How to Sponge Bathe a Newborn Baby

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By sunshine11219
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Sponge Bathe a Newborn Baby

When you have a newborn baby you will be unable to submerge the baby in water until the umbilical cord falls off, So what you will need to do is sponge bathe the newborn baby. I will give you step by step instruction on how to easily sponge bathe your baby.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

The first step in giving your newborn baby a sponge bath is to be prepared. So make sure that you have everything that you will need to sponge bathe your baby before you start.
You will need two hooded towel's two wash cloths and warm water in two basin's or large bowls. You will also need gentle baby soap.
You will also need to have the babies clothes and new diaper on hand as well and any ointments or lotions that you would like to put on your baby after the sponge bath. You will also need to clean the umbilical cord area after your baby is washed. You can see the resources section below for a guided description on how to care for babies umbilical cord you will also find how to diaper your baby and also if a boy how to care for the circumcision. As well as the football hold.
Step 2

Put everything you need on a secure place like a table or changing table wherever you will be washing your baby is fine. Now that you have all of the stuff together to sponge bathe the baby go ahead and get started. What you should do is always start from the most cleanest pat of the baby to the dirtiest part of the baby. So what you do is start on top of your baby and then end up on the bottom.
Step 3

First put the washrag in one of the basin's with the warm water in it. Now lay your baby down on the secured table, then squeeze the water out of the wash rag and put your pointer finger in the center of the rag and put the excess of the rag in your hand. Now with the rag gently wipe the baby from one corner of the eye to the other side of the eye. Now repeat put the rag in the water and use another part of the rag and clean the other eye the same way. Then what you do is put the rag back in the water and squeeze out the excess water and then wipe the baby's face down around the nose and cheeks around he neck and ears. After the face is clean pat the face with a towel to dry.
Step 4

Now put your baby in the football hold and hold the baby over the basin of water and gently put water in your other hand and wet the baby's hair and head, After the head is wet with warm water add a small amount of baby soap to the baby's head and rub in gently then rinse the soap out over he basin with water until the soap is out of the baby's hair. Take one of the hooded towels and put it over the baby's head and lay the baby down and dry the baby's hair and remove the baby's clothes. Make sure that you leave the towel over the baby's head and keep the baby laying down while you wash the baby's body.
Step 5

Put the wash rag in the basin of water and add a small amount of soap to the rag and rub the soapy rag into the baby's neck and behind the ears, Now get under the armpit of the baby and gently rub. Now slide your hand behind the baby's back and rub the baby's back, make sure to add water as needed to keep the rag warm and soapy and slippery. Now wash the baby's legs and feet.
Step 6

Now with the clean water in the other basin put the other wash rag into the water and use clean water to remove the soap from the baby. Making sure you do not wet the umbilical cord.
Step 7

With the other dry hooded towel pat the baby down and quickly wrap the baby up with the dry towel and cleanse the diaper area and care for the umbilical cord and dress your baby.