InteliHealth:

Bathing Your Baby

You may be nervous about giving your baby his first few baths, and he may not enjoy them. But relax! Baths quickly become easier, even enjoyable, for both of you, with time and experience.

One good time to bathe your newborn is in the morning, before feeding, when a baby is most alert. Nighttime is also good, because the warm water may encourage your child to sleep. Many parents make nightly baths part of their bedtime ritual.

Give your baby a sponge bath until the umbilical (belly button) cord falls off, which usually occurs within two weeks or so after birth. Once the cord falls off, you can give your baby a tub bath. Some pediatricians recommend daily baths, while others advise bathing only once or twice a week.

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Frequently Asked Questions

New parents have lots of questions. Here are some of the most common questions asked of pediatricians.

Checkups

Find out what to expect when you take your baby to the doctor's office.

Resources

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© 1996-2008 Aetna InteliHealth Inc. All rights reserved. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen. Use of this online service is subject to the disclaimer and the terms and conditions. External website links provided on this site are meant for convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement. These external links open in a different window. Aetna InteliHealth subscribes to the HONcode principles principles of the Health On the Net Foundation. "InteliHealth" and "The Trusted Source" are trademarks of Aetna InteliHealth Inc.

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