, clean clothes and cotton wool.
Choose a time when you're not rushed or likely to be interrupted. Some parents opt for morning baths, when their babies are alert. Others prefer to make baby baths part of a calming bedtime ritual. If you bathe your baby after a feeding, consider waiting for your baby's tummy to settle a bit first.
Most of your baby's body should be well above the water, so occasionally pour warm water over your baby's body for warmth. Start with your baby's head. Use the washcloth to gently wash your baby's face and scalp. Use baby shampoo once or twice a week to clean your baby's hair.
It's not necessary to bath your baby every day — around 2-3 times per week will be enough. Though you may find your baby relaxes when they're bathed and you like to include bathing as part of their pre-settling routine. You may need to bath your baby more often once they're eating solid food.
Bathing your baby safely
You don't need to bathe your baby every day, but if they really enjoy it, there's no reason why you shouldn't. It's best not to bathe your baby straight after a feed or when they're hungry or tired. Make sure the room you're bathing them in is warm.
If you bathe your baby three to four hours after she eats, she may be getting so hungry (and cranky) that she has no patience for the bath. On the other hand, if you bathe her right after she eats, the jostling may make her spit up. Aim for a bathtime between an hour and two hours after a meal.
But for most families, bathing the baby two to three times a week is plenty after the first couple of weeks of life. In fact, we recommend delaying your newborn's first full bath for at least two weeks. Newborns shed about three layers of skin within their first week, which often surprises new parents.
According to pediatrician Jennifer Shu, diaper wipes are just fine for newborns. The only exception is if baby develops redness or a rash (other than diaper rash), which is indicative of sensative skin. In that case, use cotton balls or squares (they'll probably give you some at the hospital) dipped in warm water.
Many baby wipes are perfectly fine for newborn skin but if you want to be sure you're buying ones that are absolutely the least likely to irritate or dehydrate newborn skin, look for packs that are labelled 'sensitive', 'fragrance-free' and/or 'alcohol free'.
Common bacterial infections for newborns include Group B Strep and E. Coli which can lead to pneumonia and meningitis. By delaying the first bath, you are allowing the vernix to continue working as a safety net for your little one's immune system.
It's best to sponge-bathe your infant until the umbilical cord falls off and is completely healed. After that, you can place your baby in the water, making sure to support the head and neck at all times. Your baby doesn't need a bath every day. Most babies do well with 2 or 3 baths per week.
Many newborns have at least 1 or 2 bowel movements a day. By the end of the first week, your baby may have as many as 5 to 10 a day. Your baby may pass a stool after each feeding. The number of bowel movements may go down as your baby eats more and matures during that first month.
If you'd prefer to top and tail your newborn, you can do this every day or every few days or as needed. Every baby is different – you will soon find out what works best for you and your little one.
In the case of soiling in skin folds or irritation, a soft cloth or sponge can be used for careful cleaning with water, if necessary with the addition of a skin cleanser suitable for sensitive skin. If there are strong impurities, adhering components, these can also be dissolved with a baby oil and wiped off.
Most babies can start tummy time sessions a day or two after they are born. Babies benefit from having two or three short (3- to 5-minute) tummy time sessions each day. As your baby gets older, you can have longer, more regular sessions throughout the day.
Let your little one soak and play in their breast milk bath – be sure to have some bath toys on hand to make it fun! – for at least 10 – 20 minutes. There's no need to rinse him or her with regular bathwater before taking them out and drying them off. This can also be a gorgeous opportunity for a unique photo op!
Always burp your baby when feeding time is over. To help prevent the milk from coming back up, keep your baby upright after feeding for 10 to 15 minutes, or longer if your baby spits up or has GERD. But don't worry if your baby spits sometimes. It's probably more unpleasant for you than it is for your baby.
The American Academy of Pediatrics stated that tub bathing performed before the separation of umbilical cord may leave the umbilical cord wet and predispose infection by delaying its separation; thus, it is required to make sponge bathing until the umbilical cord falls off (14).
Clean around the umbilical cord every day until it drops off and the belly button is healed. Don't worry, this doesn't hurt your baby. The umbilical cord is white at birth, but darkens as it dries.
Upright positioning is necessary for burping your baby after eating, and sometimes they like sleeping upright against your chest while you stand or sit. Instead of laying your baby down flat after feeding, keep them upright for about 30 minutes so gravity can help them digest their food.