BATHING

Your infant doesn't need much bathing if you wash the diaper area thoroughly during changes. 2 or 3 times a week during her first year is plenty. If she is bathed more frequently, it may dry out the skin.

During the first week or two, until the stump of the umbilical cord falls off, your newborn should have only sponge baths. In a warm room, lay the baby anywhere that's flat and comfortable for both of you - changing table, bed, floor, or counter next to the sink will do. Pad hard surfaces with a blanket of fluffy towel. If baby is on a surface above the floor, use a safety strap or keep one hand on her at all times to make sure she doesn't fall.

Have a basin of water, a damp, double-rinsed (so there is no soap residue in it) washcloth, and a supply of mild baby soap within reach before you begin. Keep your baby wrapped in a towel, and expose only the parts of her body you are actively washing. Use the dampened cloth first without soap to wash her face, so you don't get soap into her eyes or mouth.

Then dip it in the basin of soapy water before washing the remainder of her body and, finally, the diaper area. Pay special attention to creases under the arms, behind the ears, around the neck, and especially with a girl, in the genital area.

Once the umbilical area is healed, you can try placing your baby directly in the water. Her first bath should be as gentle and brief as possible. She will probably protest a little; if she seems miserable, you should go back to sponge baths for week or two, then try the bath again. She will make it clear when she's ready.

Most parents find it easiest to bathe a newborn in a bathinette, sink, or plastic tub lined with a clean towel. Fill the basin with two inches of water that feels warm - not hot to the inside of your wrist or elbow. If you're filling the basin from the tap, turn the cold water on first (and off last) to avoid scalding yourself or your child. In addition, make sure your hot water is set no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Make sure that supplies are at hand and the room is warm before undressing the baby. You'll need the same supplies that you used for sponge bathing, but also a cup for raising with clear water. When your infant has hair, you'll need baby shampoo, too.

If you've forgotten something or need to answer the phone or door during the bath, you must take take the baby with you, so keep a dry towel within reach. Never leave a baby alone in the bath, even for an instant.

If your baby enjoy her bath, give her some extra time to splash and explore the water. The more fun your child has in the bath, the less she'll be afraid of the water. As she gets older, the length of the bath will extend until most of it is taken up with play. Bathing should be very relaxing and soothing experience, so don't rush unless she's unhappy.

When your infant comes out of the bath, baby towels with the built-in hoods are the most effective way to keep her head warm she's wet. Bathing a baby of any age is wet work, so you may want to wear a terry-cloth apron or hang a towel bath over your shoulder to keep you dry.

In the early months you may find the easiest to bathe your infant in the morning, When she's alert and the house is quite and warm. By the time she graduates to the bathtub (usually to shift when she's sitting up or outgrows the basin), you may want to shift to evening schedule on the days she' bathed. The bath is relaxing way to prepare her for sleep.

Bath toys are not really needed for every young babies, as the stimulation of the water and washing is exciting enough. Once a baby is old enough for the bathtub  however, toys become invaluable. Containers, floating toys, even waterproof books make wonderful distraction as you cleanse your baby.