Baby bath
How to Keep Your Baby Fresh With Topping and Tailing
Learn topping and tailing, a gentle sponge bath method to keep your baby feeling fresh without a full bath. Follow this easy step-by-step guide.
Newborns do not need bathing often as they do not get dirty the way older, crawling babies do. You can keep your baby clean and fresh by "topping and tailing," also known as a sponge bath. This method is also handy for older babies if you are away or run out of time for the full bath routine.
Topping and Tailing: Step-by-Step Guide
- Step 1: Wash your hands. Lay your baby on their back on your lap, a changing mat, or a clean dry surface. For an older child, have them sit on your lap or stand next to you.
- Step 2: Undress your baby but leave the diaper on.
- Step 3: Wipe their face, neck, and ears with a damp wash cloth or cotton wool.
- Step 4: Gently pat dry with more cotton wool or a dry cloth.
- Step 5: If your baby has a sticky eye clogged with dried mucus, softly wipe each eye from the inside corner to the outside using a tiny piece of cotton wool dipped in cooled, boiled water. Use a separate piece for each eye and wipe only once with each ball.
- Step 6: Wipe underarms and hands with cotton wool or a damp wash cloth, then dry gently with a towel.
- Step 7: Remove the diaper. For newborns, wash off any dried discharge from the cord stump area.
- Step 8: Wash the bottom and genitals carefully and pat dry.
- Step 9: Follow with a gentle massage using baby lotion to soothe and relax your little one for bedtime.
- Step 10: Place a soft, clean diaper on your baby and dress them up.
These simple steps are sure to keep your baby feeling fresh without causing any discomfort to either one of you.
Kimberly-Clark India makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness or accuracy of the information. This information should be used only as a guide and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical or other health professional advice.
FAQs on How To Keep Your Baby Feeling Fresh
Topping and tailing is a gentle sponge bath method to keep your baby clean without a full bath. You wipe your baby's face, neck, ears, underarms, hands, bottom, and genitals using a damp wash cloth or cotton wool, then pat dry and apply baby lotion.
Newborns do not need bathing often as they do not get dirty like older crawling babies. Between full baths, you can keep your baby clean and fresh by topping and tailing, also known as a sponge bath. This method is gentle and effective for daily hygiene.
Softly wipe each eye from the inside corner to the outside using a tiny piece of cotton wool dipped in cooled, boiled water. Use a separate piece of cotton wool for each eye and wipe only once with each ball to avoid spreading any infection.
Wash your hands and lay baby on their back. Leave the diaper on and wipe face, neck, and ears with a damp cloth. Pat dry, clean underarms and hands, remove the diaper, wash the bottom and genitals, pat dry, apply baby lotion, then put on a clean diaper and dress them.
Yes, for newborns, wash off any dried discharge that may have come out from the cord stump area during the topping and tailing process. Be gentle when cleaning around this area and consult your doctor if you notice any signs of infection.
