Between the bubbles, splashing, coos and giggles — bathtime may quickly become your favorite time of day. Follow our simple step-by-step guide to learn the basics or some new tips. Baths can not only relax your baby, but they can also give you a chance to bond and play after a hectic day. And like baby massage, a warm bath can be an excellent way to help prepare your baby for bed.

Water as a cleanser doesn't remove the fat-soluble impurities left behind under diapers and clothes, and if they remain, they can cause the delicate skin barrier* to break down. And water alone can actually dry your baby’s skin. Repeated use of water only, especially when hard or chlorinated, has been shown to cause moisture loss from the skin cells, which can leave baby skin irritated or red.

Bathing Your Newborn

Most healthcare professionals recommend bathing newborns 2 or 3 times per week, increasing the frequency as your baby gets older. Even though you may not give your baby a bath every day, a sponge bath is an alternative many moms choose for their very young babies.Bathing your newborn for the first time can be scary, but exciting things are happening that go beyond just getting clean! HappyMom.Life will be showing you this first hardship step-by-step as bellows:

1.Start with only a few inches of warm water. Baby’s bath water should be between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. After filling the basin or tub, be sure to swirl the water with your hands so there are no hot spots.

2.Before you put your baby in the bath water, test the water’s temperature on the inside of your wrist to make sure it is not too hot. NOTE: Be sure that your home’s hot water heater is set no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to help protect against accidental scalding.

3.Using one arm to gently support your baby's back, head and neck, gently place her in the baby bath. Continue to support her using one arm while bathing her with the other.

4.Gently cleanse around your baby's eyes with a cotton pad dampened with clean, warm water. Use a new cotton pad for each eye and always wipe from the inside corner of the eye outward. Then, using a soft washcloth, wipe around your baby's mouth, nose and whole face, working from the middle outward. Wipe the creases in her neck and don't forget behind her ears!

5.For younger babies, wet a baby washcloth with warm water and use a gentle cleanser formulated for babies. If your baby has more hair, you might try a gentle shampoo,. Don’t be afraid to gently wash the soft spots (called fontanels) on your baby's head.

6.Wash the diaper area last. For a baby girl, cleanse the genital area washing from front to back. For boys, gently wash the penis and genital area, also washing from front to back, and dry thoroughly. For an uncircumcised boy, avoid pulling back the foreskin.

7.Let your baby take a few moments in the bath to enjoy the warm water. Pour cupfuls of water over her body to keep her warm. Be mindful of running water directly from the tap as water temperature can sometimes change suddenly.

8.Wrap both hands around your baby's chest under her arms, support her head, and lift her out of the bath and quickly wrap her in a towel.

9.Dry your baby well in all the creases, as excessive moisture could lead to skin irritation. Pat skin to avoid skin damage.

10.Before dressing her, apply a gentle baby moisturizer, which is clinically proven to be gentle and mild.

Baby Bathing Tips

• Clean only what you can see; avoid putting anything deep into your baby's ear canal or nose

• Every baby is different, but some don’t like to be bathed too soon after feeding. Many moms find it’s best to bathe baby before she eats

• And remember, NEVER leave baby alone in the bath

A bath is a perfect way to create separation between "busy time" and "sleep time", while giving you the chance to bond with your baby. Even tough days can feel a little easier when you end the night by wrapping your beautiful clean baby, snug and cozy, in her blanket — just in time for a lullaby.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

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