Sponge Bath

1. Select a safe and flat surface on which to work. Make it comfortable for your baby by putting down a soft, clean towel.
   
   
2. Place your supplies within easy reach of the bathing area.
   
   
3. Get baby ready. If the room is warm, you can remove all of baby’s clothing before beginning, covering him or her loosely with a towel while you work. If it is cool in the room, undress each body part of the body as you are ready to wash it. Do not remove baby’s diaper until you are ready to cleanse that area.
   
   
4. Always keep one hand on your baby for his or her safety.
   
   
5. If someone else is available, have them take a picture to commemorate this very tender milestone of baby and parenthood.
   
   
6. Begin washing. Take time to admire your baby’s body—all too often we bundle up our babies and never adore those precious feet or that soft bottom. It is a good idea to wash a newborn's hair near the end of bath time. This will help prevent him or her from losing too much body heat.

   Face. Using a sterile cotton ball moistened in warm water, clean your baby’s eyes, wiping gently from the nose outward. Use a fresh cotton ball for each eye. No soap is needed. Wipe around your baby’s mouth, nose, forehead, cheeks, and chin. Wipe around the outer ears, but not inside. Dry all parts of the face.

   Neck and chest. Again, soap is not necessary, unless baby is sweaty, smelly, or dirty. Be sure to get into those abundant creases where spit up is likely to collect. Dry.

   Arms. Open the arms to get into the elbow creases, and press the palms to open the fist. The hands will need a bit of soap, but be sure to rinse them well before they are back in baby’s mouth. Dry.

   Back. Turn baby over on the tummy with head to one side, and wash the back, being sure not to miss the neck folds. Dry, and dress the upper body before continuing if the room is chilly.

   Legs. Extend the legs to get the back of the knees. If your baby seems up to it, massage the feet or play “This little piggy” with your baby’s toes. Dry.

   Head. Once or twice a week, use soap or baby shampoo, rinsing very thoroughly. On interim days, use just water. A football hold at the sink's edge can be the easiest and most comfortable way to rinse baby’s head. Before proceeding, dry your baby’s hair, then place the hood of the towel or an infant cap on his or her head to help maintain body heat.

   Cord care. To prevent infection, health care practitioners have long recommended cleaning off the base of the stump with a cotton swab or gauze pad dipped in a little rubbing alcohol, and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) still supports that practice. But a recent Canadian study suggests that gently cleaning around the base of the cord with warm water alone actually may help the cord heal faster. When rediapering your baby, fold the diaper down so it doesn’t cover this area. When the stump dries out, usually between 1-4 weeks after birth, and the wound heals, usually within a few more days, you will be able to give your baby a tub bath.

   Diaper area. Grab a new washcloth to clean the genitals. Wash girls front to back, spreading the labia and cleaning gently with a washcloth dipped in soap and warm water. A white vaginal discharge is normal; don’t try to scrub it away. Rinse gently with warm water. Wash boys carefully, getting into all the creases with soap and warm water. For the circumcised baby, while he is still healing, put a fresh piece of petroleum gauze over the wound. For the uncircumcised baby, do not try to retract the foreskin. Dry the diaper area well and apply ointment if needed. Diaper your baby.

7. If your climate or your baby’s skin is prone to dryness, consider putting a gentle baby lotion on your baby. Remember to warm the lotion in your hands. If your baby seems up to it, spend a little extra time massaging the lotion into the skin.

8. Get your baby fully dressed.