It’s bath time! Getting your newborn in the bath can be tricky, but this bath time guide will help you navigate how to confidently give your newborn a bath.
Looking for more newborn essentials? Check out my Newborn Essentials here.
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Bath Prep
Before you start giving your newborn a bath, you’ll need a few items to make the process easy.
First, a bath seat so your baby can sit comfortably. A bath water thermometer to ensure you don’t make the water too hot. Some babies even have a preference for water temperature.
You’ll also need bath soap of your choice. Typically, it is recommended to start with unscented soap and as your baby gets older you can introduce fragrance.
Wash cloths or a swaddle blanket to drape over your baby when they are in the bath.
A bath rinse cup will help you rinse off your baby. If you are not using a sink, this will come in very handy.
A soft bath towel to dry off your baby. We love the muslin bath towels. They are soft and soak up the bath water very well. Quick tip: toss in the towel for a few minutes before your baby’s bath. When it’s time to take your baby out, they will be wrapped up in a warm towel.
Lastly, an unscented lotion for your baby’s skin, post bath.
Swaddle Bath
When you bring home your newborn, you may think, how do I give them a bath? They are so tiny. Swaddle baths are a good way to introduce bath time to your little one. You will need a bath seat and a swaddle blanket. We always used a muslin blanket because they were thin enough to layer and wrap around baby. Once you place baby in the bath seat with the swaddle draped around them, gently start pouring warm bath water over them. The swaddle blanket will keep them warm while you wash their little body.
Water Temperature
The water temperature for your baby’s bath is very important. Obviously you don’t want it to be too hot or the water way be painful. Too cold and your baby will get chilly.
A water thermometer is a useful to ensure the temperature is just right for your baby. Bath water between 98.6-100 degrees Fahrenheit should keep your baby nice and comfortable. As mentioned before, some babies have a specific temperature preference that you will come to know.
When to Give your Newborn a Bath
Determining when to give your baby a bath can be tricky. Some people like to do this in the morning, but many like to incorporate bath time into their baby’s bedtime routine. You want to try and choose a time when your baby is well rested and fed. This is the tricky part. During the newborn phase they may always seem hungry and tired, but the good news is bath time should not take too long. A quick five minute bath is really all your baby needs.
Looking for more newborn essentials? Check out my Newborn Essentials here.
Keep in Mind
Newborns don’t need baths very often. Their skin is very delicate and sensitive. A bath two or three times a week may be all they need.
Bath time may be a bit stressful starting out. The whole experience of bath time can be overwhelming for babies, but they will grow to enjoy it. Keep in mind, bath time does not need to be a long ordeal. It should be a quick in and out — washing their body and getting any dried milk cleaned up.
