Gina Ford - top & tailing???

[e-mum]

I'm currently reading A Contented House w/ Twins by Gina Ford and I've come across the term top & tailing but I can't seem to find what it means. Can somebody tell me?

 

[rani]

It's like a sponge bath.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/parenting/your_kids/babies_bathing.shtml

 

[alibali]

it means cleaning the baby's head and bottom, usually with just a wet sponge and not submerging the baby in water. You will probably do this for the babies' first week or so. I still do it with my 7 month old as she only gets a bath every other day!

 

[bekyboo44]

I always thought top and tailing was when two people slept head to feet- so two people sleeping in same bed but one has feet at one end with other persons head and vice versa.

Guess it depends on context within which it's used- sleeping or bathing!

 

[lambiebeatty]

It's a commonly used UK term which in this context means what someone kindly posted before... just cleaning the babies bottom and head and often just with cotton wool balls.