How to Give Your Baby a Bath: Baby Bath Tips For Stress-Less Tub Time
Bath time is about so much more than just getting your baby clean! It can soothe your baby if they are fussy, help your baby wind down and get ready to sleep, and become a ritual that strengthens the bond between the two of you as you sing, talk, splash, play in the tub, and shower your baby with love.
Are you unsure of how to bathe a baby? Read our baby bath tips and get ready to tackle bath time with confidence.
When is Baby Ready for the Tub?
If you have a newborn, follow these newborn bath time tips:
- Sponge baths are best for delicate newborn skin
- Wait until your baby’s umbilical cord falls off to transition to a baby bathtub
- Choose a hard, plastic tub with smooth edges and a newborn insert that supports your baby and keeps them from slipping in the water
By the way…your baby won’t need a daily bath. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends you bathe your infant three times a week until their first birthday. On in between days, be sure to thoroughly clean the diaper area and skin folds with a soft washcloth.
Get Ready
The most important baby bath time tip of all? You should never leave your baby alone in the tub, even for a minute, so get everything ready before you begin. Babies get chilly easily so make sure the room is warm and draft-free, then gather all the supplies you need, including:
- A soft washcloth
- A hooded towel
- Tear-free baby wash
- Baby lotion
- A small cup for rinsing
- Clean clothes and diaper
Make the Water Just Right—and Keep It Clean
Fill the tub with about 2 inches of warm water. Remember that your baby’s skin is more sensitive than yours so it’s important that the water is not too hot or too cold. You can test the temperature by dipping your elbow into the water, or you can get a tub that regulates the water temperature, like the 4moms Cleanwater Tub, which has a built-in, color-coded digital thermometer that shows a green “Comfort Zone” when the temperature is just right and will alert you if the water is too hot or too cold.
And we’ll be blunt: chances are, during bath time your baby will poop or pee in the tub. It happens—but that doesn’t make it any less gross. That’s why 4moms designed the Cleanwater Tub to provide a constant flow of clean water. The tub has a clean water reservoir that supplies fresh water for rinsing your baby and a side drain that lets dirty water flow out.
It’s Tub Time!
Once you’ve got the tub filled and your supplies ready to go, it’s time to get started. Gently slide your baby into the tub feet first, keeping one arm under their head and the other one under their bottom. A good tip for baby bath time is: be sure to keep one hand on your baby at all times so they don’t slip.
Pour a small amount of baby wash on a damp washcloth and, while carefully cradling your baby’s neck, gently wipe baby’s face and head—don’t forget behind the ears!—before moving on to their hands, feet, armpits, and diaper area. Be sure to thoroughly clean any folds on baby’s arms, legs, and neck. Use a small cup to rinse away soap—to avoid getting soapy water in your baby’s eyes, you can cup your hand on their forehead to stop water from flowing into their eyes—then wrap your baby up in a fluffy hooded towel and gently pat them dry before putting on fresh clothes and a diaper.
You may find bathtime tricky at first, but before you know it baby’s bath time will become a natural part of you and your baby’s routine that you both look forward to!
