Cleaning the Baby

Before cleaning the baby, make sure the following items are nearby: dry towel or hooded towel, fresh clothing, new diaper, washcloths or sponges, small cups or bowls, hair comb, shampoo.

Sponge Bath

1. Prepare two bowels of lukewarm water-one with soap, one without. Use a soap prepared especially for babies.

2. Position the baby on a bath towel on a flat surface, or on your lap.

3. Remove the baby's clothes. If you baby does not mind being undressed, remove all of her clothes but keep her lower half wrapped in a dry bath towel. Otherwise, expose each part of the body in turn.

4. Dip a washcloth in soapy water and apply to the baby, Wash one section at a time.

5. Dip a washcloth in the non-soapy water. Rinse the baby with short, gentle strokes.

6. Clean the baby's face. Dip a washcloth in the non-soapy water and pat the baby's face with it. Work from the center out using short, gentle strokes. Wash behind the baby's ears and under any folds in her necks.

7. Wash the baby's hair.

8. Wrap the clean baby in a bath towel and pat dry.

9. If the baby's umbilical stump is still present, you might want to swab around it with rubbing alcohol. This decreases the risk of infection.

10. Re-install a diaper and dress the baby.

Basin Bath

1. Obtain a small tub, basin, or sink, and line it with a pad or bath towel.

2. Fill the basin two or three inches deep with warm water. Use a thermometer to check the temperature-it should be between 85 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit (29-35 C). If you don't have a thermometer, dip your elbow in the water to gauge the comfort level. If the water is too hot for you, it is too hot for the baby. Adjust and recheck the temperature as necessary.

3. Undress the baby.

4. Place the baby in the bath. Use your hand to support the baby's head, neck, and shoulders above water.

5. Wash the baby. Apply baby-safe soap to a washcloth and clean the baby with it. Continue to support the baby's head, neck, and shoulders with one hand as you wash her with the other.

6. Clean the baby's hair.

7. Rinse the baby. Use a small cup filled with lukewarm water from the faucet to rinse away any soapy residue.

Bathtub Bath

By the sixth month, most babies will have outgrown their bath basins and will be ready for a standard adult-sized bathtub.

1. Install a rubber bathmat in the bathtub to prevent slipping.

2. Cover the faucet and handles. Use small bath towels or custom-designed covers.

3. Fill the bathtub with warm water.

4. Check the water level. Whether you are going in the bath with the baby or kneeling beside the tub, the water level must be below the baby's waist-about two to three inches.

5. Turn off the hot water first, ensuring the faucet is tight. This prevents burns from a dripping or leaky faucet.

6. Check the water temperature. The temperature should be between 85 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Check it with a thermometer and dip your elbow into the water to gauge the comfort level.

7. Adjust the water temperature if necessary.

8. While kneeling, gently sit the baby in the water.

9. Spend time playing in the tub before washing. Initially, the baby may be reluctant to enter the tub. Make bathing fun by playing games with squirting, floating, or other bath toys.

10.  Wash the baby.