Sponge baths

For the first week or so, until your baby's umbilical cord stump falls off and the area heals, it's best to stick to sponge baths with a lukewarm, moistened washcloth. Wash his face and hands frequently, and thoroughly clean his genital area after each diaper change.

Tub baths

After the umbilical cord stump dries up, falls off, and the area heals, you can start giving your newborn tub baths. While a baby is tiny, it makes the most sense to use the kitchen sink or a small plastic baby tub instead of a standard tub. Although some parents bathe their babies every day for the sheer pleasure of it, until a baby is crawling around and getting into messes, a bath isn't really necessary more than once or twice a week. When you do bathe your newborn, you may find it a little scary at first. Handling a wiggling, wet, and soapy little creature takes practice and confidence, so stay calm and maintain a good grip on him. Some babies find the warm water very soothing. If this is the case with your baby, let him linger. Others cry through the whole bath -- that's when you'll want to get him in and out. Keeping the bathing room warm can help.

Bath safety

• Never leave your baby unsupervised, even for a minute. If the doorbell or phone rings and you feel you must answer it, scoop him up in a towel and take him with you.
• Never put your baby into a tub when the water is still running (the water temperature could change or the depth could become too high).
• Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. A child can get third-degree burns in less than a minute at 140 degrees.
• Never leave your child unattended. (Yes, it's so important we listed it twice). A child can drown in less than an inch of water -- and in less than 60 seconds.

How to give your baby a bath

1. Gather all necessary bath supplies, and lay out a towel, a clean diaper, and clothes.
2. Fill the tub with 2 to 3 inches of water that feels warm but not hot, about 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius).
3. Bring your baby to the bath area and undress him completely. (TIP: If your baby cries through every bath, leave the diaper on at first. It can give him an increased sense of security in the water.)
4. Gradually slip your baby into the tub feet first, using one hand to support his neck and head. Pour cupfuls of bath water over him regularly during the bath so he doesn't get too cold.
5. Use mild soap and use it sparingly (too much dries out your baby's skin), as you wash him with your hand or a washcloth from top to bottom, front and back. Wash his scalp with a wet, soapy cloth. Use moistened cotton balls (no soap) to clean his eyes and face. If dried mucus has collected in the corners of your baby's nostrils or eyes, dab it several times to soften it before you wipe it out. As for your baby's genitals, a routine washing is all that's needed.
6. Rinse your baby thoroughly with cupfuls of water and wipe him down with a clean washcloth. Then lift him out of the tub with one hand supporting his neck and head and the other hand supporting his bottom, with your fingers around one thigh (babies are slippery when wet).
7. Wrap your baby in a hooded towel and pat him dry. (If his skin is still peeling from birth, you can apply a mild baby lotion after his bath, but this is generally dead skin that needs to come off anyway, not dry skin.) Then diaper him, dress him, and give him a kiss on his sweet-smelling head.

Childproofing your bathroom

Like the kitchen, the bathroom can be a hazardous place for your child. The following tips should help keep him safe and out of mischief:

• Install a hook-and-eye lock high on the door and keep it latched when you're not using the bathroom.
• Install toilet locks -- these prevent young children from lifting the toilet lid. Small children are uncoordinated and extremely top heavy. So when they lean over to peer into a toilet bowl, they can easily lose their balance, fall headfirst, and drown in as little as an inch of water.
• Remove sharp utensils and appliances from the bathroom. Razors, scissors, and blow dryers are better kept in an adult's bedroom or high up in a linen closet well out of a child's reach.
• Don't keep anything plugged in near the bathtub. Water conducts electricity, so if a hair dryer falls in while you're giving your child a bath, it could electrocute you both.
• Keep all medications -- including antacids, iron pills, cosmetics, and mouthwash (which has more alcohol than wine does) -- safely out of reach.
• Set hot water heaters no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. A lower water temperature helps ensure safe bathing by reducing the chance of scalding (it takes just three seconds for a child to get a serious burn).
• Place a nonslip mat in the bathtub to prevent falls.
• Put a rubberized guard over the spout to protect your child's head.
• Don't ever leave your child alone in the bathtub, even for a moment. If the doorbell rings, scoop him up in a towel and take him with you. Bring the portable phone into the bathroom if you feel you can't miss a call.
• Teach your child to stay seated in the tub at all times -- you'll have to repeat this message many times before it sticks.

How to bathe your baby

How often should I bathe my baby?

Although some parents bathe their babies every day, until yours is crawling around and getting into messes, a bath isn't really necessary more than once or twice a week. (Just wash his face frequently and thoroughly clean his genital area after each diaper change.) When you do bathe him, you may find it a little scary to handle your wiggly little one when he's all soapy and slippery, so keep a good grip. Most babies find the warm water very soothing.

Where should I bathe my baby?

Instead of using a standard bathtub, which requires you to kneel or lean awkwardly over your baby and gives you less control over his movements, it makes sense to use the kitchen sink or a small plastic baby tub.

What's the best way to give my baby a bath?

Here's how to do it and what you'll need to make baby-bathing easy. With any luck, his bath will become one of the most enjoyable parts of your days together:

1. Assemble all necessary bath accessories.
2. Fill the tub with 2 to 3 inches of water that feels warm but not hot, about 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius).
3. Bring your baby to the bath area and undress him completely.
4. Gradually slip your baby into the tub, using one hand to support his neck and head. Pour cupfuls of bath water over him regularly during the bath so he doesn't get too cold.
5. Use soap sparingly (it dries your baby's skin) as you wash him with your hand or a washcloth from top to bottom, front to back. Wash his scalp with a wet, soapy cloth. Use a moistened cotton ball to clean his eyes and face. As for your baby's genitals, a routine washing is all that is needed. If dried mucus has collected in the corner of your baby's nostrils or eyes, dab it several times with a small section of a moistened washcloth to soften it before you wipe it out.
6. Rinse your baby thoroughly with a clean washcloth.
7. Wrap your baby in a hooded towel and pat him dry. If his skin is dry, or if he has a bit of diaper rash, you may want to apply a mild lotion after his bath.

The lowdown on baby bathtubs

Rub a dub dub -- ready for the tub? Maybe not. Until your baby can sit up on his own and move on to a bath seat, usually at around six months, bathing him in an adult-sized tub can be more trouble than it's worth (dangerous, too -- your baby could bonk his head on a hard surface or even drown if he slips out of your grasp; meanwhile your back won't appreciate all the leaning over). In the meantime, keep your new baby clean by bathing him in an infant bath, a plastic tub designed to make washing a wee body a safe and even fun experience.

Most infant tubs are contoured for comfort and lined with a soft sponge interior. One end is elevated so that when you lay your baby in the tub the water pools around his bottom, not his head. In addition to saving your back (baby tubs are designed for use in kitchen and other big sinks), baby bathtubs make it easier for you to handle a slippery, squirming infant by essentially holding him safely in place.

There are many models to choose from, but this is one baby product decision you don't have to lose sleep over. If it holds water, you're in business. Of course, that hasn't prevented manufacturers from coming up with a multitude of designs and value-added features. The following options may make bathing your baby a little easier.

What to look for when buying one

• A smooth, rounded lip to make carrying easy
• Thick, sturdy plastic that won't buckle from your baby's weight or the weight of the water
• A padded, slip-resistant seat at an angle comfortable for a small baby
• A small indented section at one end for holding soap, washcloths, and shampoo
• A plug at the base of the tub for easy draining
• Collapsibility, for storage in tight quarters

What it's going to cost you

 Most baby bathtubs cost between $15 and $30.