1. BATHING THE BABY
A daily bath is not necessary for baby, but if you live in a
warm place, you may have to bath the baby once a day to
keep him/her comfortable.
Types of Bath for a Newborn
1. Sponge Bath ► This is the first bath given to a baby
until the baby’s navel or circumcision is healed.
2. Oil Bath ► This is recommended under certain
conditions when the baby has dry or irritated skin.
3. Tub Bath ► This is given as soon as the baby’s
navel or circumcision is healed.

2. Reasons for Bathing the Baby
1. It helps prevent infections and other skin
diseases.
2. It keeps the baby healthy and clean.
3. It is relaxing and refreshing for the baby.
4. It is a form of interaction for the parent/s
and the baby.

3. STEPS IN BATHING THE BABY
1. Prepare the following
materials: 2. Pour warm water into
 Bath soap the large basin. Test the
 large basin temperature of the water
 large towel
with your elbow.
 cotton buds
 diaper 3. Undress the baby and
 diaper liner wrap him/her in the towel.
 baby clothes

4. 4. Dip the small cotton 6. Soap the head using
balls in the water. either your palm or a
Squeeze out water and washcloth.
use these to clear the
eyes, nose, and earlobes 7. Soap gently from front to
of the baby. Use separate back with a circular
cotton balls for each eye motion.
and earlobe as well as the
nose. 8. Rinse the head. Dry it
gently.
9. Soap the rest of baby’s
5. Wash the face using soft
body starting from neck
washcloth dipped in
clean warm water. down. Rinse.

5. 10. Lay the Dressing the Baby
baby on a
towel and Baby’s clothes should be simple, soft,
pat dry. and comfortable. They should give
freedom to allow the arms to move
about. Seams of baby clothes must be
11. Clean the flat and smooth so as not to irritate
genitals the baby’s delicate skin.
with cotton
wads
dipped in To put baby’s shirt, insert your
clean finger in one of the sleeves and guide
water. his/her hands through it. His/her shirt
goes on one arm at a time. Smooth the
shirt under his/her back by rolling the
12. Dress baby on his/her side. Fasten the shirt,
the baby. and then fold it up in the back so that
it does not reach below hip line.

6. PUTTING THE DIAPER
Hold the baby’s ankle between your thumb
and middle finger, with your index finger
between the ankles; raise them high enough to
slide a clean folded diaper underneath. Pull the
diaper up between the legs, with extra thickness
in the back for girls and in front for the boys.
With the back overlapping the front, pin the
diaper on each side. Be careful to keep your
finger next to the baby to avoid pricking the
baby.

7. HOW TO PUT ON A FABRIC DIAPER
1. Slide the diaper under so that the baby’s
waist aligns with the top edge. Bring the diaper
between the baby’s legs. Hold it in place and
fold first one side, then the other, over the
central panel.
2. Secure the diaper for a small baby with
one pin on the middle; use two sides pins for
bigger babies. Keep your fingers between the
diaper and the skin when inserting a pin.

8. HOW TO PUT ON A DISPOSABLE DIAPER
Disposable diapers are increasingly sophisticated in design. They
come in a range of sizes with different features. More efficient leg
elastically ensures a good fit with less chance of leaks.
Boys and girls have different needs as far as diapers are
concerned and disposables are now available with extra padding
strategically placed where it is most need—at the front for boys
and in the center for girls.
1. Open out the diaper with the
adhesive tabs at the top. Lift the 2. Bring the front up between
baby’s leg and slide the diaper the baby’s legs and smooth the
under so that the top aligns with sides of the diaper round the
the baby’s waist. baby’s tummy so that they tuck
under neatly.
3. Unpeel the adhesive tabs and pull them
firmly over the front flap to secure the
diaper. They should be quite taut.