Care

• Make sure baby is not overtired or very hungry as he may enjoy his bath.
• First, gather all your supplies before you turn on the tap, including soap and shampoo, washcloth, towel, rubber ducks. You can also gather a clean diaper, clean clothes, and diaper ointment or cream for after the bath.
• The water should be comfortably warm, so test the temperature with your elbow or the inside of your wrist (these areas are more sensitive than your fingertips).
• Working from the top down, focus on the cleanest areas first, and move toward the grimiest. Baby’s hair needs shampooing only once or twice a week with just a drop or two of shampoo.
• Eyes, ears, and soft spots. Be extra gentle — but thorough — with her face, neck, and ears. When washing the scalp, massage it with the pads of your fingers, including the area over the fontanelles. Clean her eyes with a soft dampened washcloth (or dampened cotton balls), wiping from the inner corner to the outer corner. Wash only the outside of those tiny ears.
• Use clean, warm water for that final rinse cycle, then pat (don't rub) your baby's skin with a soft dry towel. Be sure to thoroughly dry her bottom and any other areas where there are folds of skin.
• Never leave a baby alone in or near the tub, and always keep at least one hand on her body at all times.  
• After bath give your baby a nice massage with gentle baby oil. Babies and toddlers who are massaged for 15 minutes before bedtime fall asleep sooner and are more likely to sleep through the night than those who are rocked to sleep.