First bath
Sponge baths until the cord falls off
About 15 min
Why it matters
Sponge baths keep the cord stump dry until it falls off. The World Health Organization recommends waiting at least 24 hours after birth for the first bath. Three baths a week are plenty for most babies in the first year; bathing too often dries the skin.
What you need
- A warm, draft-free room
- A baby bath or basin with warm water
- Two towels (one to lie on)
- Clean cotton wool
- Optional: a mild, pH-neutral baby wash
- A clean diaper and clothes
Step by step
- 1 Get everything ready first. Never leave your baby alone during a bath, not even for a second; if you need something, wrap them in a towel and take them with you.
- 2 Run cold water first, then add hot and mix well. Test with your elbow or wrist: it should feel warm, not hot.
- 3 Sponge bath (until the cord falls off): lay your baby on a towel and keep the parts you aren't washing covered so they stay warm.
- 4 Wipe each eye with its own piece of damp cotton wool, from the nose outward. Wash the face with water only; clean behind and around the ears, never inside.
- 5 Wipe the neck, armpits, hands, feet and skin folds; clean the diaper area last.
- 6 Tub bath once the stump is off: use about 5 cm (2 in) of water, support the neck and shoulders with one arm, and lower your baby in slowly, feet first.
- 7 Wrap in a towel straight away, pat dry including the folds, and dress.
Common mistakes
- Leaving your baby alone, even for a moment.
- Testing the water with your hand; hands are less sensitive to heat.
- Putting cotton buds inside the ears.
- Putting your baby into water before the cord stump falls off.
When to see a doctor
- The cord area turns red or oozes after a bath.
- Dry, cracked skin or a widespread rash that doesn't go away.
- Redness or a burn mark on the skin after the bath.
This guide gives general information and doesn't replace a medical exam. If you're worried about your baby, talk to your doctor.