Here are some recommendations for bathing your newborn, following common advice from the parenting experts.
Top Tips:
- You don’t need to bath your baby every day.
A bath 2 or 3 times a week is plenty in the first few weeks.
Too much bathing can dry out their delicate skin.
On other days, focus on washing their face, neck, hands, and bottom carefully.
This is often called a “top and tail”. - Safety is paramount.
Never leave your baby alone in the bath , not even for a second.
Get everything you need ready beforehand. - Prevent scalds:
Always put cold water in the bath first, then add the hot water.
Mix it well and check the temperature with your elbow or wrist.
It should feel warm, not hot. - Your Bathing Kit
Have all of this ready before you undress your baby:- A clean “baby bath” or a sink lined with a clean towel.
- A towel, preferably one with a “hood”.
- A clean “nappy”, clean clothes, and any other items you need for after the bath.
- Cotton wool or soft cloths.
- A mild, unperfumed “baby wash” or liquid baby soap.
How to Bath Your Baby Step-by-Step
- “Fill the bath”with about 5-8 cm (2-3 inches) of “warm water”.
Test it with your wrist or elbow. - “Undress your baby”, but leave their nappy on for now.
Wrap them in a towel. - Clean their face first.
Dampen some cotton wool with warm water (no soap) and gently wipe each eye from the inner corner outwards.
Use a new piece for each eye.
Then wipe around their mouth, nose, and ears. - Remove the nappy and clean their bottom if needed.
- “Fill the bath”with about 5-8 cm (2-3 inches) of “warm water”.
Now, for the bath:
- Using one hand to support their head and shoulders and the other to support their bottom, gently lower them into the water, feet first.
Keep their head well clear of the water. - Use the other hand or a flannel to gently splash water over their body.
If you use a little baby wash, make sure you rinse it all off. - Lift them out carefully, supporting their head and bottom.
Place them immediately onto the hooded towel and wrap them up snugly. - Dry them gently, paying attention to all the skin creases in their thighs, neck, and arms.
Pat them dry; don’t rub. - Put on a clean nappy and dress them.
- Using one hand to support their head and shoulders and the other to support their bottom, gently lower them into the water, feet first.
“Topping and Tailing” (When You Don’t Do a Full Bath)
This is the classic way to freshen up your baby between baths.- Wrap your baby in a towel on a safe, flat surface.
- Dampen some cotton wool with warm water.
- Gently wipe each eye (from the inside out), their face, and behind their ears.
- Use a new piece of cotton wool to wipe their hands, arms, and under their arms.
- Change their nappy and clean their bottom as usual.
A Few More Bits of Advice
Umbilical Cord Stump:
It’s fine to bath your baby before the stump falls off, just make sure you dry the stump thoroughly afterwards by gently dabbing it with a towel.
Don’t pull it off; let it fall off naturally.Timing:
A good time for a bath is before a feed.
A bath after a feed might make them bring up their milk (posseting).Cradle Cap:
If you see flaky, yellow patches on their scalp (cradle cap), you can gently massage a little baby oil or petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) into it before their bath to help loosen the flakes.