Before you bathe your newborn it's important to gather all the equipment beforehand! The key to a successful bath time for a newborn is being organized. Relax and enjoy this experience. You could put on some soft soothing music or even sing some soft lullabies to your newborn.

For bathing you will need:

• A small bath designed for a newborn or a  bowl of warm water (for a sponge bath)
• Hypoallergenic soap or a soap designed for a newborn
• Two cotton balls
• Small wash cloth
• Clean clothes
• Clean diaper
• Bath towel (lay out on a flat surface)
• Changing mat if needed
• A warm room (the best temperature is 70 degrees F or 21 degrees C)
• Make sure you choose a time of day when your newborn is relatively happy and settled
• If your newborn still has her umbilical cord it's easier to give her a sponge bath if you like

How to bathe a newborn:

You've gathered all the equipment and now you're ready to give your little one a bath. Don't be too nervous as you will soon become an expert at this!
1. For a newborn with an umbilical cord still attached it's best to give her a sponge bath

• Undress your newborn and gently wrap in a towel
• Dip a cotton ball in the water and wipe your baby's eye from the inside  to the outside. Using the other cotton ball repeat on the other eye
• Using the wash cloth give your baby's face a gentle clean and don't forget to get behind the ears
• Check the bath temperature again. Tuck your newborns legs under your arm while supporting her head and neck. Move her head so it is directly over the water. Gently wet her head and if you like you can apply a little baby shampoo and carefully wash all over her head - being particularly gentle over the center of her head where the fontanelle is located (also known as a soft spot). Now you can rinse off the shampoo. You can sit or lay  your baby on your lap while you gently use the towel to dry her head
• To do the rest of her body you can lay her down on a changing mat or towel and set the bowl of water near you. Wash your baby's arms, legs, tummy, neck, and back. Clean the genitals and bottom last. You will figure out the best way that works for you and your baby
• Once she is clean and dry you can put on a clean diaper and her clean clothes. Well done you now have a lovely clean newborn

2. For a newborn that no longer has an umbilical cord attached

• After cleaning her eyes and face as described above. You can take the towel off and place your baby in the bath. Remember to check the temperature of the bath water before you place your newborn in it. It will need to be warm - do not put a baby in a hot bath. Always support your newborn baby's head and neck. It's always easier to use a baby bath that is designed for a newborn
• Keep one arm under your newborn to offer support and to keep her a little more stable. Using your free arm gently wash your baby
• Once you're done carefully lift her out and place onto the towel which should already be laid out ready. Wrap her up and dry her off
• Now you can put on the clean diaper and clean clothes

Related Tips

• How to tell if your newborn is too hot or cold
• Young babies have a difficult time regulating their body temperature. As parents, it is our job to help our babies feel comfortable.
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