It can be tricky to bath a newborn baby, especially if it's the first time that you have done it and if there is no-one with you to help.
This is what you will need..
A baby bath
Towels
Flannel
Muslins
Clean nappy
I always advise families to wait for 7 days before they give their newborn it's first bath. The reason for this is so you do not wash the vernix off before it has been totally absorbed. The vernix has lipids, amino acids, proteins, antibacterial and antimicrobial compounds within it which are all hugely beneficial for baby. Initially you can use warm water and cotton balls to clean your baby when you are changing their nappy and a muslin to dry the area. Water wipes or organic wetwips when they are a little older.
Place the bath either on the kitchen worktop or dining room table so you can comfortably stand and bathe your baby whilst protecting your back. Fill the bath with water, it should be 37 - 38 degrees. Test with your elbow if you do not have a thermometer it should not feel too hot or too cold.
Remove clothes and nappy, pick baby up and slide your left (right if you are left handed) under baby's head and gently hold onto baby's left arm. By doing this there is no way that your hands could slip and baby's head could accidently go under the water. Gently place baby into the bath, wet a flannel and place it over baby's tummy to keep them warm. Use your fingers to gently clean baby and make sure you slide your fingers through all of their creases and in between fingers and toes, its amazing how much fluff they get in there! Do not use any soap or products, its not needed and their skin is too sensitive for them at this stage. Make sure you clean the neck area well, milk can often end up under the chin and will create a sore if not cleaned properly. Once baby is clean take baby out, wrap them up in a towel but leave the head free. Now gently wash baby's head and face separately being super careful around the fontanelle area. I suggest to do it this way as baby's loose a lot of heat from their heads so it is best to limit the time that it is wet as much as possible. Once finished wrap baby's head up in the towel as soon as possible.
When drying baby my suggestion is to use a muslin to dry all of their creases, you can get into the creases a lot easier with a muslin and they are more gentle than a towel. Again pay special attention to the neck, baby's generally do not like this area being washed or dried but its an area that needs special attention. Once fully dry put on nappy and get them dressed.
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