It's bath time!

Most babies love a nice bath. It's warm, it's soothing, and it's relaxing. And because babies love skin-to-skin contact, bathing offers another great opportunity for warm interaction between you and your little one.

Ten tips for good, clean fun

• How often should baby have a bath? Check with your doctor; more than likely, he or she won't recommend a daily bath for your newborn. The frequency depends on your climate, your baby's health, and the time of year. Sponge baths are a good idea until baby is about 6 weeks old. Use warm water and a soft cloth to clean all those baby parts that need special attentionÐfirst the face and then the neck, hands, and diaper area. Of course, bathe more often as the situation requiresÐafter all, babies can get a bit messy. When your baby starts to eat solid foods (at around 4 months), you'll need to bathe him more often.
  
  
• TLC for all. Sponge-bathe your baby until the umbilical cord falls off. For circumcised baby boys, wait until the circumcision has healed (about 10 days) before giving him his first full bath.
  
  
• Temperature counts. Your baby can't regulate his body temperature as well as you can, so always bathe him in a warm room. The water should be at body temperature. Always check the bath water temperature with the underside of your wrist before you place baby into the water.
  
  
• Get a grip. A wet baby is a slippery baby, so use both hands to bathe him. Watch for his natural startled reaction to the water, which may cause him to slip out of your grasp. To keep baby from slipping in the sink or tub, lay a towel beneath him to act as a soft bath mat.
  
  
• Choose a mild soap and shampoo. A newborn's skin is very sensitive, so use only mild, no-tears baby soaps and shampoos. Avoid using oils, lotions, and other toiletries on your baby unless they're recommended by a doctor.
  
  
• Be prepared. Collect soap, towels, and other bath items so they're close at hand before you begin a bath.
  
  
• Hair care. Until your baby is several months old, shampoo his hair about once a week. Use a mild no-tears formula, and place a washcloth on his forehead to help keep drips out of his eyes. Of course, if your baby has lots of hair, shampoo whenever necessary.
  
  
• Cradle-cap care. For the first few months, you may notice little flakes on your baby's scalp that are caused by cradle cap. Simply remove the flakes by gently brushing his hair with a soft brush after you've lathered it with shampoo. Then rinse.
  
  
• Pat dry. When tub time is done, bundle up baby in a clean, soft towel, and dry him off by gently patting (not rubbing) his skin and hair. Then take a deep breath and enjoy the wonderful fresh smell of your little one.
  
  
• Water safety. Never leave your baby alone in any amount of waterÐeven for a second. Warn siblings against turning on faucets while baby is in the tub or sink to avoid accidental burns.

• A portable bath is ideal for your baby's first water experiences because there are no faucets for him to bump against. You can set one on the kitchen counter or on a table in a warm room. Place a towel underneath to catch any water spills, and remember to line the bath with a soft towel to prevent your baby from slipping.
  
  
• The kitchen sink will do if your baby will fit in it comfortably. Watch out for the faucets, and line the sink with a towel.
  
  
• The bathtub will be your choice when baby grows too big for the sink, which will happen when he's about 3 to 6 months old. You'll need extra safety gadgets for this larger expanse of water. If your baby can sit up, place him in a bathing seat. Or lay him on a bathing mat (like a big sponge) set in shallow tub water. If you can't just let the answering machine do its job, take a cordless phone into the bathing area so you can answer calls without leaving your baby's sight. (Be sure to stay away from the bathtub with the phone.) Never leave your baby in a tub unattended, regardless of how little water is in it.