Talk about untested waters: There are few things more intimidating than the first time you give your wriggly newborn a bath. The good news: Bathtime will quickly become routine -- even fun!

Bathing Your Newborn

Collect what you'll need before you start bathing:

• Two washcloths -- one for soaping, one for rinsing
• Gentle, nondrying soap and baby shampoo
• Two bath towels -- one for drying, one for wrapping (one hooded towel will keep him warm)
• A clean diaper and diapering supplies
• A terry apron with a plastic lining or an old shirt for you.
• For sponge baths: a washbasin, sterile cotton balls, and rubbing alcohol

Until your infant's umbilical-cord stump falls off (usually within a week or two after birth), sponge baths are all he should have. Lay down a pad or towel on a changing table or your kitchen counter, and fill the sink or a bowl with warm (not hot) water -- test it with the inside of your wrist since your hands aren't as sensitive to heat. (A word about timing: Right before or after meals isn't ideal, since your baby may be hungry and irritable, or more likely to spit up from being jostled around.)

• Keep your baby feeling warm and secure by draping a towel over his lower half while you wash his upper body, and vice versa. Then:
• With a clean washcloth, lightly suds between his fingers and toes. (Rinse his hands before he gets them near his face.) As you wash his body, don't forget the little folds and crevices: neck, elbows, and knees. Use soap sparingly and be gentle -- don't scrub.
• Gently wipe away any crusty, yellowish material that's accumulated where the umbilical-cord stump joins the skin.
• Gently wash his face and ears (and behind the ears, but no swabs!). Using a clean, moistened cotton ball for each eye, wipe his eyes from his nose to the outer edge. (This step isn't always necessary, but it's a good idea if his eyes are even a little crusty.)
• If your son is uncircumcised, don't retract his foreskin; a simple washing with soap and water is all he needs (ditto for a circumcised penis). Wash and rinse well under his scrotum, too. Wash your daughter's genitals from front to back, and rinse well.
• Save the shampoo for last, using a nickel-size drop and a washcloth or a small plastic cup to rinse. Go for a football hold: With your baby facing you, rest his back on your forearm, with his head in the palm of your hand. Hold his head over the sink or a bowl, and use your other hand to shampoo and rinse his scalp. Don't be afraid to gently wash his two soft spots at the top and back of his head. (They'll harden by 18 months or so.)
• Wrap him in a towel and dry him right away. (Let his umbilical cord air-dry on its own -- new studies show that it's just as effective as dabbing it with an alcohol-soaked cotton ball).

Baby's first tub bath

After your baby's cord has fallen off and her navel has healed, she's ready for an infant tub or the sink.

* Place your baby's bathtub on the floor, with a tablecloth or plastic shower curtain underneath for easy cleanup. (Putting an infant tub inside the big tub may minimize mess, but it can be tough on your back to bend over it, and your baby may find the expanse of the big tub a little scary.)

* If you're using the kitchen sink as a tub, make sure there's nothing unsafe within reach. Move the faucet out of the way so she doesn't bump her head on it (or cover it with a foam protector).

* Use a molded sponge insert or a towel as a liner so your baby can lie in the infant tub or sink without slipping -- that way, both your hands will be free for washing.

* Be ready to grab her if she moves suddenly, and never leave your baby alone in or near the water -- even for a second to answer the phone or door -- no matter how shallow. Use a handheld hose if your sink has one; she'll love the feel of the warm, gently running water, and you can rinse her off easily.

Bathtime helps relax kids and get them ready for bed, and most kids love them. But be patient if your child is hesitant. Make bathtime as fun as possible, and your child is likely to enjoy it more. Plus, bathtime is a great way to bond one on one with your child!