When baby is new born do you bathe them or how do you keep them clean

[BabyMarquez]

I'm a ftm due in October 8th. Is it OK to bathe new born or do you just wipe them down with clean wet clothes. As far as keeping them clean and smelling good I need to know this asap

[Candy_T]

I was washing him every other day so his skin wouldn't dry out.

[rosie_84]

my mom told me to sponge bathe them until the umbilical cord falls off.

[BabyMarquez]

Or can this process be done every other day until stump falls of and clear of getting possible infection

[BabyMarquez]

OK so if I use wash clothes to wipe him down not submerging him in water how often can this be done is it still one or two time's a week?

[Candy_T]

I agree with the rest of the ladies in regards to not submerging him in water until the umbilical cord falls off. I would lay him on a towel by the sink and wipe him down with a warm, soapy towel. :)  

[rosealie23]

With an inch of water it won't submerge The umbilical cord.

[BabyMarquez]

OK thanks ladies!  
I don't if they would tell me any of these things after I leave hospital so I figured I ask on here with those experienced mommies

[rosealie23]

I wash my baby at hospital in the sink for first bath. Then I wash daily or every other day in baby bath tub with about an inch of warm water and I put about two table spoons of baby oil. Dry baby and then I put on a good baby lotion.

[sew2009]

They should give u this info at the time of your hospital discharge! :-) dont worry... must pediatric docs and nurses at the hospital are super helpful and welcome questions! :-)

[Mama6hijos]

You do not bathe a newborn (not submerge completely in water) until your newborns umbilical cord has fallen off and the area around the umbilical cord is healed with no sign of infection. You can wash your baby with a warm cloth, dry him and lather lightly with moisturizer (baby lotion).

[bryceT317_3]

Oh yeah the umbilical cord! I remember now

[babyberry000]

You give them sponge baths till their umbilical cord falls off. You don't want to submerge them in the water, and you don't want to wash them every day, it will dry out their skin.
Just wipe them down with a warm wash cloth :)

[oct3014]

When your in the hospital they will help you with babies first bath then once you get home you can do a basin bath where you fill it up and lay baby on bed and wipe them down (pink tub) they give u at the hospital until your comfortable with putting them in their baby tub.

[bryceT317_3]

I was told not to bathe them for a couple of weeks after birth. But I did wipe them down with a warm cloth. Then lotion them. Not sure why you can't