In this first instalment of a new series, postnatal expert MELINDA HUNT answers some common questions about newborn care.

# “How often do I need to bath my newborn baby?”

Until your newborn becomes more active, it’s not necessary to bath your baby everyday. Two to three times a week is sufficient. A sponge bath, or “top and tailing”, until the umbilical stump has fallen off is a good idea, as you need to keep the area clean and dry. Once the stump is gone, you can bath your newborn every couple of days. Because bathing can dry a newborn’s skin, apply some fragrance-free moisturiser if needed. Once your baby becomes more active, you can introduce bath time as part of your ritual before bedtime each evening – it’s a wonderful way to set the stage for sleep.

# “How often do I change my newborn’s nappy?”

In the first few days after bringing your little bundle home from hospital, and once your milk has arrived, baby could be producing five or six wet nappies in a 24-hour period. Your little sweetie could also be producing three or more pooey nappies a day. The nappy needs changing if it holds a number two, or is wet and heavy. Pouring three tablespoons of water into a clean nappy will give you an idea of what a full/wet nappy feels like; this is a neat trick for new parents to try out before baby arrives! Remember when changing your little one’s nappy to keep the area around the umbilical stump clean and dry. Bottom line is, be prepared to change a lot of nappies initially, and make sure your nursery is provisioned with a plentiful supply.