Washing your baby
You don't need to give your newborn baby a bath every day - once a week on a regular day is often enough. You can bathe him more often if you both enjoy it - lots of babies do like having a splash in the bath once they get used to it. You can bathe him in any room in the house as long as it is warm enough. Always check the temperature of the water first to make sure it's not too hot by dipping in your elbow, or the inside of your wrist.
Wash the parts that matter
© DK
A young baby doesn't need bathing very often as only his face, neck, bottom, and skin creases get dirty. Topping and tailing is a quick way of washing the parts that really need cleaning with the minimum of disturbance and distress to him. Many young babies don't like having their skin exposed to the air and this way you don't have to completely undress your baby. For a newborn, use pieces of cotton wool dipped in cooled, boiled water and squeezed dry, but when your baby is a little older you can use warm water straight from the tap.
Wipe his eyes carefully, using a clean piece of cotton wool for each eye to avoid spreading any infection that may be present. Don't try to poke around in your baby's nose and ears; they are self-cleaning.
Tips for bath time
- Keep the room warm - at least 20°C (68°F) - and don't leave your baby undressed for too long.
- Make sure the bath is at a comfortable height for you.
- Check that everything you need for washing, drying, and dressing is within easy reach.
- Always test the water first and don't add hot water while your baby is in the bath. Add baby bath liquid to the water; it's easier to use than soap.
- Chat and smile to your baby at bath time, and take the chance to have lots of body contact.
Cleaning your baby's cord stump
Your baby's umbilical cord stump dries and drops off within a week after the birth.
Every day gently wipe the skin creases around the stump with a surgical baby wipe containing pure alcohol. Continue after the stump has separated so it heals quickly. If you notice any redness, discharge, or other signs of infection, check with your midwife or health visitor.
Dry the umbilical area carefully every time you bathe your baby. Leave the area open to the air as ofte as you can in order to avoid infection.
Nappy washing
It's important to wash fabric nappies thoroughly, as any traces of ammonia can irritate your baby's skin and faecal bacteria can cause infection.
It's best to use pure soap flakes or a non-biological washing powder because biological washing powder can be too harsh for a baby's delicate skin and cause rashes and skin reactions. If you use fabric conditioner, always make sure that it is completely rinsed away.
An outdoor washing line is ideal for drying nappies, but you might find you also need a tumble drier when the weather is not so good.
Posted 16.11.2010
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