Tub Bathing Your Baby

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• You may begin tub bathing your baby once his umbilical (um-BIL-i-kal) cord falls off, and has healed. If you have a baby boy, also wait until his circumcision (erk-kum-SIZH-un) is healed before tub bathing. At first, your baby may cry and kick when he is in a tub. With time, your baby will adjust to having his clothes off, being wet, and bathed. Your child's safety and comfort are important when tub bathing him.
  
  
• For the first six months, bathe your baby in a baby bathtub or clean, plastic basin. Once your baby can sit up without help (around six months), you may bathe him in the family bathtub. Your baby should only need a bath two or three times per week during his first year. Bathing every day may dry out your baby's delicate skin. Good times to bathe your baby are before feedings, naps, or bedtime.

INSTRUCTIONS:

How do I give my baby a tub bath?

• Put everything you need within easy reach so you do not have to leave your baby's side during the bath. Include baby soap and shampoo, washcloth, towels, clean diaper, and clothes.
  
  
• Never leave your baby alone while tub bathing him, not even for a few minutes. If you must leave the room, take your baby with you.
  
  
• Set a baby bathtub, clean plastic dishpan, or basin down into an adult bathtub or sink. Fill your baby's tub with two to three inches of warm water. Put a small amount of baby soap in the water. Instead, you may use plain water in the tub and put baby soap on the washcloth.
  
  
• Test the water temperature by dripping a small amount on your wrist or inner arm. The water should feel warm on your skin, not hot.
  
  
• Slowly put your baby's body into the water. During the bath, use one of your hands to support the back of your baby's head and neck. Your other hand is then free to wash your baby.
  
  
• Wash the eyelids with fresh water, wiping from the inner eye corners and out toward the ears. Wash outside and behind the ears with a cloth. Do not put cotton swabs in your baby's ears. This can hurt your baby's ears.
  
  
• Your baby's head and hair may be washed one or two times a week with a gentle shampoo. Rinse his head with a washcloth to get rid of all shampoo.
  
  
• Wash the rest of your baby's body with baby soap. Go down your baby's body carefully, making sure to wash skin folds under the neck, arms, and between the legs. Wash your baby's diaper area (his bottom) last.
  
  
• For boys, wash their bottom with a mild soap or with plain water. Be sure to lift the scrotum and wash underneath it.
  
  
• For girls, wash their bottom with plain water. Wipe from front to back.
  
  
• Rinse the soap off well and dry your baby. Soap left on your baby's skin can be irritating.
  
  
• You may rub a small amount of unscented lotion onto dry patches of your baby's skin. Otherwise, lotions, powers, and oil are usually not needed for newborn babies. Only use soaps and skin products made especially for babies. If your baby's skin seems very dry, bathe him only one or two times each week.
  
  
• Do not put your baby in a bath seat or "support ring" during his bath.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• Your baby develops a rash that is spreading or will not go away.
  
  
• Your baby has a birthmark that is getting bigger.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

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.

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