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Keep baby’s bath supplies together in a tray or basket so you won’t have to search for them at bath time. You won’t need special toiletries, any good, mild and unscented soap will do. A castile-based soap meets these requirements. Liquid soaps are good to use and you will find that some soaps are less drying than others such as soap-free liquid products; trial and error will establish your preference.
Some parents like to apply baby oil, creams, lotions, or powder to the baby after bathing, but none of these are really necessary. If you use any of them, do so sparingly, as excessive use of oils may clog the baby’s pores and shaking on powder lavishly may infiltrate the baby’s lungs.
When preparing the bath make sure to test the temperature of the water on the inside of your wrist; it should be comfortably warm, not hot. Whether you’re giving the baby a sponge or tub bath, use your hands or a soft cloth and gentle soap.
Some parents like to start with the face and work in a head-to-toe fashion; others leave the face for last, because some babies don’t like face washing and may protest vigorously. In either case, wash the face carefully, trying not to get soap in the eyes.
Cleanse the baby’s head about three times a week and rinse with clear water at other times. Work from the front of the head to the back, so that shampoo or soap doesn’t get into the eyes. Scrub well, using the tips of the fingers (not the fingernails) and rinse thoroughly. Clean only the outer areas of the ears, using a soft cloth or moist cotton. Don’t use a cotton-tipped stick and don’t wash the inside of either nose or ears.