Newborn Hygiene

This article provides information on different aspects of caring for your newborn including bathing, scalp/haircare, and nail care.

Bathing your baby  

• Give your baby sponge baths until their umbilical cord has fallen off and is dry. You can use a soft washcloth and plain water. Once the cord is off and healed, your baby can have a full bath. Read more about how to care for your child’s umbilical cord here.

• Your baby may only need a bath every three days or so.

• Baths can be done at any time of day. Some families give baths before bedtime to help their baby feel calm and ready to sleep.

• Setting up the bath

  • You can use an infant bathtub placed on a safe surface like a counter or bathe your baby in the sing.

  • Put a towel or sponge liner on the bottom of the tub or sink for comfort.

  • Make sure the room is warm.

• Gather all of the supplies you need before placing your baby in the bath.

• Use only about 3 inches of water in the tub or sink.

• The water should be about 90°F. It should feel lukewarm when tested with your elbow.

• Use only plain water only or a mild, dye-free, fragrance-free soap. Be sure to rinse well.

  Never leave your baby alone in the bath - even for a few seconds.

Hair and Scalp

• Use baby shampoo or a gentle, mild soap once or twice a week.  

• If you use soap, make sure to keep it away from your baby’s eyes.

• Cradle Cap

  • This is an oily or flaky yellow or brown crust on your baby’s scalp.

  • It is very common in newborns.

  • It usually goes away on its own.

  • You can gently rub oils (like coconut, olive, or mineral oils) into the scalp to help loosen the flakes.

  • Brushing the flakes off can cause hair loss and the flakes usually come back.

  • If you have questions about cradle cap, please discuss with your child’s primary care provider.

Nose and Ears

• You do not need to scrub or dig out earwax or mucous.

• Using swabs in your baby’s ears can push the wax deeper and may hurt the ear canal or eardrum. Learn more about earwax.

• It’s best to gently wipe around the outside of the ears and nose with a soft cloth.

• If your baby has a stuffy nose, you can use nasal saline drops and suction to get the drainage out

Image source: https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/suctioning-the-nose-with-a-bulb-syringe

Body Creases and Genitals

• Make sure to gently clean and dry all of your baby’s skin creases - under the arms, behind the knees, around the neck, and in the diaper area.

• These spots can easily become red or irritated.

• Rinse carefully. Leftover soap can be irritating.

• It is not necessary to clean inside a girl's genital area. Instead, gently wipe the outside from front to back, moving from the genitals toward the anus.

• Avoid using soap in the genitals - plain warm water is best.

Newborn Nail Care

• All newborns need to have their nails trimmed.

• Even at birth, a newborn’s nails are long enough to scratch their face during a reflexive movement.

• Fingernails grow quickly and need to be trimmed or smoothed once a week.

• Toenails grow slower and usually only need trimming once or twice a month.

• Be very careful when trimming nails — it’s easy to cut your baby’s skin instead of the nail.

  • Use special infant nail scissors or a nail file.

  • Some parents prefer to file the nails instead of cutting them.

• Newborn nails are very soft, so they might look ingrown, even when they are not. This is only a problem if you see redness or swelling around the nail.

This publication was adapted from information from American Academy of Pediatrics Patient Education materials.

Reviewed by: AM M.D., CPCMG Newborn Committee, AR D.O. | 06/2025

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