To bathe your newborn baby, you’ll need:
baby bathtub, clean towels, gentle baby soap and shampoo, clothes, diapers, cloth diapers, cotton balls soaked in cooled boiled water (for cleaning eyes), 70% alcohol and cotton balls or cotton swabs (for cleaning umbilical cord), soft-bristle brush/comb
How to Bathe a Baby
- Prepare all supplies and place them within reach to avoid leaving your baby unattended during bath time and reduce accident risks.
- Prepare warm water at 36-37°C (97-99°F). Test the temperature using the back of your hand or elbow.
- Lay baby on a towel and remove clothing, but leave the diaper on. Wrap baby in a large towel to begin shampooing.
- Shampooing (for right-handed mothers): Hold baby with your left arm, tucking baby’s body against you. Support the neck and shoulder with your left hand, using your thumb and middle finger to cover both ears. Use your right hand to shampoo. Wet the hair first, being careful not to get water in the ears. Apply a small amount of shampoo, massage gently, rinse thoroughly, and dry.
- Bathing process: Remove the towel and diaper. Cradle baby with head and neck resting on your wrist/forearm, your hand holding the shoulder. Use your other hand to support the bottom and thigh. Gently lower baby into the water.
- Washing the body: Use your free hand to wash baby. Apply a small amount of soap and wash one section at a time: arms (one at a time), neck folds, torso, and both legs. Rinse all soap off thoroughly.
- Cleaning the back: Turn baby over into a tummy-down position by supporting the shoulder with your other hand, letting baby’s chest rest on your forearm. Wash the back, bottom, and legs with soap, then rinse thoroughly.
- Finishing up: Turn baby back to face-up position by supporting the shoulder and rotating baby back to the original position with neck on your wrist. Lift baby from the tub, place on a towel on the bed or changing surface, cover with another towel, and pat dry thoroughly—especially in skin folds and around the umbilical cord base. Keep baby wrapped warmly.
- Eye and ear care: Use cotton balls dipped in cooled boiled water to wipe eyes from inner corner to outer corner—don’t wipe back and forth. Use fresh cotton for each eye if needed. Use fresh cotton balls or swabs to clean the outer ear area on each side—never insert anything deep into the ear canal.
- Umbilical cord care: Clean the umbilical cord with a cotton swab dipped in 70% alcohol. Hold the cord upright and wipe around the entire base where it meets the skin.
- Dress baby in clean clothes and diaper. In cool weather, add mittens and socks.
