Some baby soap brands contain fragrances and chemicals that may be harsh on baby skin and therefore a concern to some parents. Many hospitals and pediatricians recommend Cetaphil for babies because it is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and mild. According to well-known pediatrician, Dr. William Sears, babies need mild soaps because without soap, some oils, dirt and surface secretions would simply stick to the child's skin and then require vigorous rubbing to remove them, and further irritate an infant's skin.
Prepare the bath area before fetching the baby. If using a baby tub, make sure it is set securely on the counter or table. If using the kitchen sink or bathtub, lay a folded towel or rubber bath mat on the bottom so that baby doesn’t slide around on the wet surface.
Fill the tub or sink with warm water, making sure that it is just about body temperature. Hot water will burn the baby, and cold will make her very unhappy.
Place a bath towel on your chest like a bib and secure it behind your neck with a safety pin. This is not absolutely necessary, but it will keep you safe from happy splashes, and dry if you need to lift the baby out of the tub suddenly for reasons of comfort or unsanitary mishaps.
Support the baby firmly with one hand while wetting her body with your other. Keep one hand behind an older baby’s back, because they do tend to move suddenly.
Wet the tips of your fingers or the corner of a clean washcloth with some Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. According to the manufacturer, Galderma, this is the mildest soap they offer. Massage the soap into your baby’s skin without scrubbing. Cetaphil can also be used as a shampoo.
Rinse your baby thoroughly, remove her from the tub and wrap her in a hooded baby towel or bath towel. Cetaphil does offer mild moisturizers, but most pediatricians, like Dr. William Sears, caution that moisturizers can clog baby’s pores and contribute to rashes.
Tips
Use a plastic cup to rinse the your baby, to avoid the scary noise and splashes that faucets cause.
Warnings
Never leave a baby unattended in any kind of bath.