There are a lot of firsts you experience with a newborn, especially if you are a new parent. And one of the firsts that can make a parent extra nervous is the first bath. You may feel squirmish at the thought of handling a fragile, slippery little human in your hands and probably have tons of questions — when to bathe, how often should you bathe. But, fear not, here are some practical tips to make bath time with your newborn a lot easier and fun, too!
Tips for bathing a newborn
1. Switch off your phone while bathing your baby to keep you focused and less distracted.
2. Ensure you have everything you need within reach. For example, towel, washcloth, mild baby cleanser, clean clothes, clean nappy, and cream or ointment.
3. Avoid using soap as this will dry out your baby's delicate skin. Instead, use a mild baby cleanser if needed. To make it a little easier for you, use a head-to-toe cleanser instead of two separate cleansers for body and hair.
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4. Place the bath somewhere stable and safe and at a comfortable height for you to hold your baby.
5. Fill the bath with just enough warm water to clean your baby.
6. Ensure the bath water is around 37-38°C before you place your baby in the bath. If you don't have a thermometer, get a bath thermometer. Or, use your wrist or elbow to test the temperature — it should be comfortably warm, not hot.
7. Don't add extra water while your baby is in the bath.
How often to bath newborns
A bath 2-3 times a week for 5-10 minutes is adequate to keep your baby clean. But if your little one loves baths, you can give them a bath once a day. Bathing more than this can cause your baby's skin to dry out.
When to bath newborns
You can bath your newborn at any time of the day. It is a good idea you pick a time when you are relaxed and have minimal to no distractions. It is also best to avoid bathing your baby when they are hungry or straight after a feed. If bathing soothes your newborn, you probably want to use it as a way to settle your baby for sleep in the evening.
Where to bath newborns
Your baby can be bathed in a small plastic bath or even in the kitchen sink. The kitchen sink might be the best idea in the first few weeks. Use a plastic bath when your baby gets bigger. You can also shower with your baby but ensure to keep your baby's face away from the pouring water and use warm water, not hot.
Keep your baby clean between baths
If your newborn does not enjoy taking baths very much, you can give them a 'top and tail' bath one day and a proper bath the next. A 'top and tail' bath is when you clean only your baby's
- eyes and face
- hands
- bottom
Your baby can stay in their clothes while you give them a 'top and tail' bath. Or you can take their clothes off and wrap your baby in a towel.
