B: When and where should I bath my newborn?

There's no real need to bath your newborn every day now that you are home from the hospital.

If you are happy just 'topping and tailing' (washing his face, neck, hands, bottom and any other visibly dirty bits), or if your baby isn't too keen on the water yet you can save baths for a weekly event.

There's no harm in nightly baths if your baby loves them of course!

First you'll have to decide where you plan to bath your baby.

You can probably manage in a sink or a clean washing up bowl when he is very small, or you might prefer to get a baby bath.

You might choose to try him straight away in the big bath but this can hurt your back as you'll have to bend right over to hold him safely.

You could get in the big bath with him if you think he is very nervous of being bathed as that can help some unsure babies, in which case you'll need someone to help you to get in and out.

It is probably not best to bath him if he is tired or hungry. Nor if he is too full, as it could make him be sick.

You must make sure the room is warm and that there are no draughts, but don't put his bath right next to a radiator either, as babies' skins are more sensitive to both the cold and to the heat.


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