Bathing, Diapering, and Dressing Your Baby

Bathing your baby

Here Comes Baby - Bathing Your Baby (video) from Parenting in Ottawa demonstrates how to give a new baby a bath, including how to care for your baby’s umbilical cord stump. This video provides tips and tricks on how to turn bath time into an enjoyable experience for both baby and the parent or caregiver.

Diapering your baby

Here Comes Baby - Diapering Your Baby (video) from Parenting in Ottawa demonstrates how to change a new baby’s diaper. It includes tips and tricks that may make diapering safer, easier, and more enjoyable for both baby and the parent or caregiver.

Dressing your baby

As a general guideline, dress your baby as you would dress yourself—then add one more layer. Adding or removing a layer of clothing is the easiest way to keep your baby at a comfortable temperature. Check your baby’s skin temperature by feeling the back of their neck, arms, or chest. Hands and feet are usually cooler than the rest of the body. 

You do not need to keep your house warmer than usual. Overheating is a risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Babies have difficulty adjusting to big changes in temperature, so keep the house at a steady, comfortable temperature. 

You can start enjoying the outdoors with your baby as soon as you are ready. If dressed appropriately, most full-term newborns can handle average summer and winter temperatures. Limit the amount of time outdoors if the weather is extremely cold or hot.