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Diapering & Skin Care

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Suzanne Dixon
By Suzanne Dixon M.D., M.P.H.
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"There is nothing so amazing as the development of a child," says Suzanne Dixon, M.D., a behavioral and developmental pediatrician who was one of the founding members of the Pampers Parenting Network. "Every day is a new adventure when you have a child around you. I never get tired of learning from the children who have been a part of my life, professionally and personally."

Suzanne Dixon, M.D., M.P.H., was born and raised in Minnesota and graduated from the University of Minnesota, School of Medicine. She did her pediatric training at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and then completed a fellowship in Child Development at Boston's Children's Hospital. Dr. Dixon joined the faculty at the University of California, San Diego, and did patient care, teaching, and research for 20 years. She ran a large newborn service, performed research in early child development, and was involved in many community outreach activities in maternal child health. Throughout her entire professional life she has maintained an interest in cross-cultural activities, living and working in many parts of the world, including Mexico, India, Kenya, Indonesia, and several countries from the former U.S.S.R.

Dr. Dixon is the author of numerous research articles, review articles, and textbook chapters in pediatrics, child and family development, and public health. Her textbook, written with Dr. Martin Stein, Encounters With Children: Pediatric Behavior and Development, has become a classic in child health education and is in its fourth edition. She is Editor in Chief of the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, an international journal of high standing in the professional world. She also has served as an associate editor for Infant Mental Health and currently reviews for several major pediatric journals.

Dr. Dixon is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and served in national positions in that organization. She is a member of the Society for Pediatric Research, the Society for Research in Child Development, the American Public Health Association, and the Executive Council of the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. She serves as consultant to several national and international organizations and has received an award from Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies.

Dr. Dixon continues to lecture and consult worldwide on aspects of maternal, child, and family health. She practices behavioral and developmental pediatrics in Montana and works with local advocacy groups on education and women's health. Dr. Dixon has been married for over 30 years and has three sons. She and her husband travel frequently, are outdoor enthusiasts, and enjoy being amateur anthropologists
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Newborn babies don't get very dirty, so as long as you clean your baby's bottom thoroughly at each diaper change, you probably won't need to bathe her more than two or three times a week. And the bath only has to be long enough to wipe off any debris and peeling skin that's collected. Likewise, your baby's hair (if she has any) won't need to be shampooed at every bath; just do it whenever it seems necessary. While most babies will quickly learn to love bath time, don't be surprised if yours squirms or cries at first — all that water takes some getting used to!

Here are a few more tips to make bath time safe and pleasant for both of you:

  • While your baby still has her umbilical cord attached, quick sponge baths (with your baby lying securely on a soft padded surface) let you avoid submerging the cord stump, which needs to stay dry.
  • When your baby's cord has fallen off, she'll be ready for a true bath: Use a bathinette, sink, or plastic tub lined with a towel and filled with about two inches of water.
  • Always bathe your baby in a warm, draft-free room, and have a dry towel handy to wrap her in immediately following her bath. Placing a warm, wet washcloth over your baby's stomach during her bath may help prevent her from becoming chilled.
  • To clean your baby, use a soft washcloth or sponge. Rinse each part of your baby in turn, gently sponging off any visible flakes of skin. Be sure to check behind her ears, between her fingers and toes, under her arms, and in the folds of her neck and thighs, where debris often collects.
  • Keep one hand on your baby at all times — she could slip into the water in a heartbeat — and never leave your baby alone in the bath, even for a moment. If you have to leave the room, take her with you.
  • After your baby's bath, gently pat her dry. You may want to moisturize her skin to help maintain its natural strength and softness.

Get more bathing basics from Dr. Anthony Mancini.

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