Portable Tub or Sink Bath

1. Select a safe, flat surface for the portable baby tub. You might want to omit soap the first couple of times you give a tub bath because soapy babies are slippery babies.
   
   
2. Place your supplies within easy reach of the bathing area.
   
   
3. Put 2 inches of water into the baby tub. Test the water temperature with your wrist or elbow to be sure it is comfortably warm. Never run the water with baby in the tub because a water temperature change might occur. Don’t add baby soap or bubble bath to the water, because these can be drying to your baby’s skin.
   
   
4. Undress your baby completely.
   
   
5. Gently slip your baby into the tub or sink. Support the neck and head with 1 hand securely in a semireclining position. With your free hand, wash baby working from the cleanest to the dirtiest areas. First, use a sterile cotton ball moistened in warm water: clean 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. Cleanse the abundant folds of the neck. Dry all parts of the face and neck.
   
   
6. Use soap on the hands and the diaper area daily. Use it every couple of days on arms, neck, legs, and abdomen as long as baby’s skin doesn’t seem dry—less often if it does. When you have taken care of baby’s front parts, turn him or her over your arm and wash the back and buttocks.
   
   
7. Once or twice a week, wash your baby’s scalp using mild baby soap or baby shampoo. Rinse very thoroughly and towel dry.
   
   
8. Wrap baby in a towel, pat dry.
   
   
9. 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 before placing it on your baby’s temperature-sensitive skin. If your baby seems up to it, spend a little extra time massaging the lotion into the skin.
   
   
10. Get your baby fully dressed.