How to Bathe your Baby

How to bathe your baby

Knowing how to bathe your baby properly will ensure that you have a clean, happy, rash free child. You don’t actually need to bathe your baby every day (2-3 times a week is appropriate unless your baby particularly enjoys it- you can’t bathe too much!), however you should wash their face, neck, hands and bottom (‘topping and tailing’). Steps 1-5 are for cleaning, steps 6-10 are for bathing.

Photo Credit: Designlazy.com

Steps

1- For cleaning: Choose a time when your baby is awake and happy. Make sure the room is warm. Get everything ready beforehand. You’ll need a bowl of warm water, a towel, cotton wool, a fresh nappy and clean clothes.

2- Lay them on a changing mat and take off all their clothes down to their vest and nappy.  Wrap them in a towel.

3- Dip the cotton wool in the water (make sure it doesn’t get too wet) and wipe gently around your baby’s eyes from the nose outward, using a fresh piece of cotton wool for each eye. This is so that you don’t transfer any stickiness or infection from one eye to another.

4- Use a fresh piece of cotton wool to clean around your baby’s ears, but not inside them. Never use cotton buds to clean inside your baby’s ears. Wash the rest of your baby’s face, neck and hands in the same way and dry them gently with the towel.

5- Take off the nappy and wash your baby’s bottom and genital area with fresh cotton wool and warm water. Dry very carefully, including between the skin folds, and put on a clean nappy.

6- For Bathing: Make sure the room is warm. Have everything you need at hand: a baby bath or washing-up bowl filled with warm water, two towels, baby bath liquid (unless your baby has particularly dry skin), a clean nappy, clean clothes and cotton wool.  The water should be warm, not hot. Check it with your wrist or elbow and mix it well so there are no hot patches.

7- Hold your baby on your knee and clean their face, following the instructions given in 3 and 4.

8- Wash their hair with water or a liquid soap or shampoo that’s designed for babies. Rinse carefully, supporting them over the bowl. Once you’ve dried their hair gently, you can take off their nappy, cleaning as you would normally before getting the bathing water dirty.

9- Lower your baby gently into the bowl or bath using one hand to hold their upper arm and support their head and shoulders. Keep your baby’s head clear of the water. Use the other hand to gently swish the water over your baby without splashing.

10- Lift your baby out and pat them dry, paying special attention to the creases in their skin.

Tips

Never leave your baby alone in the bath, not even for a second.

It will help your baby to relax if you keep talking while you wash them. The more they hear your voice, the more they’ll get used to listening to you and start to understand what you’re saying.

Don’t bathe your baby straight after a feed or when they’re hungry or tired.

Post bathing is a good time to massage some oil or cream (not aqueous cream) into your baby’s skin. Don’t use anything that contains peanut oil as some babies are allergic to it. Lots of babies love being massaged and it can help them relax and sleep. It’s best if you lay your baby on a towel on the floor as both the baby and your hands can get slippery.

If your baby seems frightened of bathing and cries, try bathing together. Make sure the water isn’t too hot. It’s easier if someone else holds your baby while you get in and out of the bath.