How to Bathe a Circumsized Baby

Bath time is a great time for you and your baby to begin the bonding process and build attachment. It is also a time where you can continue to encourage social-emotional development and begin soothing routines of bath time whether you choose a morning or an evening bath-time routine. Special care is needed for circumcised boys though.

Things You'll Need

• Soap, no-tears
• Washcloth, soft
• Towel, hooded or regular
• Container of water
• Diaper
• Clothes
• Blanket
• Comb or hair brush
• Manicure or scissors

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Instructions

• 1

  Bathe your circumcised baby according to your doctor's directions. Sponge baths are given to your baby until the circumcision is healed and the umbilical cord falls off. Umbilical cords fall off between 10 days and 2 weeks and circumcisions heal in about the same time.

• 2

  Collect all bathing accessories before you give your baby a bath. Never leave your baby unattended.

• 3

  Wash your hands and choose a warm place free of drafts. Babies have a hard time regulating their body temperature.

• 4

  Test the temperature of the water. It should be around 100 degrees to be not too cold or too hot.

• 5

  Use only no-tears formula shampoo on your baby. Place a washcloth on the forehead to help prevent water from getting into his eyes. Cradle cap can occur in the first few months. You can help remedy this by washing the baby's hair and brushing it with a soft brush after the bath.

• 6

  Place your baby on a towel to prepare him for a sponge bath.

• 7

  Clean the circumcision by pulling back the remaining amount of foreskin and clean gently. Don't pull back the foreskin forcibly.

• 8

  Use this opportunity to sing and talk to your baby to increase language development skills.