Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP: With newborns, a little bit of bathing goes a long way. Parents always have questions about how to – and where to – give those first baths,
and we're ready with instructions with help from two week old Matthew, step by step.
Jennifer Shu, MD (cont.): Sponge baths are especially useful during the first few weeks, before the umbilical cord stump falls off and the area heals.
First, gather your supplies so you can focus on the baby during the bath. You'll need a mild soap or cleanser, a soft washcloth and a small bowl or plastic tub of warm – not hot water.
Check with your inner wrist or elbow to see that the temperature is right. Don't forget a hooded bath towel, a clean diaper and fresh clothes.
If you do forget something, take baby with you to retrieve it. You never want to leave your baby alone.
Jennifer Shu, MD (cont.): Make sure the room is warm, since babies can lose body heat quickly. Undress the baby on a changing table or other flat surface that's been covered with a towel or waterproof pad.
Some suggest keeping the diaper on at first to prevent accidents. Wet the washcloth with water to gently clean the baby's face, head and neck.
Better not to risk getting soapy water in the eyes of your newborn! Rinse the cloth and add a little liquid cleanser for the rest of the bath.
Jennifer Shu, MD (cont.): Moving front to back and top to bottom, continue to wash the remainder of the baby's body. Lift and separate to clean the folds in the legs and arms,
and don't forget behind the ears. Wash around the umbilical cord stump without getting it wet.
Jennifer Shu, MD (cont.): Clean the genital area last, remembering to wipe front to back. If baby is an uncircumcised boy, don't retract the foreskin to clean it, and never clean the head of a newly circumcised penis.
Then do a final all-over sponge rinse before wrapping baby in a hooded towel to pat dry.
Jennifer Shu, MD (cont.): A relaxing bath helps babies sleep. Try to time the routine accordingly and take it step by step. For WebMD I'm Dr. Jennifer Shu.
