A daily bath isn’t always necessary, especially in winter This ‘sponging’ method is another way of washing your baby:

• Start with the eyes Use a damp cloth or some damp cotton wool, and wipe from the inside out
• Then wash the face, making sure you wash behind their ears, and don’t forget the neck Then wash their arms and torso, front and back, and dry well, including all the various skin folds
• If the skin needs moisturising, add a little oil to the water in the bowl, but don’t do this until after the umbilical cord stump has dropped off
• Make sure you dry their belly button well You might want to use a cotton bud to keep your baby's belly button clean
• Wash their bottom last, always from front to back Wash your baby girl carefully between the labia if she has done a poo
• Keep your baby warm by covering any bare bits with a towel

Putting on a clean nappy
When you put a clean nappy on, make sure it doesn’t interfere with the umbilical cord stump if it hasn’t yet dropped off Point your baby boy’s penis downwards so he doesn’t pee towards his navel

Dressing your baby
Dress your baby in a vest or a bodysuit but remember his or her clothes must not be uncomfortably tight Make sure the clothes do not pull the nappy up between the buttocks or press the arms and shoulders down restricting movement

Cleaning baby’s ears
You should only clean the outer part of the ear hole if it’s needed This may vary from a couple of times a week to once a week

Cutting the nails
If the nails need cutting, you can rub them with your fingers until the nail comes away When the nails become too hard for rubbing – around one month – start cutting them straight across with a pair of baby nail scissors or clippers

The hair
Comb the hair very carefully with a fine-toothed comb or soft brush – first against the natural direction of growth, then back the right way This is to prevent cradle cap