Baby bath time

Bathing meets the baby’s hygiene needs and can also be an opportunity for extra cuddles and play. Here’s how to make it a peaceful experience for everyone.

Hygiene before the umbilical stump falls off

In general, it is preferable to give the first bath once the umbilical stump has fallen off (usually within the first three weeks of life). In the meantime, the baby can be washed under running water using a showerhead (thus without immersion). Sponge baths with water at an appropriate temperature can also be done. Always pay special attention to the face, neck, and genitals, which must be clean and dry.

In the first days after birth, newborn care includes thorough cleaning of the umbilical stump and protecting it from possible sources of infection. It is also important to promote the quick drying of the stump to aid in its detachment. These practices involve parents directly, who, after discharge from the hospital, must take special care of the umbilical stump for a few days.

Bathing the newborn and infant

The techniques used by the WHO to bathe a full-term newborn without an umbilical stump or an infant differ from those used for an adult. The risks also differ. A newborn cannot yet regulate their body temperature and is therefore at risk of heat loss. Additionally, they are at risk of accidental falls or skin lesions from contact with water that is too hot or too cold.

Bath time should be prepared in advance by gathering the materials to be used. Here’s the list:

• baby bathtub;
• mild soap or cleanser;
• thermometer;
• gauze and cotton;
• zinc oxide cream or ointment;
• towel;
• baby clothes (usually a bodysuit and a sleeper).

Correct water temperature for the newborn bath

Water temperature should be checked using a thermometer and kept between 32°C and 35°C in summer and 36°C to 37°C in winter (as recommended by the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital). The temperature can be tested with an instant-reading thermometer or more traditionally by dipping a parent’s elbow into the water.

At this point, undress the baby, laying them on their back on a flat surface. Be careful with the head, as newborns cannot yet control their movements. First, roll up the sleeves, then remove the shirt from the head by widening the neckline. Do the same with the bodysuit. Finally, remove the diaper.

How to bathe a newborn

Immerse the baby in water while keeping a secure hold. Support the head and torso with the forearm, with your hand in the baby’s armpit.

The face, eyes, and ears should be washed with cotton wool or gauze soaked in water. The rest of the body can be washed with a gentle cleanser. To clean the back and buttocks, turn the baby so the tummy rests on the parent’s arm.

The first baths should last no more than 5 minutes. At home, after hospital discharge, the baby can gradually be given longer baths, though never exceeding 15 minutes.

Once rinsed, wrap the baby immediately in a soft towel and place them on the changing table. Pat the skin dry—do not rub—to avoid lesions or redness. If lesions are present, apply zinc oxide cream.

What products to use after the bath and during diaper changes

It is now possible to put on the diaper and dress the newborn, this time starting with the bodysuit: first slipping it over the head and then the sleeves, which should be rolled up to make it easier to insert the little hand and arm. Finally, fasten the bodysuit and continue with the sleepsuit, inserting the feet and legs first, then the arms, and finally turning the baby onto their stomach to button the snaps.

The purpose of the bath, beyond hygiene needs, is also to stimulate blood circulation in the skin and promote perspiration. For this reason, after the bath it is not essential to apply creams or moisturizing lotion to the baby’s skin. On the other hand, applying a protective cream/paste to the diaper area can be very useful to protect against any irritation caused by urine and stool.

Newborn skin is sensitive and highly absorbent. It is important to remember that the skin’s natural protective systems are not yet fully developed, so the use of harsh chemical substances must be limited.

At diaper changes, wash the baby with lukewarm water and, if necessary, a gentle soap containing mild surfactants (avoid sodium lauryl or laureth sulphate; yes to betaine, disodium lauroamphodiacetate, decylglucoside). A liquid soap is preferable, as it is easier to use and more hygienic, to be diluted in the palm of your hand with water and not applied directly to the skin. A zinc oxide cream is useful in case of redness; creams containing petroleum derivatives, however, should be avoided.

The diaper must be the right size (it should never be too tight) and positioned with the adhesive tabs in front. In the case of baby boys who are still waiting for the umbilical cord to detach, the penis should be positioned downward inside the diaper to prevent urine from wetting the umbilical cord.

For minor diaper rashes, it is often sufficient—if environmental conditions allow—to gently clean and dry the area and leave it exposed to the air by using a diaper applied loosely and broadly. Alternatively, the baby can be laid on their stomach for a few hours on an “open” diaper, which will collect the urine.

Where to bathe the baby

Bathing can be done directly in the household bathtub or, better yet, in a baby tub with a rubber mat on the bottom to reduce the risk of slipping.

If using a baby tub, always ensure it is placed on a large, stable surface with everything needed nearby. Never leave the baby alone in the water—not even for a second!