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Caring for a New Baby The simple tasks of keeping a baby warm, clothed and clean can seem an intimidating ordeal to new parents, but practice makes perfect and even the scary bits will soon become second nature. Top Tips for keeping babies clean and warm

Top and tail baby every day Use plain water. The use of cleansers and lotions is not recommended for babies under 4 weeks

Clean around baby’s cord with cotton wool and water every day If baby has dry peeling skin in the first few weeks this is natural and will usually sort itself out, do not use any oils or lotions without consulting a midwife or health visitor

Change baby’s nappy before a feed and whenever it is dirty Dress baby in fresh clothes at least once a day Make sure that the room is warm and there are no drafts when washing and dressing a baby

Copyright Wise Nanny 2020

For a baby’s first baths, always use purpose designed baby bath or shallow plastic container like a washing up bowl and always support baby’s head

Topping and tailing Prepare a bowl of warm water, a towel, cotton wool, a fresh nappy and, if necessary, clean clothes.

Lay the baby on a changing mat. Take off all their clothes, apart from their vest and nappy, and wrap them in a towel

Dip the cotton wool in the water and squeeze it out well. wipe gently around baby's eyes from the nose outward, use a fresh piece of cotton wool for each eye. This is to prevent the transfer of any stickiness or infection from one eye to the other

Use a fresh piece of cotton wool to clean around baby's ears, but not inside them. Never use cotton buds to clean inside a baby's ears. Wash the rest of baby's face and neck, lift up their chin to make sure no neck folds are missed. Wash baby’s hands in the same way and dry them gently all over with the towel

Now take off the nappy and wash baby's bottom and genital area with fresh cotton wool and warm water. For girls wipe from front to back and away from the vaginal area. Dry very carefully, including between the skin folds, and put on a clean nappy  

Talk to a baby while washing them, it will help them stay relaxed and the more they hear familiar voices, the more they'll get used to listening and get to know their parents

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Bathing a Baby

Choose a time when baby can relax and enjoy bath time. It's best not to bath baby straight after a feed or when they're hungry or tired

Make sure the room where baby is being bathed is warm Have everything needed at hand: a baby bath on the floor filled with warm water, two towels, a clean nappy, clean clothes and cotton wool

The water should be warm, not hot. Use a bath thermometer or check it with wrist or elbow and mix water well so there are no hot patches

Top and tail baby before their bath Lay the towel out ready Lower baby gently into the bowl or bath using one hand to hold their upper arm and support their head and shoulders.

Don't add any liquid cleansers to the bath water. Plain water is best for baby's skin in the first month

Keep baby's head clear of the water. Use the other hand to gently swish the water over their body without splashing

Gently rub baby’s head over with a soft damp cloth or cotton wool Hold on tightly to baby at all times Lift baby out and pat them dry, paying special attention to the creases in their skin

Dressing

The priority when dressing a baby is that they are warm (although not too warm) and comfortable.

Choose clothing with soft natural fabrics next to their skin to minimise irritation and allow skin to breath

Using front or side fastening vests and sleep suits will make the dressing process much simpler

All in one outfits without a waist are more comfortable for babies Use several light layers rather than one thick one As a rule of thumb put one more layer on a baby than you need yourself

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Routines Finding routines is one way that parents will begin to feel back in control and will help baby settle into life. Make sure these routines fit in with family lifestyle as well as baby’s. First steps

Try to keep bath time and bedtime at a similar time each day To begin with fitting around baby’s patterns of sleep and waking will keep things simple. For example take a shower when baby has a morning sleep. If they are wakeful in the afternoon go out for a walk or do some shopping

When the baby has periods of being awake spend some time playing with them so that they are stimulated, this will help them sleep longer

If there are family routines that can’t be changed help baby to adapt and fit round them. For example if a partner needs to be dropped at the station early every morning, try to make get baby fed before leaving, but to start with don’t bother dressing or washing them

Make sure fresh air is part of baby’s daily routine; go for a walk everyday parents and babies will benefit

Be flexible and don’t make routines too rigid. If parents expect to need to go out when baby is asleep, put them to sleep in their pram rather than their bed, so they are ready to roll

Don’t forget to factor in meal times for parents too, if baby is awake, bring them next to the table in their Moses basket or bouncer to join in the social occasion