How to Bathe a Newborn

Newborns don't need to be bathed as frequently as older babies or toddlers. Their skin tends to dry out quickly, and if their umbilical cord stump hasn't fallen off yet, it's advisable to avoid using any bath tools other than a sponge for cleaning. When bathing a newborn, extra caution is required to prevent accidents.

Wipe your baby down with a sponge during the first three weeks. The umbilical cord stump will still be attached for about the first three weeks. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises waiting until the stump falls off before allowing your baby to be fully immersed in water. During this time, a sponge is all you should use to clean your baby.

• There’s no need to bathe your baby every day during the first week after birth. In fact, over-bathing can harm your baby’s skin. The face, neck, and diaper area are the only areas that really need attention, and a wipe for spit-up and a clean diaper will suffice. It’s fine to bathe your baby just a few times a week.
• If the umbilical cord stump hasn’t fallen off after three weeks, consult your pediatrician. It could indicate a more significant issue or simply require a minor intervention to remove the stump.

Prepare all the necessary items. You will need to gather a number of items in advance to ensure you have everything ready when it’s time to bathe your baby with a sponge. Make sure you have everything you need before starting the cleaning process for your baby.

• Find a warm, flat surface. It’s ideal to bathe your baby on the kitchen counter or a shelf in the bathroom. If the room is warm enough, you can also use a blanket on the floor.
• You will need a soft towel or a pad for the baby to lie on during the sponge bath.
• A small basin or shallow plastic tub for the bathwater.
• Prepare a bath towel, cotton pads, baby soap, wet wipes, and a clean diaper.

Wipe the baby down. Once you have all the necessary items, you can begin wiping down your baby.

• Always hold the baby with one hand. Newborns can't control their movements, so you need to secure them to avoid accidental harm during their movements.
• Start by undressing the baby and covering them with a towel. Lay the baby on their back on a towel or large cloth.
• Begin with the face. Moisten the towel and wring it out. Avoid using soap at this stage as it should not get into the baby's eyes. Gently wipe down the baby’s face. Use a damp cotton pad or a clean cloth to carefully clean the baby’s eyes and remove any eye crust. Wipe from the inside to the outside.
• For the rest of the body, you can just use water. However, if the baby is dirty or smells, use a baby-safe moisturizing soap. Be sure to clean the folds of the arms, ears, and between the hands and feet thoroughly.
• Only expose the areas you're currently cleaning. Keep the baby warm during the bath.

Choose a baby bath tub or basin. Once the baby’s umbilical cord stump has fallen off, you can bathe the baby in a tub or basin. It’s essential to select a baby-safe tub for bathing.

• You can buy a sturdy plastic baby bath tub, available in most baby stores or online. They also sell inflatable tubs that fit into your regular bathtub or sink.
• As long as the tub or sink is lined with a non-slip rubber mat, both options work well for bathing your baby.
• Fill the tub with warm water to a height of about 5 to 8 cm. Always keep one hand on the baby.

Ensure the baby’s safety in the tub. You must ensure the baby is safe while in the tub. Hold the baby in a way that they feel comfortable and don’t move too much.

• Always keep the baby secure but avoid making them uncomfortable.
• Use one arm to support the baby’s head and upper body, while your other hand bathes the baby. You can wrap your arm around the baby’s back. When cleaning the baby’s back and bottom, turn the baby to rest against your arm.
• You can also buy a baby bath seat from baby stores or online. However, even with a bath seat, you must always keep one hand on the baby.

Bathing a newborn. Each bath should not last more than 10 or 15 minutes.

• Before placing your baby in the bathtub, remove their clothes from top to bottom, leaving only the diaper. Wipe the baby’s face and eyes just as you would when using a sponge bath, using a damp towel without soap and a damp cotton pad to gently clean their eyelids.
• Afterward, remove the diaper. If it contains stool, clean the baby’s bottom and genital area before placing them in the tub. When lowering the baby into the tub, place their feet in first.
• You can use your hands, a sponge, or a damp towel to gently clean the baby. Feel free to use baby-safe soap. If the baby’s skin is dry, opt for a moisturizing soap.
• You can gently pour water over the baby’s body during the bath to keep them warm.
• Shampooing isn’t necessary unless the baby’s hair is dirty, or they have what’s commonly called cradle cap, which is flaky patches on the scalp. In that case, you can apply shampoo gently to the baby’s scalp. Lightly rub the hair with a towel or rinse under running water. Always be careful not to let shampoo get in the baby’s eyes.
• When done bathing, lift the baby out of the tub and quickly wrap them in a towel. Gently pat dry and dress the baby in clean clothes.

Check the water temperature. Water temperature is crucial for your baby's safety. You must ensure you know the right temperature that is safe and comfortable for your baby.

• It’s best to fill the tub with cold water first, then add hot water. Stir well to avoid any cold or hot spots in the water.
• Consider investing in a thermometer to ensure the water temperature is safe for a newborn. The ideal temperature is about 36.6°C, which is close to the body’s normal temperature. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can check the water temperature with your elbow.
• If the baby can reach the faucet during the bath, prevent them from touching it. As the baby grows, they will be able to turn the faucet on, which could be dangerous or cause fear.

Choose the right soap and moisturizers. While soap isn't always necessary when bathing a baby, if you choose to use soap, make sure it's safe for the baby.

• Never use scented or bubbly soaps. These can dry out the baby’s skin and cause irritation.
• Typically, water alone is enough. If you feel the need to use soap, choose a gentle, moisturizing baby soap that won't dry out the baby’s skin.
• Generally, you shouldn’t use additional moisturizers after the bath. Just drying the baby’s skin carefully, especially in the folds, is enough to avoid irritation. If you choose to use a moisturizer, ensure it’s hypoallergenic in case the baby has sensitivities to certain ingredients.

Never leave your baby unattended in the bathtub. Even if you leave the room for just a few seconds, leaving your newborn alone in the tub is extremely dangerous.

• Always prepare all the necessary items before placing your baby in the water so you won't need to leave the room for anything.
• If you must leave the room, always take the baby out of the tub first. Babies can drown in as little as 3 cm of water. Leaving them alone, even for a brief moment, can have serious consequences.
• If you are bathing your baby in high places like a bathroom sink, be cautious, as the baby may be at risk of falling and getting injured.