How to Clean Your Baby's Ears, Eyes, and Nose

Whether you're a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, you may be looking for advice on cleaning your baby’s ears, eyes, and nose. Our guide offers a few simple tips and tricks to help you clean these delicate areas without causing any discomfort to your little one. Keep reading for our step-by-step instructions on how to clean your baby’s ears, eyes, and nose safely and effectively.

The Importance of Cleaning Your Baby's Ears, Nose, and Eyes

Newborns and older infants don’t need to be bathed much—one to three baths per week is usually sufficient in the first year. But both during your baby's baths and on the days in between, you'll want to gently clean their face and neck with a wet washcloth (and also the folds of their skin and the diaper area, too).

Wiping your baby's face helps remove things like dried milk or mucus from around their nose, mouth, and eyes and helps keep your little one's delicate skin healthy and prevent infections.

How to Wash Your Baby’s Face

When cleaning your baby’s eyes, ears, and nose, you can start by filling a basin with warm, soap-free water. Aim for a water temperature between 95 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit (35 to 38 degrees Celsius)—not too hot and not too cold. This is also a good bath water temperature for bathing your baby. Ensure your baby is warm and in a comfortable position and that you’re supporting them with one hand while cleaning them with the other.

Use a soft, clean washcloth dampened with water to gently clean your baby’s face. Here are some specific tips for cleaning your baby’s eyes, ears, and nose:

1. How to Clean Your Newborn’s Eyes

Whether it's a full bath or just a quick face wash, begin with the eyes. To clean your baby's eyes, gently wipe from the inner corner to the outer corner of their eye with the damp washcloth. Use a clean area of the cloth for each eye to avoid cross-contamination. Consult with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or questions about cleaning your baby's eyes.

2. How to Clean Your Baby’s Ears

Cleaning your baby's ears means following an important safety guideline: Never insert anything into their ear canal, including cotton swabs. Instead, use your soft, damp washcloth to carefully clean the outside of the ear and behind the ears. You may have questions about your baby’s ear wax and how (or if) you should clean inside their ears at home to remove it. Ear wax is normal and healthy. It helps to protect the lining of the ear canal and traps any dust or other particles that may cause damage or infection in the ear. So a quick wipe with a damp cloth to the outside of your baby’s ear is all that’s needed, as ears are self-cleaning, and ear wax naturally comes out on its own. Baby ear wax removal from inside the ears is not safe to do at home and is not recommended. Trying to remove the wax with cotton swabs (or anything else) can push the ear wax deeper into the ear canal and cause blockages or injury. Consult your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or questions about cleaning your baby's ears.

3. How to Clean Your Newborn’s Nose

Cleaning your baby’s nose is similar to the process of cleaning their ears. You can use the washcloth to gently wipe around your baby's nostrils and remove any dried mucus. Don’t insert anything inside your baby’s nostrils, as this can cause damage to the lining. If your baby is congested and it’s causing them discomfort when breathing or feeding, you could use a rubber bulb syringe or nasal saline drops to gently clear their nasal passages. Always follow the instructions provided and never force anything into their nose. It may also be helpful to use a cool mist humidifier in their room to keep the air moist and ease congestion. Consult with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or questions about cleaning your baby's nose. Once you’re finished cleaning your baby’s little face, gently pat their skin dry with a soft towel.

When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider

Cleaning your baby’s ears, eyes, and nose is relatively straightforward; however, if you notice any of the following, it’s recommended to contact your healthcare provider:

• Signs of eye infection, such as swelling, discharge, or redness

• Signs of ear infection, such as pulling at their ear, pus, or hearing difficulty

• Something other than ear wax in your baby’s ear or any obstruction in their nose.

The Bottom Line

Keeping your baby’s ears, eyes, and nose clean can help ensure your little one is comfortable and prevent infections. Never insert anything into your baby's ear canal or up their nose, and always be gentle as you're wiping your baby's face. You can even use these gentle cleaning techniques if your little one has baby acne (our dedicated article has more advice on baby acne). If you have any concerns about your baby's health or the cleanliness of their ears, eyes, or nose, don't hesitate to contact your healthcare provider. For more on bathing, check out these great baby bathtubs and seats as chosen by Pampers Parents. And as your little one grows into a toddler, pick up some handy strategies for how to make bath time fun.

_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}