Tips for bathing a baby

Every baby store has a wide selection of goods and products devoted to cleaning your baby. What should you buy?

When considering whether to buy a baby bath, bear in mind that your baby will only fit in it for a few weeks, and most public health nurses recommend that you only bathe your baby twice a week during the first six weeks. So instead, why not bathe your newborn in the kitchen sink? She'll be quite safe and you won't have to bend over so awkwardly. Clean the sink thoroughly and line it with an old towel to prevent your baby from slipping. Then pull on a pair of cheap white cotton gloves so you have a good grip on your little one. If you'd prefer to bathe your baby on the floor, look in discount shops for a rectangular washing bowl — it will do just as well.

Plastic bowls, cups and spoons from the kitchen provide endless entertainment in the bath and help your baby to learn; and plastic sieves or funnels of different sizes make interesting water toys.

Be careful what you put on your baby. Adult products are often too harsh. Scented products can cause issues for sensitive baby skin. Baby oil can cause suffocation if ingested, so too can powders. Stick to tried and true baby shampoos from trusted brands and err on the simple side and generally only wash your young baby with warm water.

One of the best ways of ensuring that your baby is safe in the bath is to get in, too. You can join in the bath-time play and relax a little yourself. Always check the temperature of the bath water before you put in the baby. If it's too hot for you, it's most definitely too hot for baby! Never put baby in the bath until the tub is ready, never run the hot taps while the baby is in the tub. You probably have the perfect substitute for baby talcum powder sitting in a kitchen cupboard: cornstarch. It works just as well as baby powder to keep your baby dry, and it won't irritate her lungs if it gets inhaled — a big plus.

Bath time is fun time — make it safe time too, by following these bathing tips.