Washing and Bathing
Washing Wash your babys face, neck, hands and bottom carefully every day. This is often called topping and tailing. Choose a time when your baby is awake
and contented and make sure the room is warm. Organise everything you need in advance a bowl of warm water, a towel, cotton wool, a fresh nappy and, if necessary, clean clothes.
Hold your baby on your knee, or lie your baby on a changing mat, and take off all your babys clothes except for a vest and nappy. Then wrap your baby in the towel.
Dip the cotton wool in the water (not too much) and wipe gently around your babys eyes from the nose outward, using a fresh piece of cotton wool for each eye.
Using a fresh piece of cotton wool, clean around your babys ears, but dont clean inside them.
Wash the rest of your babys face, neck and hands in the same way and dry them gently with the towel.
Now change your babys nappy.
In the first ten days you should also clean around your babys navel each day. Your midwife will show you how.
Bathing
Bathing two or three times a week is quite enough, but you can do it daily if your baby enjoys it.
Dont bath your baby straight after a feed or when your baby is hungry or tired. Make sure the room is warm.
Have everything you need at hand a baby bath or washing-up bowl filled with warm water, two towels (in case of accidents!), baby bath liquid (but avoid this if your baby has particularly dry skin) or baby soap, a clean nappy, clean clothes and cotton wool.
Make sure the water is warm, not hot; check it with your wrist or elbow.
Hold your baby on your knee and follow the instructions given above for cleaning his or her face.
Wash your babys hair with baby soap or liquid, then rinse carefully, supporting your baby over the bowl. Dry gently.
Now remove your babys nappy, wiping away any mess. If youre using baby soap, soap your baby all over (avoiding his or her face) while still on your knee, keeping a firm grip while you do so.
Lower your baby gently into the bowl using one hand to hold your babys upper arm and support his or her head and shoulders; keep your babys head clear of the water. Use the other hand to gently swish the water over your baby without splashing. Never leave your baby alone in the bath; not even for a second.
Lift your baby out and pat dry, paying special attention to the creases. You may want to use this time to massage oil into your babys skin. Many babies love this and it may help your baby relax and sleep. Lay your baby on a towel on the floor as both the baby and your hands might be a bit slippery.
If your baby seems frightened of bathing and cries, you could try bathing together, but make sure the water is not too hot. Its easier if someone else holds your baby while you get in and out.