Getting Ready For A Baby Tub Bath
Select a plastic baby tub that meets current safety standards.
- It should have a sloped design and textured surfaces, designed to keep baby from slipping.
- An included sling or cushion, that can keep baby from sliding, may also help.
Keep the bathroom at a comfortable 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so baby won’t lose body heat too quickly.
- You can also have a warm washcloth ready to help keep baby’s exposed tummy warm while in the bath.
Before placing baby in the tub, fill the baby tub with about 2 inches of warm water. This should be just enough to cover the bottom of their body.
- Never fill the tub with baby inside!
The water should be comfortably warm — not hot, so it doesn’t burn baby
- Make sure the water isn’t too hot by testing it with your elbow or the inside of your wrist.
Gather all your supplies, and set them up within arm’s reach.
- You’ll need the same supplies you used for the sponge bath, minus the blanket and extra towel.
- Grab a cup to rinse off baby, instead of the bowl.
How Many Times A Week Does My Baby Need A Bath
Newborns dont need baths very often. They dont have much of an opportunity to get dirty, and bathing too often can cause your little ones skin to dry out. Usually, three times a week should be often enough to keep your baby clean, but not so often that their skin will dry out.
However, if you want to make daily baths a part of your newborn bath routine, it shouldnt affect your childs health. As long as your doctor says its okay, youre applying lotion, and you’re continuing to clean your baby after each diaper change, daily baths should be okay.
In between baths, be thorough when you’re cleaning your baby in other ways, like when youre changing their diaper or cleaning up spit up. You might also want to check all the little folds that your baby has to make sure there isnt a build-up of dirt.
When you bathe your little one, it doesnt really matter what time of day you do it. Baths at night can be a wonderful part of a bedtime routine, but if your little one is more of a morning baby, a morning bath may work better.
Its best to give your baby a bath when you dont need to rush, or you wont be interrupted. That way, you can keep your baby safe and clean them thoroughly. If your baby just ate, you should wait a bit for their stomach to settle down before you give them a bath.
Newborn Sponge Bath Success
With the information here, youre ready to enjoy your newborns first sponge bath! Follow the tips we mentioned, and sponge your little one off a few times a week to keep their skin clean.
In-between baths, turn to Certified Organic Micellar Water with Olive Oil and Aloe to keep your babys skin clean in a pinch.
Once your baby is old enough for a bath in the baby tub, gather the supplies you need, such as our Foam Shampoo for Newborns and Gentle Cleansing Gel or Certified Organic Cleansing Gel with Olive Oil and Aloe which can be used by the whole family! for a relaxing, gentle clean.
And remember that while bathing your baby might be intimidating the first time, youll be a pro before you know it!
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Sponge Baths Dont Always Have To Be Unhappy
Butunfortunately, they usually are.
Some babies will never like them no matter what you do,
and thats ok.
But just by trying these three easy steps of gathering everything you need before you begin, keeping them warm during the bath, and washing their hair under a faucet should definitely help your chances of your baby having a happier sponge bath.
Let me know down in the comments if youve found anything else in addition to these steps that helped your baby have a happier sponge bath!
Disclaimer:The content that I share on Purely Postpartum is not intended nor recommended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. I encourage you to always seek the advice of your own physician or other qualified health care professional regarding any medical questions or conditions.
About The Author
Leesa Johnson, RN, BSN, RNC-Maternal Newborn Nursing
Hi, Im Leesa! Im a Postpartum Registered Nurse and mom of three from San Diego, California.
Ive worked as a Postpartum Nurse for over eleven years, and prior to that I worked in the Newborn ICU for three years. I also work as a Postpartum Expert Practice Consultant for the California State Board of Registered Nursing.
I started Purely Postpartum because Im passionate about helping new parents and caregivers after childbirth.
Between my professional experience as an RN, and my personal experience as a mom, I have a lot of helpful information to share.
California RN Licence # RN727819
Why You Should Sponge Bathe Your Newborn
Experts recommend sponge baths for newborn babies whose umbilical cord stumps have not yet fallen off. Sponge baths are also a good option for boys who haven’t fully healed from circumcision. Keep in mind that daily baths aren’t necessary, and could dry out his delicate skin. Bathing three times a week will be just fine until your baby is a year old.
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Preparing For A Newborn Sponge Bath
- A commercial baby bathtub or a changing mat or other warm place to lay the baby, with a basin of water close by.
- You can also sit in a comfy chair with baby in your lap, with a basin of water close by.
- A room that is comfortably warm.
- A gentle baby cleanser made for a babys skin.
- Warm water that is around 98-100 degrees Fahrenheit.
- A towel for underneath the baby to protect yourself from water.
- A towel to cover the baby during the bath.
- A towel for drying your baby.
- A clean diaper and fresh clothes.
Bathe Thrice A Week After The Umbilical Cord Falls Off
Your baby doesnt need a daily bath in the early days. Bathing thrice a week will suffice during this period. In fact, more frequent baths may dry out their skin. Patting your baby dry and applying a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free moisturizer immediately after their bath can prevent dry skin. You could also use a natural moisturizer like virgin coconut oil.4
To give your baby a bath: Fill a basin with about 2 inches of comfortably warm water. Place your baby in the tub as soon as you undress them so they dont get cold. Support their head with one hand and use the other hand to gently guide them in. And tenderly clean them with a mild soap. Pour warm water over the body frequently so that they keep warm. Your babys first baths should be as brief and gentle as possible.5
Ayurvedic practices advocate a gentle oil massage using coconut, olive, or sesame oil before a bath. Wait for 15 to 20 minutes after the massage to bathe your baby. Finely ground green gram powder with 5 to 10% of soap nut powder mixed in can be used instead of soap to wash your baby. But do remember to do a patch test to ensure your babys not allergic to these or any massage oil that you use.6
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Bath Time Could Make Bedtime Easier
As much as we moms love our baby , we also love a good nights rest. The first few months of parenthood often feel like an endless sea of dirty diapers, feedings, and no sleep.
As baby grows, start developing a bedtime routine teach your child when its time to sleep. A warm, soothing bath is the best way to help your baby relax before nodding off. The ideal time to start developing a routine is around six to eight weeks .
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How To Clean The Scalp And Hair Of Babies
The baby’s head should be cleaned twice a week. Gentle baby shampoo should be used. Shampoo should be diluted and applied gently to the scalp and hair. The head should be rinsed by dabbing with wet washcloths. The baby’s head should be helped with water, and a gentle massage should be given with diluted shampoo. The hand should be kept on the forehead while pouring warm water. The parents should be very cautious while cleaning because if the shampoo foam enters the eyes, it hurts the child. Parents should gently take the clean brush if the child has a cradle cap.
Maintaining hygiene is essential for the maintenance of health care of the child. Bathing not only maintains hygiene but also helps prevent infection from a microorganism. It is one of the exciting milestones for parents. Parents should learn the process and bathe their babies without any stress. Bathing keeps the child calm, has a soothing effect, and induces sleep. Parents should know bath products, ingredients, and water temperature well. It helps develop a child’s emotional and physical bond with their parents.
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Babys First Bath At Home
Once you get your little one home, theres no set timetable for when to give baby her first sponge bath. Experts agree that the timing for bathing a newborn is up to the parents, and that theres no big rush. Many families are excited about giving a baby their first newborn bath at home, but waiting a few days is fine, says Justin Smith, MD, a pediatrician at Cook Childrens Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas.
Holly S., a mom of two, gave birth to her second baby at home and didnt bathe him for more than a week. Theres no need to wash them right away in most circumstances, she says. Any blood from the birth can be wiped off, and you just need to wipe their diaper areas thoroughly in the meantime. She also made sure to rub the vernix into her babys skin to get the most out of its antimicrobial and moisturizing properties.
Create Your Own Routine
As your child gets older, their bathing cadence can continue to be around three times a week. The older they get, the more they tend to run around and get dirty or sweaty, so bathing frequency should vary based on their activity level.
Some families prefer to create a bedtime routine for their baby as soon as possible, and this typically includes a bath, followed by a feeding. For other families, bath time is a bonding experience or a fun way for their child to play. If daily baths work best for your child and lifestyle, be sure to sufficiently and consistently moisturize their skin.
One thing we always emphasize with new parents: Whether your child is 6 months or 16 years old, do what works best for you. What matters is that theyre safe and clean. Other than that, no two families bathing habits need to be the same.
Want to feel more prepared for childbirth and baby-care basics? Call to enroll in prenatal classes today. To request a new patient appointment, call or request one online.
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How Often Should Kids Wash Up
I mean, as long as everyones talking about it…what about your toddlers stink? Per the Cleveland Health Clinic, toddlers and little kids only need a soak in the tub two to three times per week. Older kids ages six to 11 should hit the bath two to three times per week at a minimum, and tweens and teens should shower daily. But the experts note that these arent exactly hard-and-fast rules. If your toddler is throwing a temper tantrum and doesnt want to get in the bath, its no biggie. And if your big kid spent the day playing in the mud, then theyll need to hop in the tub even if its not their bath day.
Baby Bath: Time For A Sponge Bath
Gentle sponge baths are perfect for the first few weeks until the umbilical cord falls off, the circumcision heals, and the navel heals completely.
The basics of bathing a baby:
- First, undress baby — cradling the head with one hand. Leave the diaper on . Wrap baby in a towel, exposing only those areas that you are washing.
- Using a baby bath sponge or wash cloth, cleanse one area at a time. Start behind the ears, then move to the neck, elbows, knees, between fingers and toes. Pay attention to creases under the arms, behind the ears, around the neck.
- The hair comes toward the end of bath time so baby doesn’t get cold. While newborns don’t have much hair, you can sponge the few wisps that are there. To avoid getting eyes wet, tip the head back just a little. There’s no need for shampoo just use water.
- Now it’s time to remove the diaper and sponge baby’s belly, bottom, and genitals.
- Wash little girls from front to back. If there’s a little vaginal discharge, don’t worry — and don’t try to wipe it all away. If a little boy is uncircumcised, leave the foreskin alone. If circumcised, don’t wash the head of the until it’s healed.
- Gently pat baby dry. Rubbing the skin will irritate it.
Bath time is over, and your fresh little baby is ready for a clean diaper and clothes!
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Keep Your Baby Feeling Clean And Smelling Sweet
Lets review. How often should you bathe your newborn? Not often! With a bath two or three times a week, theyll stay clean and smell just like their sweet baby self! More frequent baths could dry out their delicate skin. Follow the steps and tips listed above to get your newborn clean and keep them safe, happy, and warm in the tub.
When Is The Best Time Of The Day To Bathe Your Kid
This depends on your schedule and personal preferences. Many parents find fitting a bath into the bedtime routine works well. A warm bath before bed can help your child relax, setting them up for better sleep.
Bathing with your baby or toddler is a wonderful chance for skin-to-skin contact, important for bonding, breastfeeding, and even brain development.
Helping your child take a bath after a busy day offers a welcome opportunity to wind down and chat about your day, reconnecting if youâve been apart.
If your child seems stressed or complains of boredom, a bath can lift their mood and give you a chance to check in and find out whatâs going on.
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Learn How Frequently You Should Bathe Your Newborn According To Experts As Well As Tips For Preventing Eczema Outbreaks Between Baths
Bath time with your baby might be part of your nightly ritual, but doctors actually don’t recommend daily baths for babies. Excess exposure to water can zap their skin of moisture and worsen conditions like eczema. Then again, not bathing your baby often enough can also aggravate eczema, plus lead to other infections.
“It’s a delicate balance,” says Scott Grant, M.D., MPH, FAAP, at Detroit Medical Center’s Children’s Hospital of Michigan. But bathing itself is probably not the entire problem: “The use of bath products, including lotions that contain dyes or fragrances, can react with babies’ skin to make eczema worse even if there isn’t a ‘bath,'” says Dr. Grant.
So how often should you bathe a newborn? Read on for the guidelines.
Additional Newborn Bath Tips
- As you move from one area of the body to another, change the washcloth parts to keep the clean cloth on cleaner parts of the body.
- Pat the skin with a washcloth and blot dry with a towel rather than vigorously scrubbing, which may irritate your bathing babys sensitive skin.
- Spot-cleaning works best for babies who do not like either a total sponge bath or an immersion bath. Clean the areas that get the oiliest, sweaty, or dirty.
- Clean the eyes on an as-needed basis rather than during the regular bath. Infants often protest eye cleaning, which may set off a protest for the entire bath. Using cotton balls and warm tap water , wash accumulated discharge out of the corners of your babys eyes.
- Cotton-tipped applicators are handy when cleaning little crevices in and behind the outer ear, but never try to clean inside the ear canal, as you may damage the canal or eardrum.
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When To Give Babys First Bath
It used to be the norm at hospitals to whisk newborns away right after birth for a bath. Not anymore. Recommendations have shifted in favor of waiting at least a few hours, if not longer, for babys first bath .
Research indicates that there may be significant physical and emotional benefits to delaying that initial newborn bath. Since young babies are especially sensitive to cold, it can decrease cold stress, says Katherine Williamson, MD, a pediatrician at Childrens Hospital of Orange County in Orange, California. Cold-induced stress can cause the body to work to keep itself warm, which can cause blood sugar levels to drop, she explains, citing studies that show delaying babys first bath decreases rates of hypothermia and hypoglycemia. Plus, babies are born with a waxy, cheese-like coating on their skin, called the vernix, which you dont want to wash off, Williamson says, since it helps retain heat and can serve as an additional barrier to infections. In addition, a 2013 study found that delaying babys first bath in the hospital until at least 12 hours after birth led to an increased breastfeeding success rate, since mom can nurse more quickly and have more time for skin-to-skin bonding, Williamson adds.