How to Sponge Bathe a Newborn

That first bath can be daunting, but really it's no big deal. You'll soon be handling your new baby like a pro.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2 Bowls of warm water, with a small amount of baby shampoo or bath added to one
• Wash cloth
• Hand Towel
• Towel to protect bathing surface
• Towel to dry baby with
• Cotton balls
• Baby lotion, if desired

1. Lay your baby out on a protected surface. I lay a doubled bath towel under the baby, you can also place puppy pads underneath for added protection.
   
   Unfasten and remove all of the clothing, including the diaper, and place the hand towel or receiving blanket over the baby.
   
   Some babies are very sensitive to being naked and may cry. Usually if they are covered up, they will calm themselves.

2. Now, take a moistened (with water only) cotton ball, and gently clean the eyes. Wipe from the inside corner by the nose, outward towards the cheek. Do not reuse the cotton ball. Use a new one for each wipe you make.
   
   Now gently wash the rest of the face, again with plain water and a clean cotton ball.

3. Now you can add a small amount of baby shampoo or baby bath to the water. You will need a second bowl of warm water to rinse with.
   
   Wet your wash cloth and gently swab the baby's head. You should actually scrub the head gently to avoid cradle cap. If cradle cap develops, wet the area and let it "soak" for a moment, then scrub it off gently with a very soft toothbrush.
   
   Now take another washcloth and wet it in plain water and wipe any soap off well. You can drizzle water carefully over the hair, but avoid getting it in the baby's eyes, nose, mouth or ears.
   
   Once rinsed, dry the hair gently with a clean receiving blanket or towel.

4. Now with a clean cotton ball moisten it slightly and clean around the ears, and inside. Do not use a cotton swap, just clean the outside of the ear.
   
   Be sure and clean very well behind the ears which can quickly become crusted with dry skin and milk on a baby.

5. Now with the wash cloth, clean the neck, you will have to gently turn the baby's head and maneuver it around some to get all the cracks and crevices cleaned.
   
   Rinse as above, and then move to the chest. Be sure to uncover an area, wash, rinse then cover it back up to keep the baby calm.

6. Now wash the arms, hands, legs and feet. Wash each place well, and rinse well, then recover that area and move on to the next place. Be sure and wash the diaper area last.
   
   Little boys can be washed with a plain washcloth, but little girls can be cleaned better with a cotton ball. Wipe once front to back, then get a clean cotton ball.
   
   Do not use soap on little girls, plain water is best. You can use soap on little boys, but to insure that you do not introduce it into the urethra, which can be irritating.

7. Use a clean towel or receiving blanket to dry off any wet areas that you missed. Now you can apply any lotion products you might like to use. Do not use them in diaper areas, near the eyes, mouth or nose. Also, avoid using products made for grownups, this may irritate baby's skin. In fact many people do not use baby lotion products at all on newborns, because they can be irritating.

8. Re-diaper the baby, and put clean clothes on him or her, and you are ready to show off your sparkling clean baby!

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the baby covered, and dry as possible to avoid a crying baby.
• Use only products designed for infants.
• Relax and take your time. If you are upset, then the baby will also get upset.
• If baby cries, just keep working, talking to him or her and don't worry, your baby will be fine.
• Don't hesitate to pick up your baby to calm them before continuing.
• Don't forget to have fun, this will turn into a fun and exciting part of parenting with some practice.
• Do not use soap, lotion or anything but plain water on the eyes, ears, mouth, nose or genital areas of babies.
• Avoid getting water in eyes, ears, mouth or nose.
• Use a clean cotton ball for each eye.