by Carla Raley

Created on: October 14, 2010

As a mother of ten children and foster mother of more than fifty, I've given a lot of babies their first baths over the years.  It's always a thrilling thing for me to do this.  Their tiny bodies are so sweet and new, and baths are such a nurturing thing.  I loved seeing the wet little bodies, and this is a good time to look baby over to make sure everything is okay.

One main thing to remember when bathing your newborn baby is that the umbilical cord needs to stay dry.  Because of that, putting baby in your new little baby tub you got for a shower present will have to wait for a couple of weeks, unless you just want to sit baby in there without water while you bath him.  It's not a bad idea, since it will keep baby secure, and maybe make what might be a scary thing a bit easier for the new mommy.

You don't need a lot of special equipment for a first bath.  Two big, soft towels, two washcloths and some gentle soap is all you need.  Sit one towel aside to dry baby with, and lay the other one on the counter next to the sink filled with warm water.  Lay your undressed baby on the towel, and then wrap the towel around the baby so he won't be cold.  Wet your washcloth in the warm water and squirt a little soap onto the washcloth.  Unwrap baby’s hair, and gently wash his scalp.   Use the other washcloth without soap to clean the soap off. Cover babies head back up, and soap your washcloth again. Unwrap baby’s chest and arms, and gently wash them with the soapy cloth, and rinse with the other one.  Cover baby back up on top, and unwrap the lower part.  Wash again with your two washcloths.  When baby has been completely washed, wrap him in the other towel, since your first one will be a bit wet.  Take baby to your changing table to diaper and dress him.  You may want to swab the umbilical cord with peroxide or alcohol if your doctor recommended that, or if it looks like it needs a bit of help to dry up.  Use baby lotion on the baby if you would like, and dress him quickly so he won't get cold.  Wrap him in a soft blanket, and cuddle your sweet smelling clean baby. 

You did it!

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