2torial #0495:
Learn2 Bathe an Infant

Slippery when wet

Nothing compares to the pure smell of a clean infant. Getting your baby clean, however, is another matter. If you're wondering about where and when to give a bath, what products to use, and the safest and easiest way to perform this important ritual of parenting, simply follow these basic baby steps.

There are a few details to be aware of before starting out. First, if your baby still has an umbilical stump (it usually falls off within the first 3 weeks after birth), he or she needs to have a sponge bath so the stump stays dry. See Step 1 and Step 2 for details.

Second, until they start getting mobile on their own--and getting into messes on their own--babies need bathing no more than 3 or 4 times a week. Too much washing can dry out an infant's delicate skin and cause rashes. You should, however, wash your baby's face and hands regularly (at least three times a day), as well as clean the genital area and bottom with each diaper change. Always use an unscented soap made specifically for babies.

Finally, and most important, never, under any circumstances, leave your baby unattended in a bath. A baby can drown in less than an inch (2.5 centimeters) of water, in less than 60 seconds. Schedule the bath when you know you'll have an uninterrupted amount of time (try to avoid scheduling a bath after feeding or before naps, when your baby may be cranky), and gather everything you'll need before you start. Let the answering machine pick up any phone calls that come through. That way, the bath will be a fun time for you and your baby to relax together.