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Having a newborn baby in the family can be exciting. Whether you're a first-time parent or not, it is always a parent's responsibility to know the basics of taking care of a newborn. You need to have enough patience and understanding and should be really careful when you're tending to your newborn child. 

Just like us older humans, it is essential for newborn babies to take their bath daily. It might be a little hard to bathe a newborn baby and it takes extra care to do so, but it can be mastered. 

When to give a newborn baby a bath?

Some pediatricians and doctors would recommend bathing newborn babies after they are a few days old. When they are ready, you can add a bath time routine for them. The reason why doctors and pediatricians would advise parents to not bathe the baby when they are newly born is that when a baby comes out of their mother, the baby is covered with vernix, which is a waxy substance that serves as a protection or cover for the baby against germs found in the environment. 

After labor, nurses and hospital staff will immediately clean your baby from blood and tissue. You can tell them to leave excess vernix to your baby if you want to. Once your baby is now brought home, you can give them a warm sponge bath. Always remember that the safest way to bathe a baby is when the umbilical cord falls off. When the umbilical cord is now gone, you may now put them in a shallow bath.

How to sponge bathe a baby

Once your baby is now a few days old, you may now give them a sponge bath. You may opt for a warm sponge bath for them. Before the umbilical cord falls off from your baby, a sponge bath is the simplest way for you to clean them. Sponge baths are also known to be a soothing type of bath that babies could enjoy. The warm sensation of the sponge bath relaxes the baby's system. You can always give your baby a sponge bath anytime if you want to wash one part or all parts of their body without getting them too wet. 

When giving a baby a sponge bath, here is what you will need:

• Washcloth or sponge

• A bowl or basin of warm water

• Mild baby soap

• Baby towel

• Padding for hard surfaces. May it be a blanket or towel

• Clean diaper

Here are some procedures you can take in giving your baby a sponge bath:

• Remove your baby's clothes and diaper and wrap them in a soft baby towel.

• Lay your baby in a flat surface. You may opt to lay them on a changing table or a counter next to the sink. 

• Slowly and carefully unwrap the towel and expose one part at a time.

• Start wiping and cleaning your baby from their face, to the top of their head, and then go down. Dip the washcloth in warm water mixed with mild soap and avoid getting soap in your baby's eyes or mouth.

• Clean all necessary parts especially the genital area.

• Once done, dry your baby off with a clean baby towel. Put on a clean diaper afterwards.