The Best Baby Bath Supplies
Before bathing your newborn, it is important to gather all of the supplies you need for the bath and place it within arms reach. This makes sure that you have everything you need and can keep a hand on your child for safety the entire time.
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What Is A Swaddle Bath
If youve got a fussy baby, especially in the earliest weeks, a swaddle bath can help make babys first few bath times go a lot smoother.
A swaddle bath is when you loosely swaddle your baby before putting them in the tub, keeping your baby wrapped while theyre in the water. This helps them feel secure and warm, and it helps you keep a grip on your slippery, wiggly little one.
Heres how to do a swaddle bath:
Heres a helpful video showing how to do a swaddle bath.
If you give your baby a swaddle bath, the same guidance applies as for regular baths: dont bathe baby every day , make sure baby is sitting up in their tub or sink, use warm water and keep one hand supporting baby as much as possible.
Tips For Safety And Proper Bathing Technique For Your Newborn Include:
- Use a sink or an infant tub. You can place a clean towel into the sink to prevent slipping. Hard plastic infant tubs are usually equipped with a textured surface to prevent slipping as well.
- Keep a hand on your baby at all times. Place all of your bathing supplies within reach, so you never have to remove one hand from your newborn.
- Check and double-check the temperature of the water. The basin or sink that you are bathing your baby in should have no more than 2 to 4 inches of warm water. The water should be between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Check to make sure that your water heater doesnt heat your water over 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Keep your baby warm. Dont undress your baby until the water is ready and place them into the water immediately after undressing. Use the washcloth or your hand to pour warm water on your newborns body throughout their bath to keep them warm.
- Be gentle. Gently wash your babys body without scrubbing. Watch for the soft spots on their scalp. Try to keep the soap suds out of their eyes.
- Make it fun. Newborns wont use bath toys often, but you can talk or sing to your baby while bathing to keep them happy.
- Dry your baby off as soon as they get out of the water. Use a dry, soft towel to pat your newborns skin dry. If you want, you can use a bit of fragrance-free, hypoallergenic moisturizing baby lotion after the bath to help prevent dry skin and eczema.
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If Your Newborn Hates The Bath
You may think you are doing something wrong if your little one cries or otherwise protests during bath time. However, many newborns dislike being bathed at first.
One reason some babies resist bath time is that they dont like the sudden temperature change. You can lessen this transition by slowly getting your baby into the water. Wrap them in a towel at first and gradually immerse them in the water, keeping the towel on until they are all the way in.
You can also experiment with water temperatures to see what your baby likes best. And always have a warm towel ready when they come out so that the air on their wet skin doesn’t feel too jarring.
Some newborns tolerate baths better if you are holding them. As a result, many parents decide to bathe with their babies in their arms. This can be a wonderful bonding experience, but remember to keep safety in mind. Only bathe with your baby when you are fully alert, make sure you have a towel ready, and possibly another grown-up to hand your baby to when you are done. And dont use soaps and other bath products geared toward adult skin.
Finally, keep bath time fun for your baby! Newborns cant play with bath toys yet, but that doesnt mean they cant be entertained by them. Funny faces and games of peek-a-boo can be very helpful as well.
When To Give First Bath To Newborn
3 mins readThe World Health Organization recommends delaying the first bath until at least 24 hours after birth, as your little ones bath is one of the firstWhen to give baby their first bath, researchers at the Boston Medical Center increased the wait time for newborn baths to at least 12 hours after birth from its standard two to four.
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How To Give Your Baby A Bath
Get everything ready before you start your baby’s bath:
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Ensure that all the supplies you need like shampoo, soap, a hooded towel, and a cup for rinsing are within armâs reachânever leave your baby unattended in the bath, so make sure you have everything you need on hand, including your babyâs fresh change of clothes
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Make sure the room is warm before undressing your baby.
Follow these step-by-step guidelines for bathing your baby:
Line a sink or baby bathtub with a towel, and fill it about 2 inches full of warm water âtest it with your elbow or the inside of your wrist to make sure itâs not too hot
While supporting your babyâs head with your non-dominant hand, use your other hand to guide him into the water feet first. Youâll want to do this swiftly so he doesnât get cold, and youâll want to make sure his head and most of his body are above the water level
Wash his body from top to bottom with clear water, and, if you prefer, a mild baby soap. Keep him warm by pouring warm water over his body using a cup. Use a soft cloth to wash his face
If he has hair, itâs enough to shampoo once or twice a week. When you do, massage a drop of mild baby shampoo into his scalp, even the soft spots of his head. Be careful not to get any soapsuds or shampoo in his eyesâcup your hands over his forehead when rinsing his head. If some soap or shampoo does get into his eyes, go ahead and wipe them using a cloth dampened with clear water.
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How To Give Newborn Bath
Many people want to take bath after birth. Again many people think that bathing after the haircut or after reading a novel is better. But the rules are that after 48 to 72 hours of birth of healthy, normal children, bathing can be done. Before bathing should not be done.
To keep the baby clean, a regular bath will be done. Even if there is no frequent shower in the winter. During this time, after childbirth and urine, the baby should be kept very clean.
The person who will take a bath before bathing, his hands should be washed thoroughly with soap. Prepare the hot water for bathing or bathing in a bowl. Once again see that the water is not too hot. Before bathing, open the babys clothes and clean it if it is excreted and then the baby will have to take it down to the bath. You can give a slight detel or savlon in the bath water. Keep the matter in mind that the navel should not be soaked.
Remember, the child is exposed to water for the first time, so he may feel a little uncomfortable. Many newborns cry during this time. Bring the baby so slowly to the water. Shortly after the child will adapt to water. But if baby cry more then get out of the water. Use less alkaline soap, shampoo made specifically for the baby. When buying soap, take a look at its pH level. This level is below seven good.
Actually the entire process of bathing requires uninterrupted attention. So many people do not rush together, do any of the bushing work.
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When To Bathe A Newborn Baby
Your baby shouldnt be given a bath straight after theyre born as they need to stay warm8. But dont worry, the nurses will have given them a good clean8.
Many parents prefer to give babies a while to get used to their new surroundings, so will just give them whats known as a top and tail bath the first few times5.
Babys First Bath Tips For Bathing A Newborn
There are a lot of firsts when it comes to a newborn, such as their first feeding and their first diaper change. But one of the firsts that can make some parents a tad bit nervous is the first bath.
The thought of handling a slippery, squirmy little baby can be a bit anxiety provoking. You may also have lots of questions: When should you bathe them for the first time? How often should you bathe them? Where should you bathe themtub or sink? And so on and so forth.
Have no fear! Here are some helpful tips to make bath time lots of fun and stress-free.
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The Best Baby Bath Sink Insert
A newborn baby especially will need a little bit of support, and youll also want to make sure theyre comfortable. Some newborns really enjoy bath time, while others are a little timid and unsure about the water. Having the right product can help your little one enjoy bath time, and thankfully there are many products out there for this specific purpose.
For bathroom sinks:
Foldable bathtub inserts like this one are great for little ones because they are flexible but also comfortable. They give the right amount of cushion while still allowing your baby to be supported and safe in the sink. This particular one is BPA and PVC-free, mold and mildew resistant, highly rated, and fits most bathroom sinks easily.
For kitchen sinks:
Larger, foldable inserts like this one are perfect for deeper kitchen sinks. The design is super cute and functional at the same time because the petals can be moved around for extra support and many parents report that their baby absolutely loved it because it provided them a safe and warm place that helped them feel secure.
In fact, some said that their babies refused to take a bath without crying until they used the lotus insert!
Without an insert:
If you dont use an insert, things will get a little tricky and youll need to use one hand to support the baby or enlist your partner for an extra set of hands. Heres a short video from the Mayo Clinic explaining how to do this the old-fashioned way!
How to clean the kitchen sink for a baby bath
How Do You Give A Baby A Bath After The Umbilical Cord Falls Off
Once you bring your baby home, you can give them a sponge bath. You can clean their head, body, and diaper area. This is the safest way to bathe your baby until their umbilical cord falls off. Once the cord has fallen off on its own, you can begin bathing your baby by submerging their body in a shallow bath.
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Newborn Bathing After The Umbilical Cord Falls Off
Normally, your newborns umbilical cord will fall off within 2 to 3 weeks. However, sometimes it may stay on longer. After your babys cord has fallen off and the area is healed, you can try to bathe your newborn in water. If your baby protests and doesnt like the water, you may need to continue sponge bathing for a week or so and then try again.
How To Give Baby A Sponge Bath
Your newborn should be bathed with a sponge bath for the first few weeks of life. This is the simplest way to clean your baby before the umbilical cord falls off.
Sponge baths are also the best way to bathe boys who were circumcised while the circumcision site heals.
You can also give your baby a sponge bath anytime you want to wash one part or all of their body without getting them soaking wet.
Before giving your baby a sponge bath, make sure you have all the supplies you need within easy reach. Youll also want to warm up the room to keep your baby comfortable.
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Start The Sponge Bath
Now you can undress your baby and lay them flat. Put some mild baby wash on a soft washclothbut don’t overdo it, since newborn skin is prone to irritation. “Look for products that don’t have added perfume or dyes, which can irritate sensitive skin,” says Parents advisor Ari Brown, M.D., founder and CEO of 411 Pediatrics in Austin, Texas.
Wash their neck and scalp, then work your way down the front of their body. Make sure to clean between the folds of skin. Rinse the soap off with a second damp cloth, drying and rewrapping your baby with a towel as you go. Don’t wash the umbilical stump, and try to keep it dry.
Flip Baby over onto their belly with their head turned to one side. Repeat the washing, rinsing and drying. Wash their bottom and genitals last. If your son hasn’t been circumcised, don’t try to push back the foreskin.
Where To Bathe Your Baby
Most people will buy a smaller baby bath that they can put on the bathroom floor or inside their own bath, but the most important thing is to make sure both you and your baby are comfortable.
- Bathing your newborn in a baby bath. While your baby is still small, bathing them in a baby bathtub can be the easiest option as theyre often shaped to help support your babys head10.
- Using a full-sized bath. Using a full-sized bath can be a bit trickier until your baby is big enough to sit up properly and support themselves, usually at about six months old3.
- Sink bath. Bathing your baby in the sink is an old tradition, but just take care if you choose this option. Always remember to turn the tap away to avoid injury and use a foam insert or soft towels on the bottom of the sink to make it more comfortable for them.
For more tips for bathing your baby, head to the JOHNSONS Bathtime hub, where youll find more information around making the most of bathtime.
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Staging The Bath Area
Is Water Enough For My Babys Bath
For the first month, plain water is recommended for your babys skin5. After this, you should start to use a gentle cleanser, as water doesn’t remove the fat-soluble impurities left behind under nappies and clothes. If they remain, they can cause the delicate skin barrier to break down. And hard water alone can actually dry your babys skin11.
A gentle baby specific cleanser like JOHNSON’S® TOP-TO-TOE® Wash is recommended to help cleanse effectively because it:
Removes impurities including fats and oils
Provides mild and gentle newborn care
Is suitable for use from day 1
Is formulated to minimise the risk of allergies
Is pH skin neutral
Discover our full range of baby skin and hair products to find the perfect one for your newborn.
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How Often To Bathe A Newborn
Your baby doesn’t need a bath every day. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, three times a week is fine as long as you clean their face, neck, hands, and diaper area daily.
You’ll only need to give your baby sponge baths until the umbilical cord stump comes off , then you can move on to baths in his baby tub.