Dressing your newborn baby can be fun but sometimes challenging. Newborns typically don't cooperate with putting on shirts or onesies. They often cry or withdraw their arms and legs.  If this is normal. It is safe to gently pull baby arms and legs through arm and leg holes of clothing.  Be careful not to bend fingers and toes in the wrong directions.  If in general, a newborn should dress in a light layers. A newborn or young infant typically requires one light layer more than what is comfortable for the adults in the room.  For example, if an adult is comfortable in a tee shirt, then the infant should be in a onesie and covered with a light blanket. Premature infants require extra bundling because they have less ability to regulate their own body temperature.

Newborn skin is often dry--they just spent nine months in an amniotic fluid bath.  In the first week or two, most babies will have scaling, dry, cracked skin on their hands and feet.  As long as this is not red, irritated, or bleeding, it will likely get better on its own. Most babies don't need lotions, oils, or powders for dry skin.  If you're inclined to use something, a mild fragrance-free lotion is likely safe. Newborns also commonly have a variety of skin rashes or bumps.  Newborn acne is common.  This is caused by hormones around the time of birth.  There are a variety of other benign bumps found on baby's skin in the first week or two.  Most of these need no treatment. Baby finger and toenails are often long after birth.  The skin under the nails is often attached high up the nail, making it easy to injure the baby's skin with a nail clipper.  In general, it is better to use a nail file or emery board to gently file your baby's nails.

Your baby will receive a bath in the newborn nursery.  In the newborn period your baby won't need a submersion bath for several weeks or months.  Some pediatricians waiting and tell the umbilical stump balls off before submersing your baby in water. However, you may give your baby a sponge bath every few days. The diaper area can be cleaned with wet wipes during each diaper change. Frequent baths in a newborn made dry out the skin.  Applying a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic baby moisturizing lotion immediately after bathing may help keep the skin from drying out. For a baby sponge bath, you can lay your baby on a towel on a soft surface and pat the skin with a warm, wet washcloth.  It is recommended that you use a mild baby soap for the skin and baby shampoo for the hair. Having a small basin of warm water next to your baby will make bathing easier. All bathing supplies should be within reach and your baby should never be left unattended for any reason (i.e., to answer the phone, to answer the door, or stopping a fight between your other children).