Skin and bathing

Jaundice

Yellow-colored skin is called jaundice and occurs in many healthy babies. The color comes from iron waste in your baby's body as she converts from fetal red blood cells to adult red blood cells. You can see the yellow color first in the whites of the eyes and face. As the jaundice worsens, it moves down baby's body onto the trunk and legs. Jaundice begins around the second day of life, peaks at day five or six, and slowly resolves over the next few weeks.

Bathing

Newborns can be sponge-bathed every few days. Keep your baby's face, hands and diaper area clean everyday. Continue sponge-bathing your infant until the cord falls off. Applying hypoallergenic moisturizing cream after bath time is optional.