Before you begin bathing your baby make sure you have all of the essential items before you begin:

• towel
• bathtub
• shampoo
• clean clothes and diaper
• wash cloth

Make sure the room is warm and put in enough warm water to cover part of the baby's body. You can do check the temperature with your elbow to make sure it is not too hot.

Undress the baby and ease him into the tub supporting his head and neck with one arm.

Use your free hand to wash the baby starting with the eyes and face and then the body

Have the towel on your shoulder to be ready to wrap him up snuggly and securely.

There is no need to bathe your baby more than 2 to 3 times a week.

BATHTIME:

Here are some tips for keeping your newborn clean and healthy:

* Wipe their eyes using a cotton ball in warm water.
* Wash baby’s face daily with a mild baby soap on a soft baby washcloth
* Use a nasal bulb syringe to gently unclog nostrils
* Use a nail clipper or blunt nose scissor to cut the nails. Best to do after a bath or when baby is sleeping and the fingers are relaxed
* Wash your baby’s hair no more than 3 times a week with a gentle baby shampoo and gently brush with a baby hairbrush
* When diapering the baby avoid the umbilical cord and until this falls off only do sponge baths
* For a circumcision gently clean the genital area with warm water daily. Use petroleum jelly to keep the penis from sticking to the diaper
* Newborns legs are naturally bowed, don’t worry, they straighten out anywhere from 6-18mths
* Only use fragrance free mild baby soap, use a hypoallergenic cream, and limit baths to 10 minutes to protect your baby’s skin
* change diapers frequently. Rinse their bottom with warm water after each change and avoid using wipes, they will irritate your newborns skin