Sponge Bathing Your Baby

What is a sponge bath?

A sponge bath is when you bathe your baby without putting him in the bathtub. During a sponge bath, you 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 each week. A sponge bath should take about 5 to 10 minutes to complete.

What should I know about my baby's skin?

• 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. 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. Wash your baby's skin gently; do not rub.
  
  
• 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. Soap may irritate your premature baby's skin more quickly than other babies.

How do I give my 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. 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. 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 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.

What should I know about washing my 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.

What should I know about washing my 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.

What are the risks of sponge bathing?

• Your baby may get cold quickly during a sponge bath. Your baby may cry during the sponge bath. Scrubbing your baby's skin while washing, or rubbing his skin dry may cause damage to his skin. If you use soap and do not rinse it off completely, it can dry and irritate your baby's skin.
  
  
• Your baby may have dried urine or BM in his skin folds, even with regular diaper changes. If he is not sponge bathed to remove the dried urine or BM, he may get a rash. The rash can become infected if it is not treated properly. Talk with your baby's caregiver if you have questions or concerns about giving your baby a sponge bath.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your baby's care. To help with this plan, you should learn about sponge bathing your baby. You can then discuss other options with your baby's caregivers. Work with them to decide what care will be used to treat your baby.

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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.