So you have a brand new addition to the family. Congratulations! These early days with your newborn can be so full of wonder, awe, love, and a full range of emotions and…questions. All the questions. Questions like “How do I bathe my newborn?” and “Why are babies so slippery?!” Hopefully, this easy how-to can help you answer at least one of those questions.
First and foremost: Don’t panic. Bathing your newborn is not as tricky as it seems. These simple steps will help prepare you for your baby’s first (and subsequent) baths. Soon enough, bathing your baby will become second nature to you, like changing diapers.
Gather Your Supplies
You will want to gather all your supplies before starting the bath. Place everything right within reach, so you don’t have to look for anything.
- Baby bathtub (or a sink will do just fine)
- Towel or baby bath cushion like this Blooming Bath Lotus Seat (to prevent baby from slipping around and add a soft cushion to an otherwise hard surface bath towel)
- Washcloth
- Gentle wash formulated for baby
- Little cup to use for rinsing
- Hooded bath towel
- Baby oil or lotion for after bath
- Clean diaper
- Change of clothes
Choose the Location for the Bath
Should you bathe your baby in the kitchen sink or the bathtub? This is a personal choice, and it really just depends on what works for you in current circumstances.
Sink
Many parents choose the sink to bathe their baby in the early days for several reasons:
- One such reason is that it can be much easier on Mom, who’s presumably just given birth, to bathe baby in the sink while standing, rather than kneel down and lean over a tub, which can be quite uncomfortable for Mom, especially after a Cesarean section.
- Sink bathing makes it easy to have all your supplies at the ready, as you can lay them out right next to the sink basin on the countertop, well within reach.
If you go this route, be sure to clean your sink thoroughly before using it as a bath, being mindful of the product(s) you use to clean it so as not to irritate the baby’s skin.
Having that bath flower or sponge, or hand towel, to lay in the sink to prevent slipping will really come in handy. The bath flower is ideal because it can fit the shape of the sink, and the petals of the flower can nestle the baby’s body and prevent contact with the hardness of the sink.
Baby Bath
If you use a baby bath, you can easily use the bath flower, mat, or towel in much the same way. You can just set your baby bath within your bathtub and fill it with a little water. Simple!
Bathe with Baby in the Tub
Another option to consider is bathing with your baby. Many parents find this method a relaxing way to nurture the skin-skin contact and bonding period with their newborns.
If you’d like to go this route, again, be sure you have your towels and washcloths ready tub-side. Match tub water to your body temperature, don’t fill the tub too high, and be sure you get in first. Then have your partner hand your baby to you.
You may even want to wear Evridwear Exfoliating Bath Gloves to give you a better grip on that slippery newborn. If you are breastfeeding, try nursing your baby in the bath. Skip the soap and just use the warm water to gently clean your baby.
Bathing Your Newborn
The purpose of these steps is so that you can be fully prepared for your baby’s bath routine, including the post-bath routine, before getting sudsy, because once you begin, you won’t be able to step away to grab that thing you forgot.
Breaking it down into “ten simple steps” may actually make something as simple-sounding as a bath seem even more complicated than it is, but trust that it will become second nature in a couple of weeks or after a few baths, just like changing diapers will.
- Gather all the things to have at the ready. Set them up however you will need them.
- Place your bath sponge or towel in the sink or tub and add water, 2-3 inches at most. Make sure water temperature is just right, between 90-100 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place your babe in the bath or sink while supporting their head and bum with each hand. Keep baby’s head and neck well above the water at all times. You can use one arm and hand to support your baby and the other to bathe.
- Add a drop or two of baby soap to your washcloth and lather up.
- Begin with your baby’s head and face, behind the ears, and in the little neck folds.
- Then wash your baby’s torso, arms, and legs. Use your cup to slowly pour warm water over them to keep warm and rinse off the soap suds.
- Be sure to get all the little folds and crevices, paying careful attention to your baby’s genitals. For girls, be sure to wash front to back to prevent bacteria from entering the vagina. For boys, wash back to front.
- Carefully remove your little one—they will be slippery! Then wrap baby in a soft, dry hooded towel, patting baby dry gently, paying extra attention to all the creases and folds where excess moisture collects and can cause irritation.
- Apply baby oil, lotion, or skin moisturizer all over. Baby’s delicate skin can dry out easily and loses moisture in the bath, so it is important to rehydrate it and lock in moisture.
- Diaper and dress, then exhale—you did it!
Safety Tip: Do not turn your back on the baby while in the bath, not even for a second. Never leave your baby unattended in the bath or near the bath. You should also take caution that your water temperature is not too hot or too cold.
When Can You Bathe a Newborn?
It is ideal to wait until at least 24-48 hours after birth to sponge bathe your baby. This allows them to acclimate to life outside the womb and begin to regulate their body temperature a bit better.
Another reason for waiting is that your baby will likely have a coating of vernix on their skin, which is extremely beneficial to your little one as it has antibacterial properties and serves as a protective coating for your baby’s thin and delicate skin.
Doctors recommend you wait until the umbilical stump has fallen off to fully submerge a baby in water, which usually takes about 1-3 weeks.
How Often Should You Bathe a Newborn?
You can sponge bathe your baby as often as daily, but until the baby starts really crawling around and getting dirty, a daily bath isn’t really necessary. A couple of baths a week should suffice until then.
However, it is important that you maintain some sort of daily hygiene routine for the baby. All those little creases and cracks and folds in their delicate skin are prone to irritation and infection if not kept clean and dry. There are easy ways to make sure your little one stays clean, such as Mustela No-Rinse Micellar Water and Aveeno Baby pH-Balanced Cleansing Wipes.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—everything you need to know about how to give your newborn a bath. Before you know it, you’ll be a pro! And in the meantime, remind yourself that you can do this, and you are a great parent!
Common Newborn Bathing Mistakes (And How to Get It Right by Week 2)
Many well-intentioned parents make the same bathing mistakes with their newborns—mistakes that can make the experience stressful for both baby and parent. Understanding what NOT to do is just as important as knowing the right technique, especially in those critical first two weeks.
Mistake #1: Using Water That’s Too Hot or Too Cold
What parents do wrong: Many parents assume that if the water feels comfortable to their hand, it’s safe for baby. However, a newborn’s skin is far more sensitive than an adult’s.
Get it right: By week 2, you should be testing water temperature with a reliable thermometer, aiming for 90-100°F (32-37°C). Always test with your elbow or a thermometer—never rely on your hand alone.
Mistake #2: Bathing Too Frequently or Using Harsh Products
What parents do wrong: New parents often over-bathe their newborns or use regular adult soap, thinking more cleaning equals healthier skin.
Get it right: Newborns only need 2-3 baths per week for the first few weeks. Always use gentle, fragrance-free baby wash formulated specifically for newborn skin.
Mistake #3: Not Supporting Baby Properly
What parents do wrong: Inadequate head and neck support causes parents to tense up, which transfers to the baby, making both anxious.
Get it right: By week 2, you should feel confident cradling your baby’s head in your non-dominant hand while supporting their body with your forearm. This secure hold prevents slipping and builds your confidence.
Mistake #4: Rushing or Being Unprepared
What parents do wrong: Starting a bath without all supplies within arm’s reach leads to panic and unsafe situations.
Get it right: Always gather everything before beginning. This simple habit, established by week 2, transforms bath time from chaotic to calm and prevents you from ever leaving baby unattended.
Mistake #5: Forgetting to Keep Baby Warm
What parents do wrong: Exposing too much of baby’s body at once causes rapid heat loss and discomfort.
Get it right: Wash one section at a time, keeping the rest of baby covered with a warm, damp washcloth. Have your hooded towel ready to wrap baby immediately after rinsing.
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