HOW TO top ’n tail

Wash your hands before bathing your baby, as you’ll be working around his eyes and face.

Undress and wrap your little guy in a towel. Only expose the areas you’re immediately going to wash to prevent a chill.

Dip a cotton pad or clean washcloth into the water and gently dab around the eyes. Use a new cotton pad or another part of the washcloth for each eye to avoid bacterial transfer.

Next, wash around his mouth, cheeks, forehead and chin, and don’t forget behind the ears. Then wipe his neck, shoulders, arms and elbows, knees and in-between those tiny fingers and toes.

If you’re washing his hair, save this for last so that baby doesn’t get cold. To avoid getting water in baby’s eyes, tip his head back and use a plastic cup to gently and slowly pour a little bit of water over the head. If your baby has cradle cap you might consider using a gentle baby shampoo, otherwise water is fine.

Remove your baby’s nappy and sponge the belly, genitals and bottom. Wash from front to back to avoid bacterial transfer from the bum to the other bits. If a little boy is uncircumcised, leave the foreskin alone. If circumcised, don’t wash the head of the penis until it has healed. For girls, there is no need to wash inside the labia.

Keep baths short to prevent your baby’s skin from drying out. If you notice dry skin, apply a hypoallergenic, unscented baby moisturiser immediately after the bath while his skin is still wet. Avoid baby powders if possible, as they can cause respiratory problems.

Pat dry with a towel, don’t rub.