Getting everything ready:

• Right timing: you can bath your baby at any time but it is a good idea to get your baby into a routine from the start. Don’t bath your baby straight after a feed as he may feel uncomfortable and vomit. Bath time should be uninterrupted – take the phone off the hook and don’t answer the door.

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  Make sure that the room is warm and draught-free.
• Be well prepared: get everything you need ready and fill the bath or tub with water. Test the temperature of the water with your elbow or a bath thermometer.
• Wrap your baby in a towel.

Ready, set, go - cleaning the face:

• Clean the eye area: use cotton wool and warm water to clean the eyes. Use a separate piece for each eye. Wipe from the inside corner of the eyes, outwards.
• Clean the rest of the face with cotton wool and warm water.
• Don’t neglect the creases in the neck and behind the ears.

Washing the hair:

• Hold your baby at the nape of the neck and support his body with your arm.
• Apply shampoo to wet hair and massage.
• Rinse well.
• Lay baby down and towel-dry hair.

Washing the body:

• Remove the nappy. If the nappy is soiled, clean the bottom with cotton wool and water.
• If you are using liquid soap, place baby on a flat surface and apply soap to the whole body.
• Place your baby in the bath. Let his head rest on your arm and always hold the one upper arm with your one hand. With your free hand, rinse the soap. The umbilical cord can get wet.

Drying:

• Wrap your baby in a towel, lift him onto your shoulder or place him on a changing mat and gently dry him.
• Take special care to dry properly between creases, especially around the neck – but don’t take too long!
• Clean the base of the umbilical cord with cotton wool dipped in surgical spirits.
• It is not advisable to use baby powder but if you want to, always shake a little powder into your hand and then apply. If you shake out clouds of powder there is a risk of your baby inhaling the powder.

You don’t have to bath your baby every day. You can also “top and tail” – clean the face and bottom.

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