Knowing how to use a baby wash takes only a few minutes and a gentle hand.
Wet your baby's skin and hair with warm water, then pour a small amount of wash into your palm and work up a light lather in your own hands before smoothing it over the body and scalp.
Use a soft, light touch, especially around the fontanelle — the soft spot — and never press on it. As a head-to-toe wash it can gently clean the face too, kept carefully away from the eyes, ears, lips and mouth even though it is tear-free.
Pay attention to the folds — the neck, the wrists, behind the knees — where milk and sweat collect, then rinse well so nothing stays behind, and pat the skin dry rather than rubbing.
If there are dry flakes — the cradle cap many babies get — a gentle wash, and a little baby hair oil massaged in before the bath, helps soften them so a soft brush can lift them away.
As with anything new, if you notice redness or your baby seems uncomfortable, stop and check with your paediatrician — especially if your baby was born early or has sensitive skin.