Bathing Your Baby.

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

Bathing Your Baby

It is best to sponge bathe a baby until its umbilical cord has fallen off and its navel has fully healed. If the baby has been circumcised, it is best to sponge bathe him until his penis has fully healed (although it will usually heal before the cord falls off).

You will need a bowl of warm water, a soft washcloth, cotton balls, unscented, gentile soap, a soft towel, cotton swabs, rubbing alcohol, and a sponge cushion which is optional, for a proper sponge bath.

The first step in bathing an infant is, without undressing the baby, place him on a sponge cushion or changing table. Starting with the baby's head, wipe each eye with a sterile cotton ball moistened with warm water. Wipe the eye from the inside outwards. With another moistened cotton ball, wipe around the baby's ears. Follow with a damp cloth to clean around his mouth, chin, and neck.

The second step is to hold the baby's head over a bowl of water and gently wet its scalp with your other hand. Shampoo with a mild soap while massaging with your fingertips. Rinse the baby's head and pat it dry with a soft clean towel.

The third step is to remove the baby's shirt and gently wash its chest and arms, making sure you get all the creases in its skin, including those around his neck. Wipe the baby's hands and check for lint between its fingers. Again rinse the baby with clean, warm water and pat ...

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The fourth step is while supporting the baby's head, gently turn the baby on his side, and wash and rinse his back. Pat dry and dress the baby's top half.

The fifth step is while its still healing, wipe the navel with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol, cleaning it right down to the base. Avoid wetting the navel area until it has completely healed.

The final step is to remove the baby's diaper and then gently soap and rinse the genital area, buttocks, legs, and feet. Gently and thoroughly pat dry. Then diaper and dress the baby.

After the baby's umbilical cord has fallen off and fully healed it is ok to give the baby a tub bath.

What you will need to give your baby a tub bath is a portable baby tub with a sponge cushion, a table or counter top at a convenient height, a soft washcloth, soft, unscented soap, a soft towel, and baby shampoo.

Step one is to run 2 inches of water in the tub and then check the water temp. to make sure it's pleasantly warm. Extreme temps can scald, burn, or shock a baby. Undress the baby and gently lower the baby into the tub, easing his bottom in first.

Step two says to use a soft washcloth and gentle soap, start by washing your baby's face, ears, and neck, paying special attention to the folds of skin under the chin.

Step three is to shampoo the baby's head, working from front to back so that the soap doesn't get into his eyes. Scrub his scalp well, using the tips of your fingers, not your fingernails. Rinse well.

Step four is to soap up the rest of the baby's body, looking carefully for pieces of lint that tend to lodge between