Bathing baby? Don’t forget the little folds.

The little neck folds. The wrist rings. The thigh creases you notice when you’re getting a clean diaper ready. Baby care includes a surprising number of small places that are easy to miss.

You don’t need to scrub them or turn every cleanup into a full bath. Think soft cloth, gentle washing, and careful drying.

Get everything ready before you start.

Gather a soft washcloth, warm—not hot—water, a towel, a clean diaper, and clothes. If you use a cleanser, choose a mild, fragrance-free product made for babies and use a small amount. Plain water is enough for many simple cleanups.

For a newborn whose umbilical cord stump hasn’t fallen off and healed, use sponge baths and follow the care instructions you were given. The linked American Academy of Dermatology and pediatric guidance explain how.

Remember the creases, gently.

As you wash, gently check behind the ears, under the chin and neck, the armpits, and the folds at the wrists, arms, and thighs. Use a soft cloth dampened with water; where cleanser is needed, rinse it away. Don’t pull at the skin or scrub.

Clean around the outside of the ears, not inside the ear canal. Keep your baby supported, warm, and covered where you aren’t washing. Use fresh water or a clean part of the cloth as it gets dirty, and clean the diaper area last.

Dry the folds, too.

With a soft towel, gently pat the skin dry, including between the creases. Take a moment under the neck and around the little wrist and thigh folds before putting clothes back on. Gentle drying is part of the cleanup.

If a fold looks sore, broken, or persistently irritated, ask your pediatrician what to use. Don’t assume it needs more soap, harder scrubbing, or a medicated product.

Stay with baby for the whole bath.

Keep a hand on your baby and never leave them alone in the bath, even briefly. A bath seat or an older child doesn’t replace adult supervision. If you need to leave, take your baby with you, wrapped in a towel. Keep the head clear of the water.

Set up a stable bathing space away from objects that could fall, and keep your own footing secure. Put the phone aside. A forgotten towel can wait; your baby needs you right there.

And if today is a gentle wash with a cloth rather than a full bath, that can be enough. Newborns don’t need a full bath every day. Follow your baby’s care team if they have given you specific skin-care instructions.