How to bathe a newborn, cut nails and clean ears, eyes and genitals

Wait at least 24 hours after birth before the first bath. After that, a short bath in warm water 2 or 3 times a week is plenty, with daily cleaning of the face, neck folds and nappy area. Plain water is enough for most of the body. Never put anything inside the ears or nose, and never leave your baby alone in water, even for a moment.

When should a newborn have the first bath?

Wait at least 24 hours after birth. The World Health Organization recommends this for healthy term babies.¹

A newborn loses heat fast. In a review of 16 studies, delaying the bath beyond 6 hours lowered the risk of low body temperature and low blood sugar, and more babies were exclusively breastfed at discharge.² Waiting 24 hours may lower the risk of low temperature further.² The white creamy coating on the skin (vernix) protects and moisturises. Let it soak in. A dry towel at birth is enough.³

How often should I bathe my baby?

Two or three times a week is enough for a newborn. You can bathe more often if your baby enjoys it, or if your family prefers a daily bath.³

On non-bath days, "top and tail" instead: wipe the face, neck, hands and nappy area with cotton wool and warm water.⁴ In the Kolkata summer, when babies sweat in the neck and skin folds, a daily quick bath is fine. Keep a newborn bath short, about 5 to 10 minutes.³

Can I bathe my baby before the cord falls off?

Yes. Bathing before the cord stump falls off does not cause harm.³

In a trial of 102 newborns, babies bathed in a tub lost less body heat and were calmer than babies given a sponge bath, and the cord healed just as well.⁵ After the bath, pat the stump dry and keep the nappy folded below it. The WHO advises keeping the cord clean and dry.¹ Do not put oil, powder, ash or turmeric on it.

How warm should the bath water be?

About 37 degrees C, close to body temperature.³ It should feel warm, not hot, on your wrist or elbow.

Put cold water in first, then add hot, and mix well so there are no hot spots.⁴ A bath thermometer costs little and takes the guesswork away. Fill only about 5 cm, to the level of your baby's hips.³ Keep the room warm, around 21 to 24 degrees C.³ In winter, switch off the fan and close the windows first. In summer, avoid bathing right under a running AC.

How do I bathe my newborn, step by step?

Get everything ready before you undress your baby, then keep one hand on your baby the whole time.

• Pick a calm, alert moment, not straight after a feed or when hungry or tired⁴
• Lay out 2 towels, a clean nappy, clothes and cotton wool
• Wash the face first with plain water, then the hair, holding your baby over the tub
• Clean the nappy area before your baby goes into the water³
• Lower your baby in slowly, supporting the head and shoulders on your forearm
• Splash water gently over the body, then lift out and pat dry, including all skin folds⁴

Stay with your baby for every second of the bath, and do not let older children do the bathing.^4,3

Do I need soap or baby shampoo?

No, not for a newborn. Plain water is enough, and a mild liquid cleanser made for babies is also fine.³

Ordinary bar soap is harsh and drying. Avoid products with strong detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate.³ If you use a baby wash, use a small amount on the nappy area and skin folds and rinse it off well. Bubble baths and perfumed products are best avoided.

How do I clean my baby's eyes?

Use cotton wool dipped in clean warm water. Wipe from the inner corner by the nose out to the side, using a fresh piece for each eye.⁴

A fresh piece for each eye stops any stickiness or infection spreading from one eye to the other. Do not use breast milk, kajal or surma in the eyes. A little sticky discharge is common in the first weeks. Red, swollen eyelids or thick pus need a doctor.

Should I clean my baby's ears with cotton buds?

No. Clean only the outer ear and behind the ear with a cloth or cotton wool. Never put cotton buds inside your baby's ear.⁴

Earwax protects the ear and normally falls out on its own.⁶ Cotton buds push wax deeper. They also cause injuries. In the United States, about 263,000 children were treated in emergency departments for cotton bud ear injuries over 21 years, and young children under 4 had the highest rate.⁷ A quarter of those injuries were holes in the eardrum.⁷ Never pour oil into a baby's ear.

How do I cut my baby's nails?

Use small baby nail clippers, baby scissors with rounded tips, or a soft nail file. The easiest time is during sleep or just after a bath, when nails are soft.

Press the finger pad away from the nail and follow the curve of the fingertip. Cut toenails straight across. File any sharp corners. Newborn nails are thin and grow fast, so you may need to trim fingernails once or twice a week. If you nick the skin, press with clean cotton until it stops. Please do not bite your baby's nails. Mouth germs can infect the skin.

How do I clean a baby girl?

Wipe from front to back, from the vagina towards the bottom.⁸ Dr Dutta suggests a fresh piece of cotton wool or wipe for each stroke.

This stops stool germs reaching the vagina and urine opening. Clean the outer folds gently. You do not need to clean inside the folds deeply. A little white mucus there is normal in the first weeks and need not be scrubbed away.

How do I clean a baby boy?

Clean around the penis and testicles with water. Do not pull back the foreskin.⁸

In most baby boys, the foreskin is stuck to the head of the penis and loosens by itself over years. Forcing it back can cause pain, tears and scarring. If your son has been circumcised, follow the care your surgeon gives you until it heals.

What is cradle cap and how do I remove it?

Cradle cap is greasy, yellow or white scaly patches on the scalp. It is harmless, is not itchy, and usually clears by itself within a few months.^9,10

To loosen the scales, gently rub in a little emollient or coconut oil, brush softly with a baby brush, then wash with a mild baby shampoo.⁹ Do not pick or scratch the scales. A Cochrane review found the evidence for medicated treatments is weak, so time and gentle care are the mainstay.¹⁰ See a doctor if the skin is red and weepy, spreads widely, or your baby seems itchy.

Is talcum powder safe for babies?

No. Do not use talcum powder on your baby.

Babies can breathe in powder from a shaken tin, and this can seriously damage the lungs.¹¹ In a trial in older babies, powder was also worse than zinc oxide cream at preventing nappy rash.¹² If skin folds get sweaty in the heat, wash and pat them dry instead.

Should I put oil or cream on my baby after the bath?

Healthy newborn skin does not need routine creams. The WHO does not recommend routine emollients to prevent skin problems in healthy term babies.¹

If the skin looks dry or is peeling, a little plain baby oil or a fragrance-free baby moisturiser is fine.³ A gentle massage can be pleasant for you both, and the WHO says it may be considered for healthy term babies.¹ If you add oil to the bath, the European skin care panel advises putting a mat in the tub.³

How do I make bath time calm for my baby?

Keep the room warm, the water at the right temperature, and your baby wrapped until the last moment. Babies cry in the bath mostly because they feel cold or exposed.

Try a warm washcloth over the tummy while you wash.³ Talk or sing. Some families find an evening bath becomes a helpful part of the bedtime routine.³ If your baby screams every time, top and tail for a few days, then try again.

When should I see a doctor?

See a doctor or go to hospital if: - The cord stump is red around the base, smells bad, or oozes pus - Your baby has a temperature above 37.5 degrees C or below 35.5 degrees C¹ - There is pus or thick discharge from the eyes, or swollen eyelids - There is discharge, blood or a bad smell from the ear - The skin breaks out in blisters, weeping patches or a rash that spreads - Your baby is not feeding well, or breathes faster than 60 times a minute¹ - Your baby is very sleepy or floppy - Your baby has breathed in powder and is coughing or struggling to breathe¹¹