Bathing Baby: A Guide to Getting Your Little One Clean

The most important rule of bathing is never to take your hands off your baby once you start the bath. A pillow covered with a towel provides a comfortable, convenient place for a sponge bath. Also, be sure the room you're in is draft-free to keep your baby warm.

Wash your baby's face and eyes first. Go from the inside to the outside of the eye with a cotton ball, using a separate cotton ball for each eye.

Next, wash your little one from the neck down; undress half of the body at a time to prevent your baby from becoming chilled.

Place the shampoo on the head and very gently rub the scalp. To prevent or heal cradle cap (the crusty, scaly patches on your baby's head), gently use a soft toothbrush or surgical brush to clean the scalp daily, including during a bath. You only need about two to three drops of shampoo to wash your baby's hair.

Pat your baby dry; rubbing may damage a baby's gentle skin.

An important note: Don't use a cotton swab to clean your baby's nose and ears; it can damage tissues.