Too much bathing may dry the baby's skin, so until your baby is crawling around and getting into messes bathing your child once a week is probably sufficient. Thoroughly clean the diaper area of course, every time you change the baby's diaper. Wash his hands and face frequently just with a warm wash cloth.

Sponge baths are recommended for babies during their first two weeks. It's best to clean the baby gently with a damp cloth and mild lukewarm soapy water. While giving a sponge bath, the baby can be kept in a towel, exposing only those parts that are being cleansed. Try and avoid using soap on the baby's face. Don't forget to swab his upper eyelids (from the inner part of the eye outward) and the outer parts of his ears with a damp cotton ball.

Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. A child can get third-degree burns in less than a minute at 140 degrees.

After 2 -- 4 weeks or so, (after the umbilical cord falls off and a boy's circumcision heals), your baby is ready for his first bath. Fill a basin with lukewarm water. Always turn the faucet to cold before turning off, that way if there is a drip, it won't be hot. Make sure that everything you need is within reach before you get started. Undress the baby and gently help him to sit down in the basin while holding him constantly. Putting the baby in water is very possible going to stimulate the baby to pee so be especially careful if your baby is a boy, or you might get sprayed! See to it that his head and upper body is well above the water level. Then gently clean with a damp cloth. You can pour water over his body using a small cup. Don't use soap in the genital area. It could cause burning. When to Shampoo his hair with baby shampoo depends. If greasy looking, wash it, if not, then leave it be. When washing the hair, make sure not to get shampoo in his eyes. If it does, don't panic. Just wipe them with a clean damp cloth. Gently rub shampoo into the hair and let it sit for a couple of minutes before rinsing.

When you bathe your newborn, you may find it a little scary at first. Handling a wiggling, wet, and soapy little creature takes practice and confidence, so stay calm and maintain a good grip on him and support his head. Some babies find the warm water very soothing. If this is the case with your child, let him linger. Make this a fun, playtime and you will both enjoy and look forward to this time together. Play games, let him splash. Talk and sing with him. Let him play with a toy as a distraction while you wash him.

Others cry through the whole bath, at least until they get used to it. That's when you'll want to get him in and out as quickly as possible. Keeping the bathing room and the water warm can help. As children get older they usually come to love bath time.

Never put your baby in the tub or basin while the water is still running. It can be scary for him, but also, if the water temperature should change for some reason you could burn him with hot or shock him with cold.

Never leave your baby even for a second. If you have forgotten something or need to answer the phone, wrap the baby in a towel and take him with you. When the bath is over, wrap baby up in a hooded towel and transfer to diaper and clothing as soon as fully dry.

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