- Fill a sink or basin with lukewarm water, testing the water’s temperature with your wrist.
- Wet baby bath sponge and squeeze until suds appear.
- Using the sponge, gently clean your baby’s face, carefully wiping away any crustiness in the corner of her eyes and around her nose.
- Rewet sponge and gently clean the rest of your baby’s body.
- Try to keep your baby covered as best as you can, only uncovering the body part being cleaned.
- Remove your baby’s diaper and gently wash from front to back cleaning all folds and crevices.
- For your baby’s umbilical chord, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and gently swab around its base
- For your baby’s hair, tuck your arm under her back, while supporting her head and neck with your hand. With your other hand, gently caress your baby’s head with the soap filled sponge, then rinse by pouring warm water from a cup.
- Gently dry your baby and get her dressed. The warmth of the bath and massaging elements of the sponge will naturally induce sleep.