Q&A for How to Bathe an Infant

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How do I rinse the shampoo out of my baby's hair without getting it in their eyes?

Kylee Money
Parenting Consultant
Kylee Money is a Parenting Consultant and the Founder and CEO of Parenting Made Joyful. Since 2001, Kylee has worked with over 1,000 parents and families on sleep training, behavior management, potty training, and more. She is a contributing writer and board advisory member at Pampers.com, a CBS News Parent Expert, and featured on Fox and Friends and Buy Buy Baby. Kylee also speaks nationally at parenting expos on the subject of sleep training.

Kylee Money

Parenting Consultant

Expert Answer

Instead of pouring water on their head to rinse it off, get a washcloth, get it wet, wring out the water, and then wipe from their forehead to the back of their head to get the majority of the shampoo off. Then, rinse out the washcloth and repeat the same process until you get the shampoo all out of their hair so that they don't get anything in their eyes.

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Question

When should I teach my baby to bathe on its own?

Beau Gavigan

Community Answer

It will be a long while before your child can bathe independently. At about 5 or 6 you can leave them alone (staying very close by and checking constantly).Typically, when your child is uncomfortable with you seeing them naked (usually between 6 and 8) is when you can give them full privacy in the bath. In the meantime, encourage your child to participate in bath time in age appropriate ways. Between the ages of 1 and 2 is when most children begin to become interested in participating in the bathing process.

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Question

How much water should I use to bathe an infant?

Community Answer

You should use just enough water to cover the infant's bottom and legs when they're lying on their back. Too much water could pose a risk for drowning.

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Question

What should I do if my infant is fussy while I bathe her?

Community Answer

Make sure your baby is not hungry or overstimulated before bathing. Put a big towel (yours), inside the bathtub covering your baby. Keep pouring water into the towel so the towels keeps your baby warm. Only uncover the body part you're cleaning. Make sure to maintain the water temperature. Don't make the bath overly long, just long enough to clean gently.

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Question

What is the proper time of day to give a bath to a neonate?

Community Answer

If your baby is fussy at night going to sleep, then give him or her a bath at night. But don't give him/her a full bath every day.

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Question

What is a sponge bath?

Community Answer

A sponge bath is soaking a sponge in water and wiping your body.

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Question

Do I need special soap or shampoo? Or can I use my bath soap?

Community Answer

You have to use baby soap and shampoo. They are gentler on babies' sensitive skin.

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Question

What are the best times to bathe a newborn baby?

Community Answer

You can bathe the baby at any point during the day, although many people like to do it first thing in the morning.

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Question

How often should I bathe my baby?

Community Answer

It is okay to skip a day or two, but sponge bathing is good for in-between days to make sure their private parts, eyes, ears and nose are clean.

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Question

Why should you support the back?

Community Answer

Because this area is weak in a newly-developing baby, and it prevents injury.

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Question

What will happen if the bath water is too cold for the baby?

Community Answer

The baby's body reacts to low temperatures the same way as yours does, except the baby's body is more sensitive. If the water is too cold, the baby will most likely be miserable during the bath, and could possibly get sick.

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Question

How often should I bathe an infant?

Community Answer

You don't have to bathe an infant that much, especially when they are newborn. Once a week is generally fine. Just be very gentle and careful if you wash a baby. Wash them in an infant tub with a small amount of water, use only a small amount of fragrance free baby wash, and use gentle lotion or Vaseline after.

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Question

I heard that water shouldn't get into a infant's ears during a bath. Is this true?

Community Answer

Yes. When you wash a baby, DO NOT lie the child directly in the water. Try not to get water in the child's ears, if possible.

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Question

How often should I bathe a six-week-old infant?

Community Answer

Twice a week. Doing it much more than that might dry out the baby's skin.

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