Bathing a newborn

How often

You do not need to bath her every day. Two or three times a week is fine. If you both enjoy it, a daily bath is fine too.

On other days, you can top and tail her. This means washing her face, neck, hands and bottom with bowls of warm water.

Use plain water for at least the first month. Do not add cleansers or use lotions or medicated wipes. Wait until she is at least 1 month old before using lotions or oils.

Topping and tailing

• Warm the room. Have warm water, cotton wool, a towel and a clean nappy ready.
• Leave her vest and nappy on. Wrap her in a towel.
• Wipe around each eye from the nose outwards. Use a fresh piece of cotton wool for each eye.
• Clean around her ears, but not inside them. Never use cotton buds in her ears.
• Wash her face, neck and hands. Dry them gently.
• Wash her bottom and genitals last, with fresh cotton wool. Dry carefully between the skin folds.

Giving her a bath

• Choose a time when she is awake and content. Avoid just after a feed, or when she is hungry or tired.
• Warm the room. Have 2 towels, a clean nappy and clean clothes ready.
• Run the cold water first. Then add the hot. Fill the bath to about 8 to 10cm.
• Mix the water well, so there are no hot patches. Test it with your elbow. It should feel like your body temperature.
• Clean her face first. Then wash her hair with plain water, holding her over the bath.
• Lower her in. Hold her upper arm with one hand, with your arm supporting her head and shoulders.
• Keep her head out of the water. Gently swish water over her with your other hand.
• Lift her out. Pat her dry, especially in the skin creases.
• Empty the bath as soon as you finish.

Keeping her safe

Never leave her alone in the bath, not even for a second. Babies can drown very quickly in a few centimetres of water. It happens with no noise or struggle.

Do not let older children look after her in the bath. Do not use a baby bath seat. It can come away from the bath.