Bathing and washing your baby

Watching those little legs kick around in the water for the first time is a magical experience. Here’s how to make it go without a glitch (but sorry, we haven’t yet found a way to keep you from getting splashed!).

1 Choose your moment

You can top and tail your baby for the first few weeks, but you can also bathe her from the start if you prefer. It’s fine to submerge her umbilical cord stump, or the area that’s still healing once it’s dropped off, although a good idea is to dry it gently and carefully afterwards, which will help protect against infection.

The golden rule is to avoid bathtime if she’s hungry or very tired, as she might not appreciate the sensation of getting wet. Early evening can be a good time, especially as a bath is likely to become part of your baby’s bedtime routine.

2 Check the temperature

Make sure the room’s nice and warm, and the temperature of the bath is right. You only need 4-5 inches of water and it should be warm, not hot. For safety’s sake, put the cold water in before the hot, mix thoroughly, and test with your elbow before putting her in.

Some parents invest in a baby bath, but they tend to be quickly outgrown. If you do, then for the sake of your back, look for one that comes with a stand, or can be fitted over a normal bath. Your baby is likely to be just as happy in the big bath from the start – or you can always use a large (clean!) washing up bowl, or even the sink, with the taps carefully covered.

3 Get everything ready!

And we mean everything. It’s not safe for a baby to be left alone in a bath, even for a second, so put all the bits and pieces you need ready and within reach. Clearly, this is easier said than done, especially on the first few attempts, so it’s a good idea to have two of you involved – one to bath the baby and one to dash out and grab the towel / cotton wool / plastic duck that you will inevitably forget! You will also find this is the time people will helpfully choose to phone you. Call them back later, they’ll understand.

4 Wash her eyes

Take her clothes off but leave her nappy on, and wrap her in a towel to keep warm. With a cotton wool pad dipped into a bowl of cooled, boiled water then squeezed out, wash her eyes wiping from the inside of the eye to the outside. Wash your hands first and use a fresh pad for each eye to minimise the risk of infection.

5 Wash her hair

You don’t really need to wash her hair in the early weeks, but if you do, hold her over the edge of the bath while still wrapped in a towel, supporting her neck carefully with one hand and using the other to scoop a little water over her head. If you want to, use a little mild shampoo, and rinse in the same way.

6 Splash time!

Now you can take off the towel and nappy (which she hopefully hasn’t filled, otherwise you’ll need to pause and clean her bottom first. Check the water temperature and then lower her into the water, using one hand to carefully support her head and shoulders and the other to gently splash water over her.

Hold her firmly, or she may feel insecure, but let her kick her legs around and move her arms through the water. There are various bath supports available, which can be helpful for freeing up your other hand.

7 Have fun!

She may find the sensation of water disconcerting at first, but she’ll soon grow to love it, and it may even help calm her down. Bright bath toys, especially ones that pour or squirt water can add to the fun. Bubbles and bubble bath aren’t really necessary for newborns, but if you do use them, plump for mild, unperfumed brands. They are best avoided if your baby has very dry or sensitive skin.

8 Squeaky clean

You don’t need to give her a good scrub, but you will need to wash the area under her neck and chin, and her armpits with your hands or a cotton wool pad. Milk can gather under the neck, and if left, will get smelly and even sore. Clean gently around the outside of the ears, but don’t be tempted to poke a cotton bud or anything else inside them – ears are self-cleaning, so there’s no need.

9 Warm and dry

Carefully lift her out (wriggly wet babies can be slippery!) and wrap her in a warm towel. Dry her carefully by patting with the towel, making sure you dry between all the folds and creases, and very gently around the stump if it’s still attached. Then get that clean nappy on quick – before she undoes all your good work! If her stump is still attached, you might want to fold down the top of the nappy, or some brands have a cut-out section around the waist.