When bathing a baby, the best approach is to bathe ___ times a week, starting from the baby's head to the toes.

• A. 1-2 times a week
• B. Daily
• C. 3-4 times a week
• D. 5-6 times a week

Answer: (A)

Cleaning and skin health for a baby hinges on balancing cleanliness with preserving the skin’s natural oils. A newborn’s skin is very delicate, and washing too often can dry it out and cause irritation. The best approach is to bathe one to two times per week, using quick sponge baths between baths to clean the face, hands, neck, and diaper area as needed. When you do bathe, start at the head and work down to the toes with warm water and a mild, gentle cleanser, rinsing well. After washing, pat the skin dry and apply a light moisturizer if the skin looks dry. Always supervise the baby during bath time and keep the experience short. If the baby gets very dirty between baths, a quick sponge bath is fine, and you can adjust frequency as advised by a pediatrician.