Bath time with your newborn baby is one of the best ways to bond with them. As a new parent, it’s also a big learning curve that teaches you what your little one responds to and how to make their bath time that’s best suited to them. Naturally, you may have quite a few questions swarming in your mind. But we’re here to quell your heebie-jeebies. So, read on to know how to give a newborn a sponge bath.

Baby’s skin is delicate so it’s imperative to maintain their skin health. One way to do that is bathing them a maximum of three days per week. Because, that’s all they need. Excessive bathing can make their skin irritated, causing dryness or even rashes.

A sponge bath makes it easier to clean newborn babies. A delicate sponge helps give you control without adding too much pressure. It’s also a gentle way to cleanse different regions of a baby. It’s one of the best ways to give your baby an overall rinse the first few weeks after they’re born.

A soft, skin-friendly baby bath sponge is the best way to go. There are different types of baby bath sponges you can choose from. There’s the conventional soft foam sponge that absorbs water which turns the material super soft that’s great for baby skin. Wring out the excess water and you can give your baby a quick rinse. Some other alternatives are sponges made out of bamboo material or terry cloth. These sponges are relatively smaller so you can opt for these to thoroughly clean hard-to-reach areas that an otherwise big sponge can’t reach like armpits and nether regions. Keep in mind, when you’re readying the baby for a bath, always wet the sponge beforehand so that by the time you bring in the baby, the sponge is soft and easy on your baby’s skin. Now that you’ve got the basics down, let’s talk about some more things to keep in mind.

Your baby’s skin is 20-30% thinner than yours. Therefore, it is really important to check the water temperature before you ready the baby for a bath. The ideal water temperature should be 97° F (between 37° C to 38° C). You can always dip your hand or elbow into the water to check.Use a sink, bath or a tub. Do not use a sprinkler or shower as the water pressure could be too much. Keep aside an additional amount of water of the same temperature in case you need it.

Make sure the environment is warm so that the baby doesn’t feel too cold quickly. Ensure you have everything you need – towels, sponge, baby wash, extra water if needed. Make sure to have a free hand to easily hold the baby. If you want to make things easier, you can even use a safety strap.

You need not do this every bath time. Using a baby wash for one of the bath times can ensure that you’re giving your baby a proper cleanse. You can either dispense a pea-sized amount on the sponge or simply mix a drop at the time of drawing the bath water. Use a body wash like Baby Dove’s Baby Wash. It’s free of parabens, sulphates and dyes and is pH neutral, making it the perfect gentle body cleanser for you baby. Its unique formulation is made with 100% skin-natural nutrients and it helps in retaining the moisture in baby’s skin.