Babies 101: How do you bathe a newborn and how often?

This is a question almost every new parent wonders. You have a bath everyday, but should your new baby? The newborn care nurse at the hospital I just delivered my baby at told me it's best to not bathe a newborn more than once every three days. Dr. David L. Hill, pediatrician and dad of three, agrees that baby doesn't need a bath everyday and offers this advice:

Initially the concern is keeping the umbilical cord clean and dry. Until the cord falls off, we recommend sponge-bathing in order to avoid immersing the cord in water. Afterwards you can immerse your baby in water without concern. Make sure your hot water heater is set no higher than 120 degrees to prevent scalding. Increased bathing worsens eczema, so try not to bathe your baby if he or she doesn't really seem to need it. Try to minimize how much soap you use in order to reduce the risk for eczema, and avoid soaps with scents and colors.