Families For Life | Bath and Care Tips for Babies

Newborn Safe Bath Temperature
Bath and Care Tips for Babies

Bathing a newborn can be challenging. This may be a new skill to you, so don't be afraid to ask, learn and practise. Some pointers: 

  • ​​Keep the water in the baby bathtub shallow. 

  • Remember to add hot water to cold water while filling the tub to prevent scalds. Check the temperature of the water with your elbow before bathing the baby. It should be warm and comfortable, not hot. 

  • Undress the baby and wrap him up in a towel. Clean his eyes first, then his face using moist cotton balls (without soap). Use a new​ cotton ball for each part of the face. 

  • Tuck him under your arm like a football, supporting his head with the same hand. Wash his hair. Dry his hair so that he will not catch a chill. 

  • Remove the towel and gently put him into the water. Support the head, neck and shoulders with your arm. 

  • Use a soft cloth to gently wash him under his armpit, then turn him over to wash his bottoms and genitals. 

  • Lift the baby out of the tub, wrap him in a dry towel and dry him thoroughly. Put on a clean nappy and clothes.​ 

Note: A young baby needs constant support in water. Never leave him unattended in the bath tub and on the changing table. ​


Cleaning and Care of Different Parts of Your Baby

​Eyes 

Wash each eye gently with a wet cotton ball (use boiled water that has cooled down). 

Ears 

Ears are self-cleaning. Ear wax and dust will gradually be pushed out to the surface so that these are easy to get rid of. A gentle wipe with a soft washcloth or a damp cotton ball of the outer ear is adequate. Never insert anything into your baby’s ear canal. 

Nose 

Use a wet cotton ball dampened with warm, boiled water to gently clean off any dried mucus around your baby’s nose. Never insert anything into your baby’s ​nose. 

Genitals 

Use a wet cotton ball to wipe the area. For girls, always wipe from front to back to avoid transferring bacteria from the anus to the vagina / urinary opening.​ 

Umbilical cord stump 

Bathe the baby as you normally do, then lightly dab the stump dry with a clean towel. Do not put any medicated oil on it or in your baby’s belly button. The stump will change colour from yellowish-green to brown and black, and eventually fall off by itself in 1 - 2 weeks. In the meantime, keep diapers below the stump so that it is exposed to air, not urine. When the stump falls off, there may be a little blood or yellow discharge for a few days. ​​​

Nails 

Newborns may have long, sharp and soft fingernails and toenails. Put mittens and booties on him so that he will not scratch himself. Avoid trimming these during the first few weeks as the nails are very soft. When the nails have hardened over a few weeks, use baby clippers or scissors to trim them. You may find it easier to do this while your baby is sleeping, and get another adult to help.


Contributed by:
HealthHub