Most babies will cry a little bit or even cry the whole time when the water is too hot or too cold.
Bath water that is too hot for the baby can easily scald or burn a baby's sensitive skin.
The infant's skin should not be red during or following the bath.
After the umbilical cord falls off the baby and the baby button heals you can give the newborn a bath then.
The stump of the umbilical cord should naturally fall off within about 2 weeks after the baby is born.
Then ideally you should wait a week after then to bathe the baby.
Until then a sponge bath for your newborn is perfectly fine and all the baby really needs.
Only give your newborn sponge baths until the stump of the umbilical cord falls off, which usually happens by about one or two weeks of age.
If it remains beyond that time, there may be other issues at play.
Once the umbilical cord has fallen off and the belly button has healed, you can give your baby her first real bath.
Aim for an every-other-day bath; a daily bath is more apt to dry your baby's delicate skin.
After the umbilical cord falls off.
Wipe away any remaining secretions with a dampened washcloth and pat dry.
Stick to sponge baths for a couple of days longer and then let your baby indulge in a tub.
The skin underneath the stump may be a little red when the dried stump first falls off, but it should soon heal—usually within two weeks.
Keep the navel (belly button) clean and dry.
If there are any secretions, clean them away. Use a wet cotton swab. Then, dry carefully.
Do this gently to prevent any bleeding.
Caution: Don't use any rubbing alcohol. Reason: can interfere with healing.
You can bathe your baby at any time of the day.
It's a good idea to pick a time when you're relaxed and you won't be interrupted.
And it's best to avoid bathing your baby when baby is hungry or straight after a feed.
There's no need to give your newborn a bath every day.
Three times a week might be enough until your baby becomes more mobile.
Bathing your baby too much can dry out his or her skin.