Knowing when it's okay to give your newborn a bath can be a challenge. According to the American Academy of Pediatricians it is best to wait until the umbilical cord stump has fallen off. This usually takes about three weeks; until then, you can give your baby a sponge bath.
You don't need to bathe your baby in the bath tub. For some people this may seem obvious but others may not realize that it isn't really necessary to get down on your knees and bathe the baby in the big tub. There are a variety of infant tubs on the market for you to use on the table. These tubs are safer for baby and better for your back. You should look for a tub that fits your baby comfortably. There are inflatable pool types of tubs that are just the right size for a newborn and there are tubs that have interchangeable parts that grow with baby. Reading the product reviews will give you an idea about how easy the tub is to use and what other parents think about the safety of the product.
Your baby's skin is very sensitive and delicate so choose a cleanser that is made for babies. Look for products that have a moisturizer and that don't use alcohol or lots of chemicals because these can be drying to your baby's skin. Many parents prefer the organic products available. Even with natural products, make sure you read the label so you know what you are putting on your baby.
When bathing your baby, you will find that things can get slippery fast. One thing that will help is laying a towel down in the tub. This will usually help keep baby from slipping from side to side in the water. If you wear a pair of cotton gloves it will also provide a better grip on baby.
It will take a little time for your little one to get used to bath time and certain aspects of it may be more traumatic than others. If your baby is having a hard time getting used to the face washing you may want to try just using your hands instead of a wash cloth or cotton balls to do the washing then gently pat dry with a towel or soft, dry face cloth.
