How to Bathe Your Newborn Safely

The first few baths can feel nerve-racking. Newborns are slippery, they may cry when undressed, and it is hard to know how often to bathe them or what to use. The good news is that newborns need very little: warm water, a soft cloth, a mild cleanser and your full attention. Here is how to do it safely, from the first sponge baths through the move to a baby tub.

Before the cord falls off: sponge baths

Until the umbilical cord stump falls off and the belly button heals, give your baby sponge baths instead of putting them in water. The stump usually falls off within one to two weeks. If it is still attached after that, mention it to your pediatrician.

For a sponge bath:

1. Pick a warm room and a flat, safe surface, such as a changing table, a counter with a thick towel, or the floor. Keep one hand on your baby at all times.
2. Gather everything first: a basin of warm water, two soft washcloths, mild fragrance-free cleanser, a towel, a clean diaper and clothes.
3. Keep your baby wrapped in a towel and uncover only the part you are washing, to keep them warm.
4. Start with the face using a damp cloth and plain water. Wipe each eye from the inner corner outward with a clean part of the cloth.
5. Wash the neck folds, behind the ears, arms, hands, and between the fingers and toes, where milk and lint hide.
6. Clean the diaper area last, front to back for girls.
7. Pat each area dry as you go.

Moving to tub baths

Once the cord stump is gone and the area is dry, you can bathe your baby in a small baby tub, a clean sink, or a regular tub with an infant insert. If your son was circumcised, ask your pediatrician when tub baths are fine.

• Use only a few inches of water. About 2 inches is plenty for a young baby.
• Check the temperature. Test the water with the inside of your wrist or elbow. It should feel warm, not hot. Mix the water well so there are no hot spots.
• Set your water heater no higher than 120°F. This helps prevent scalds from the faucet, which can happen in seconds.
• Do not bathe your baby under running water or use a faucet sprayer. The temperature can change suddenly.
• Support the head and neck. Slide your baby in feet first, with one arm under the shoulders and your hand holding the far armpit.
• Keep them warm. Pour warm water over the belly and chest with a cup during the bath.

Wash from cleanest to dirtiest: face first, then hair, body and diaper area last. Lift your baby out with a firm grip, wrap them in a hooded towel, and pat dry, paying attention to skin folds.

Never leave your baby alone

A baby can drown in a very small amount of water, in seconds and silently. Keep one hand on your baby for the entire bath.

• If the doorbell or phone rings, wrap your baby in a towel and take them with you, or let it go.
• Do not leave a baby in the care of an older sibling during a bath.
• Bath seats and rings are not safety devices. Babies can tip over or slip out of them.
• Empty the tub right after the bath.

How often to bathe

Newborns do not get very dirty, and daily baths can dry out their skin. For most babies, about three baths a week in the first year is enough, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Between baths, keep the face, neck folds, hands and diaper area clean. On hot San Antonio days, a quick lukewarm rinse can help a sweaty baby feel comfortable and ease heat rash. The AAP has more tips in its article on bathing your baby.

Choosing products

• Keep it simple. Plain water is often enough. When you use soap, choose a small amount of mild, fragrance-free baby cleanser and rinse well.
• Shampoo. A mild, tear-free baby shampoo once or twice a week is plenty. Gently rub the scalp, including over the soft spot. This also helps prevent the flaky scalp called cradle cap.
• Skip extras. Bubble baths, scented soaps, powders and perfumed lotions can irritate skin. Talc powder can be breathed in, so avoid it.
• Moisturizer. If your baby's skin seems dry, a fragrance-free cream or ointment after the bath can help. Ask your pediatrician if dryness does not improve.
• No cotton swabs in the ears or nose. Clean only the outer ear with a washcloth.

Cord care in brief

Keep the stump clean and dry. Fold the top of the diaper down below it so it can air out. You do not need to clean it with alcohol unless your pediatrician tells you to. If it gets dirty, wipe it with plain water and let it dry. A little crusting or a drop of dried blood when it falls off is normal. Do not pull it off, even if it is hanging on by a thread.

Make bath time calm

Many babies cry during their first baths. Keep the room warm, have everything ready, talk or sing to your baby, and keep baths short, about five to ten minutes. Some parents find an evening bath becomes a pleasant part of the bedtime routine as their baby grows.

When to call us

Call your A thru Z Pediatrics office if:

• The skin around the cord stump is red, swollen or warm, or there is pus, a bad smell or bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure.
• The cord stump has not fallen off after about two weeks.
• Your baby has a rash that does not improve, very dry or cracked skin, or blisters.
• Your baby is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 100.4°F or higher. Call right away.

Call 911 if your baby has been under water, has trouble breathing, turns blue, or is limp, or if your baby has a serious burn. For questions about skin or cord care, request a visit. More bath safety information is on MedlinePlus.