Your Baby’s First Bath

Giving your baby their first bath is an exciting milestone! While many babies love bath time, their first bath can bring many unknowns. The thought of bathing your slippery, tiny, and squirmy baby may be an overwhelming one, but you will be a master at bath time in no time, and we are here to help. Let’s dive into preparing for your baby’s first bath!

When should you bathe your baby for the first time?

Families choose to give their babies their first bath sometime between 24 hours and two weeks after birth. The World Health Organization recommends waiting at least 24 hours to bathe your baby to preserve the vernix, which is known to help keep your baby’s temperature regulated, help with bonding, and promote breastfeeding. Whether you would like to bathe your baby after twenty-four hours or wait a week, it’s your choice. Keep in mind that your new baby will not be exercising or touching the ground, so bath time is not as much of a necessity as it is for older kids and adults. They won’t need bath times as regularly as other family members; however, If you’d like to bathe your baby more often or daily, go for it!

Environment

Before each bath time, it is recommended to check the temperature of your house and make sure that it is between 68- 72 degrees. Caregivers should be relaxed and alert, and the baby should be fed and content.

Step by step instructions for your babies first bath

A sponge bath can be given in any room of the house! Some good options to bathe your baby are a changing table pad, their baby bathtub, or simply bathing the baby in your lap.

Disclaimer: Your baby may love their first bath, but they also may get frustrated and overwhelmed! Their first bath doesn’t have to take long. It can last as little as one or two minutes!

Start by preparing for their first bath. Gather all needed items (given below)
Start by dipping the washcloth into your bowl of warm water. Be sure of the temperature. You can test it by placing the wet washcloth on the inside of your wrist. If the washcloth feels too hot or too cold, adjust the temperature of the water and test again. If you are using soap, you can either put a dab on the washcloth or use an additional bowl with soapy water.
Next, start by gently washing their face and any milk or dirt that has been collected. Be careful to avoid their eyes and ears as well as their belly button during this process.
Wash their body, such as head, underarm, feet, hands, and creases.
If you are giving a sponge bath, take your baby’s diaper off now.
To wash your baby’s genitals, use a clean washcloth (washcloth number two). Remember, clean front to back. If you are using soap, we recommend making sure to rinse with the water only washcloth thoroughly afterward.
Next, be sure to dry the area completely.
Slowly take your baby out of the bath, and place them in a clean, dry towel, then dry your baby.
When your baby is completely dry, apply diaper cream as needed.
Dress them in your favorite onesie for their cute after-bath photo moment.
Pat yourself on the back, you just bathed your baby for the first time!

Sponge bath

If you’d like to bathe your baby before the umbilical cord stump has fallen off, you can give them a sponge bath.

What is needed for a sponge bath?

Two washcloths, one for soap and one for water only
A bowl with warm water
Baby body wash or soap (optional)
A towel to wrap them in after
Baby lotion
A clean diaper
A clean onesie for dressing them after

Your baby’s first tub bath

After your baby’s umbilical stump falls off, they are ready for their first tub bath. This can be a lovely time for parents to connect with and bond with their baby. There are a couple of different ways that this can be done.

Shared tub bath

The first is a shared bath. This can be a lovely time to bond with your baby. Most babies feel safe and secure when they are close to their parents’ bodies, and a shared bath can be a great time for skin to skin. Please remember that babies can’t handle hot water. The water in the bath should be warm but mild. It is important to get in the bath first and have your baby passed to you once you are settled and in a comfortable position.

Helpful tip: Sometimes, bringing a wet hand towel or swaddle blanket into the bath and placing it on your knees, and then placing your baby on your knees can be a great way to Co-bathe. The cloth can help give you a better grip with a slippery baby.

Solo tub bath

The second option is bathing your baby in a baby bathtub. This is also a great way to bond with your baby! The first time you bathe your baby in their own bathtub can feel like a huge milestone. The first couple of baths can be a great bonding time for your whole family.

Helpful tip: place their bath on a countertop that’s not too low down. That way, when you are bathing your baby, you are not hunched over the whole time.

Consider making bath time a family group project!

The first couple of times you bathe your baby, you may be getting your technique down. An extra set of hands can be beneficial at first! Bathing your newborn is a great project to do with either your partner, a friend, or a family member. Plus, you will want someone there to help capture the cuteness in pictures! Also, consider having your partner hold a warm towel and placing your baby into their hands and the towel after bath time.

Try to have fun

Remember to have fun! To set yourself up for success, be sure to choose a time when you feel relaxed, and your baby is calm. It takes a while to get comfortable, and it’s okay to give it a try, and if it’s not going well, stop and try again later. The first couple of times you bathe your baby, you may be getting your technique down. That’s okay; soon, you will be the baby bathing master! Try to have fun with it. Sometimes families will play baby music, sing to their baby, and of course, take cute baby bath pictures!

Thank you for reading this week’s blog “Your baby’s first bath!” For more helpful tips and tricks on all things pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenthood tune into our other weekly blogs.