Sponge Bathing Your Baby

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A sponge bath is when you bathe your baby without putting him in the bathtub. During a sponge bath, you will lay your baby on a towel and clean him with a wet washcloth. You should sponge bathe your baby no more than 2 to 3 times a week for 5 to 10 minutes. Your baby's skin is sensitive and fragile. Your caregiver may tell you to wash him with warm water only during the first month after birth. Only use gentle baby soap for areas that are noticeably dirty, such as his bottom. If your baby was premature (too early), his skin may be thinner and more sensitive than other babies. Your premature baby may not need a sponge bath as often because his skin may dry out faster.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Giving your baby a sponge bath:

• Prepare an area for your baby's sponge bath. Clean the surface you plan to give the bath on and the bath supplies. Make sure you have everything you need within easy reach. This includes warm water, baby soap or shampoo, a soft washcloth , cotton balls or pads, and a towel. The soap you use on your baby should not have any preservatives, alcohol, or perfumes in it. Ask your baby's caregiver what type of soap is best. Always test the water temperature before bathing your baby. Drip some water onto your wrist or inner arm. The water should feel warm, not hot, on your skin. If you have a bath thermometer, the water temperature should be 98.6°F to 103.9°F (37°C to 39.9°C).
  
  
• Keep the room warm. The room should be warm and free of drafts (cool breezes). To prevent drafts in the room, close the door and windows, and turn off fans.
  
  
• Wash your hands before giving your baby a sponge bath. This will help prevent the spread of germs.
  
  
• Place a towel on a flat surface. Place your baby on the towel. Never leave your baby alone while sponge bathing him, not even for a few minutes. If you must leave the room, wrap your baby in a towel, and take him with you.
  
  
• Start by washing your baby's face and head. Keep your baby wrapped in a blanket while you are washing his face and head. Wet a washcloth with water only, and wash his face. Wash behind and around your baby's ears. Clean his neck, making sure to wash under the skin folds. Gently clean his eyelids with a damp cotton ball or pad; be gentle. Wash your baby's head and hair 1 to 2 times a week with a gentle shampoo. Rinse his head with a wet washcloth to get rid of all the shampoo. Pat dry your baby's face and head well before continuing on with the bath.
  
  
• Wash the rest of your baby's body. Wash your baby's body with warm water. Start by washing his chest. Clean between his fingers and toes. Wash your baby's genitals (penis or vagina) and bottom last.
  
  
• Rinse the soap off and dry your baby. Be sure to rinse off all of the soap. You can rinse your baby by squeezing water onto his skin. Soap left on your baby's skin can be irritating. Pat him dry, and wrap him in a blanket. Do not rub your baby's skin dry. Use gentle baby lotion if he has dry or flaky skin. Ask your baby's caregiver what lotion to use and when to use it. Get your baby dressed as soon as he is dry.

Washing your baby's umbilical cord:

• Some caregivers suggest sponge bathing your baby until his umbilical cord stump falls off. Other caregivers say you can bathe your baby in the tub. Ask your caregiver if you should sponge bathe or tub bathe your baby while his umbilical cord is still attached.
  
  
• Wash the umbilical cord stump if it gets dirty with urine or bowel movement (BM). Clean it with a cotton ball or cotton pad that is wet with warm water. Gently pat the stump dry with a clean, soft towel. Do not pull on the umbilical cord stump. Fold the front of the diaper below the stump so air can reach it and help the stump dry out faster. Also, choose clean, loose-fitting clothes for your baby to wear. Ask your baby's caregiver for more information about umbilical cord care.

Washing your baby boy's circumcised or uncircumcised penis:

When a baby is circumcised, the foreskin (skin covering the penis tip) of his penis is removed. If your baby boy was circumcised, you can wash his penis 3 to 4 days after the circumcision is done. Use only warm water. Put a petroleum based ointment on his diaper so it will not stick to his penis while it heals. If a plastic circumcision device was used, do not use petroleum based ointment. Ask your baby's caregiver for more information about caring for your baby boy's circumcision. If your baby boy was not circumcised, wash his penis with warm water. Never pull back the foreskin with force as this may cause swelling and injury.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your baby has a fever (high body temperature). A fever is when your baby has a rectal temperature of 100.5ºF (38.0ºC) or higher. Ask your caregiver about how to take a rectal temperature.
  
  
• Your baby's umbilical cord stump looks red or swollen.
  
  
• You see yellow or green drainage around your baby's umbilical cord stump.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your baby has a skin rash and any of the following signs or symptoms:
  
  
  • A fever.
    
    
  • A dry mouth and fewer tears than usual when he cries.
    
    
  • Not wanting to eat and not moving around as much as usual.
    
    
  • A strong, constant cry and you are not able to calm him.
  
  

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Sponge Bathing Your Baby (Aftercare Instructions)