How to top and tail a newborn
Some babies love having a bath, for other babies it can take some time to get used to it. For the first few weeks or so, you may want to top and tail baby instead. Our step-by-step guide to cleaning newborns starts at the top and ends at the tip of their toes.
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You don’t need to wash your baby every day - for the first few weeks it may be easier to top and tail instead.
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You will need a bowl of cooled, boiled water, a bowl of warm water, cotton wool or cotton pads, a fresh nappy, clean clothes and clean towels.
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Babies’ eyes can be a little sticky after birth. Dip cotton wool or a cotton pad in cool boiled water and gently wipe your baby's eyes from the nose outwards, using a new piece of cotton wool for each eye.
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Use a fresh piece of cotton wool dipped in warm water to clean around your baby's ears, avoiding the inside.
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If your baby still has vernix (the creamy white layer) in their creases, leave it there as it helps the skin barrier to develop.
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Keep your baby’s umbilical cord stump clean and dry to avoid infection - wipe it with fresh cotton wool dipped in cooled boiled water each day and gently pat it dry.
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The umbilical cord stump should drop off after about 10 days - if you have any concerns talk to your midwife.
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Gently pat your baby dry paying particular attention to the skin folds, before putting on a clean nappy.
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