First Bath at Home

Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic. You only need a tiny amount - a pea-sized drop for the whole body. Less is more with newborn skin.

Dampen with warm water and wipe each eye from inner corner outward. Use a fresh cotton ball for each eye.

Have these laid out and unfolded before you start the bath. Wet naked babies get cold fast - speed matters.

Babies lose body heat fast when wet. Close windows, turn up the heat if needed. A warm room prevents shivering and crying.

Use a bath thermometer or your elbow - it should feel warm, not hot. Wrist testing is unreliable. 100°F max, always.

Soap, towels, washcloths, diaper, clothes - all within one arm's length. You can never, ever leave baby unattended in water. Not for one second.

No submerging in water until the umbilical cord falls off (usually 1-3 weeks). Use a damp washcloth for sponge baths instead.

Pat around it, never scrub it. Let it air dry after sponge baths. It'll look gross and crusty - that's normal.

Fold the front of the diaper down so it doesn't rub or trap moisture against the cord. Some newborn diapers have a cord cutout.

No soap on the face. Wipe eyes, nose, ears, then cheeks and chin with a warm damp washcloth. Do this before getting the body wet.

Your forearm under the head, hand gripping the far armpit. This is the football hold - practice it before bath day.

Soft circular motions with a tiny amount of baby shampoo. Don't worry about the soft spot - it's tougher than it looks.

Neck, chest, arms, hands, belly, legs, feet, then diaper area last. This keeps the cleanest areas from getting contaminated.

Wrap baby in the hooded towel the second they come out. Pat dry, don't rub. Pay special attention to skin folds - neck, armpits, thighs.

Moisturize with fragrance-free lotion if skin is dry, then diaper and dress fast. The whole process from water to clothed should be under 2 minutes.