This short video demonstrates how to safely bath a newborn, including information on setting up, bathing techniques and baby bath temperature. It is important to look after baby's comfort as well as cleanliness.
Some babies find it very relaxing floating in warm water while you hold them, and others could take it or leave it. Your newborn doesn’t need a bath every day. You can just do a top and tail wash to keep it short. This is just cleaning the face, hands and bottom with a wash cloth and a warm basin of clean water. Make sure the water is warm, but not hot, about 36 degrees Celsius.
Onscreen tip: Swirl water and test with your wrist if no thermometer available. Set up everything you need before you start: towels, basin of warm water, sterile cotton pads, washcloth, nappy and nappy cream.
Soap can irritate sensitive newborn skin and they don’t really need it. You can use a non-soap cleanser for hands and bottom as long as it’s rinsed thoroughly. Put your baby onto a towel and have her partially wrapped to keep her warm.
Start by wiping the eyes only once, with a sterile cotton pad for each eye. Then use the wet wash cloth to wipe her head, behind her ears and then be sure to wipe under her chin where milk dribbles down because this can cause a rash. Then to her hands, then last her bottom, remembering to drain and wash out the basin before using it for anything else.
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