4. BATHE THE BABY

Before you dump the baby in a tub full of water and start scrubbing away, remind yourself that washing a baby is not the same as washing a Labrador.

Before the cleaning commences, here are some bath tips:

  • Babies should not be bathed until after their umbilical cord falls out. Give the baby sponge baths until that happens.

  • Give the baby baths in her very own smaller baby tub until she is old enough to sit up by herself.

  • Strangely enough, some babies aren't comfortable with bathing completely naked, so you might want to consider undressing and washing only portions of the baby at a time if she fusses a lot in the tub.

  • It's not necessary to wash the baby's hair -- if she has hair -- every time she has a bath. Two or three times a week is suffice, and you should always use tear-free shampoo.

  • NEVER, EVER LEAVE THE BABY UNATTENDED IN THE TUB. This may seem like an obvious rule, but you should never even step out for a second to fetch the baby's clothes or to shut the bathroom door. We don't want to scare you, but it's a fact that infants can barely unclench their hands, let alone swim.

Keeping these tips in mind, you may now start the water!

  1. Run about two inches of warm water in the baby tub. The baby's entire body does not need to be submersed in water and keeping the water level shallow is the safe way to go. Also, don't forget that just because you like your baths scalding hot with lots of bath beads and scented bubbles doesn't mean the baby will enjoy his bath that way. So keep the water nice and lukewarm.

  2. Gently and briefly dip the baby in and out of the water a couple of times before placing her in. This is to gradually introduce the baby's sensitive body to the water temperature.

  3. Use a soft and soapy wash cloth to clean the baby all over. Include the face and the folds of skin around the baby's neck and never resort to scrubbing (remember - not a Labrador!). Rinse the baby well with gentle pats of bath water.

  4. To shampoo your baby, pull her down into a reclining position, her head dangling just over the top of the water (and of course, with one hand behind the head supporting it). Work the shampoo from front to back so that soap doesn't get onto the baby's face. Massage her scalp with your fingertips and then use your cupped hand to rinse the baby's hair thoroughly.

  5. After the bath, shift your baby into a nice warm towel and pat her dry - don't rub!