Your newborn is likely to object quite noisily to being undressed and immersed in water, so don't feel you have to bath your baby every day. You can intersperse baths by ‘topping and tailing'. The important thing is to keep her face and bottom area clean.

Start by warming the room and getting everything you need together, so that you have no reason to leave your baby alone. You'll find it easier to use a baby bath for the first few months, but if you decide to put your baby into the big bath straight off, you may find it useful to use a specially designed bath support, or to get into the bath with her. If you use a baby bath, make sure you place it on a secure surface, out of any draughts.

Check the temperature
Always put the cold water in first, then add the hot and mix thoroughly. Check the temperature of the water with a bath thermometer, or use your elbow or the inside of your wrist - the water should be between 36-37°C.

Topping and tailing

Wash your baby's face and neck with cooled boiled water, using separate pieces of cotton wool for each eye, around her nose and mouth, and the creases in her neck. Don't try cleaning inside her nose or ears and never use any products on her face.
Wash her hands and make sure you remove any fluff that's caught between her fingers.
Dress her top half in a clean vest so that she doesn't get cold.
Remove your baby's nappy and wipe away any solid matter before cleansing the area with cotton wool soaked in warm water, a baby wipe or baby lotion.
Gently pat the skin dry, making sure to get into all the folds and creases.
If needed, apply a specially formulated barrier cream to help prevent nappy rash before putting on a clean nappy.

Bathing

Start by undressing your baby and wrapping her securely in a warm towel.
Wash your baby's face and clean her bottom (see above).
If you are going to wash her hair, do this now before putting her in the bath: hold her, still wrapped in the towel, backwards over the bath with her legs held between your arm and side and her body supported along the length of your forearm with her head in your hand.
Using your free hand, scoop water over her head and then apply baby shampoo.
Rinse shampoo off with fresh water and pat her hair dry using a soft towel, taking care over the soft fontanelles.
Remove the towel and lift her into the bath (having checked the water temperature again) and hold her so that her head and back is supported on your arm, with your hand firmly holding her upper arm furthest away from you. Use your other hand to wash her. Young babies don't really get dirty so she won't need much washing.
Once she is bathed, lift your baby out onto a towel on your knee and wrap her up warmly before patting her skin dry, paying particular attention to the area around the cord. Then dress her again.
Safety first
Never leave your baby alone in the bath, even for a second - babies can drown in just a couple of inches of water. If you have to leave the room, wrap her in a towel and take her with you