My little bathing beauty did not enjoy her first bath at all. I learned my lesson that day: when giving your newborn a bath, a little pre-planning can make the experience a lot less nerve-wracking for both of you.

Getting Ready
First, warm the room where you're going to give the sponge bath. Turn on the heat lamp or crank up the thermostat and close the windows so the baby doesn't get the chills when that rush of cold air hits.

Next, get your supplies together. Here's a quick list: Lukewarm water Mild soap if desired Three or four washcloths A blanket or towel to lay baby on A towel for drying off A hooded towel to cover baby Three or four cotton balls Rubbing alcohol/wipes for umbilical stump (optional) Vaseline or other product as recommended by pediatrician for boys' circumcised genitals(optional) Fresh diaper Clean clothes

If you want to soothe your baby during what might be a trying time, sing or play a lullaby tape.

Working on Down
Now you're ready to bring baby into the warm room and get started. For now, you don't need to get baby undressed. Do that as you go so baby stays as warm as possible.

Start washing at the fuzzy little top and work your way down.

Eyes: Put a little bit of water on a cotton ball. Wipe baby's eyelids from the inside corner to the outside corner. Use fresh cotton balls for each eye.

Face and neck: Use a washcloth to gently clean baby's face with water only. Don't forget behind the ears (no need to get into the ears). Lift the chin gently to wash under the neck folds (it can get smelly in there!). Pat baby dry.

Hair: Holding baby's head and neck steady with one arm, squeeze a little warm water from a washcloth onto baby's head. Next, squeeze a tiny bit of shampoo on and lather. Rinse with the wet washcloth and dry. Cover with a hooded towel.

Chest, back and arms: Take off baby's shirt and clean the chest, stomach and arms. If you use a mild soap, squeeze a little bit onto a new wet washcloth and follow with a water-only washcloth to rinse. Dry so baby isn't slippery. Then carefully hold baby in a sitting position, leaning against one forearm or roll onto his stomach, while you clean the back. Pat baby dry. Follow any instructions from your doctor for care of the umbilical stump. This usually entails swabbing it with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol, or letting it air dry. Put baby's shirt back on or wrap torso in a towel.

Legs: Move on down to baby's legs and feet with the warm washcloth. If using soap, rinse well with the water-only cloth, getting in all the cute little creases of fat.

Diaper area: Grab a new washcloth to clean the genitals. For girls, remember to clean from front to back. Pat baby's legs, feet and genitals dry. Follow your pediatrician's recommendations for caring for circumcisions.

Wrapping Things Up
Lastly, diaper, dress and you're done. Now your baby is sweet-smelling once again. If you clean hands, face and diaper area daily, you can hold off on another newborn bath for up to a week. Some parents give sponge baths every other day. When the umbilical stump falls off, you're ready for another bubbly adventure with baby: the tub bath!