How to Give a Baby a Bath

• By Colleen V.

Guide Note

Giving your baby its first bath can be a daunting experience. The good news is that by learning a few simple techniques, you can make bath time a relaxing bonding experience for you and your baby. Read on to learn How to Give a Baby a Bath.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• How Often?
• Where to Bathe Baby
• Basic Supplies
• Sponge Baths
• Tub Baths
• Bath Time Safety
• Conclusion
• Resources

Introduction

• Bathing a baby can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially for first-time parents. How can you be sure the water’s not too hot, or too cold? What kind of soap should you use, and how much? How often does a baby need to be bathed anyway? Questions abound, but luckily we’re here to give you the lowdown on bathing your little one.

How Often Should a Baby Have a Bath?

(Photo by Chrissi Nerantzi)

• The good news is that babies don’t really get all that dirty. Other than the occasional mess from spit up or a terribly messy diaper, there’s not too much they can do to make a mess of themselves.

Frequency for Newborns

• Newborns can get by with one or two baths per week, or every three to four days. Your main issue with a newborn will be spitting up. If it’s warm out, baby may get sweaty, and a bath may be required.

Frequency for Older Babies

• Older babies, six months and up, should be bathed two to three times per week. They sit up, and start eating some solid foods at this age, so their potential for messiness is a bit higher. Once they’re up and walking around, you’ll have to use your best judgment. If your little darling develops a love for mud, or wearing her applesauce, she’ll need to be bathed a little more often.

Issues With Bathing Too Frequently

• Baby’s skin is very sensitive, and it’s prone to drying out much easier than adult skin. Frequent use of soaps can dry and irritate sensitive skin. In addition, sitting in soapy water can cause urinary tract infections in girls.

Where to Bathe Baby

(Creative Commons photo by Cesar Rincon)

• The two main considerations when bathing a baby will be safety and comfort. The area should be warm, free of drafts, and away from dangerous objects. It should also be a comfortable place for you to work and provide enough room to have essential bathing supplies within arm’s reach.

1. Bathroom
   • Of course, the bathtub is the natural spot to bathe older children. But babies, whether newborn or small enough for a baby tub, have more options. Sometimes the bathroom floor is the perfect place to give baby a sponge bath or a quick soak in the baby tub. You have all of the essentials nearby, from water to towels, and you can keep the mess and moisture contained in one room. You can also place the baby tub directly in the bathtub, making access to water even easier.
2. Kitchen
   • Another place with ready access to water is the kitchen. The kitchen sink has been a ready standby for parents for a long time. It’s the perfect size to bathe a baby in, and it’s at a comfortable height for mom or dad to work. If you’re doing sponge baths, the kitchen counter (cleared of cooking implements, of course) or the kitchen table is a perfect spot, especially if you lay down a couple of towels or blankets to pad the area.
3. Nursery
   • The nursery may be more comfortable for some parents. The changing table or crib are available for sponge baths. It’s not the best option for a tub bath (who wants to lug bathwater back and forth?) It is a safe, restful place to give a newborn a sponge bath, however, and you will know that you have all of baby’s diapering and dressing supplies on hand.

Basic Supplies

(Creative Commons photo by winston & michelle)

• You’ll need the following basic supplies when bathing your baby:

1. Tub (if baby is old enough or comfortable enough with tub baths). Baby tubs are generally made of plastic, with a bit of padding inside for comfort. They can be found in a variety of price ranges and styles. Some fold for easy storage, while others are inflatable. More expensive doesn’t always mean better. Choose features that work for you.
2. Soaps and Shampoos. You should only use products specifically made for babies. Adult-grade soaps are just too harsh for babies’ sensitive skin. Some experts recommend not using soaps at all. In general, you should use the smallest amount possible. A tiny dab of liquid baby wash or baby shampoo is all you’ll need. Some parents prefer natural baby products. These products can often be more gentle than their conventional counterparts, but if your baby has very sensitive skin, even these can be a problem.
3. Cotton balls, wash cloths, and towels. Cotton balls are best for washing baby’s face, cleaning around the umbilical cord (with a little rubbing alcohol) as well as for gently cleaning baby’s genitalia. Baby wash cloths are generally small and less scratchy than typical wash cloths. It’s best to keep two on hand for baby’s bath: one for washing and one for rinsing. Baby towels are, of course, baby sized, but they also often have a little hood to keep baby’s head covered and warm.

Sponge Baths

(Photo by Scott Snyder)

• Newborns, especially those whose umbilical cord has not yet fallen off, should be given sponge baths. Even older babies may prefer sponge baths, especially if they don’t like the feeling of being immersed in water.

Supplies for a Sponge Bath

• To give your baby a sponge bath, you’ll need to collect the following before starting the bath:

1. Blanket or towels to lay baby on, as well as to keep baby covered up
2. Baby washcloths (preferably one for rinsing and one for soaping)
3. Baby soap and shampoo, if you are using them
4. Rubbing alcohol (to clean the umbilical cord, if it is still in place)
5. Cotton balls
6. Bowl or small container of warm water
7. Clean diaper
8. Clean clothes or pajamas

How to Give a Sponge Bath

1. Remove baby’s clothing, and cover or loosely wrap her in a towel or blanket.
2. Wash baby’s face by dipping a cotton ball in warm water. Gently clean the face, behind the ears, and the outer ear.
3. Using a damp washcloth (and soap, if you choose to use it) wash baby’s neck, chest, stomach, and arms. Use cotton balls and rubbing alcohol to clean around the umbilical cord. Wash her hands, being sure to wash between the fingers (since babies tend to keep their fists clenched, hands can get sweaty and need frequent cleaning.) Keep as much of her body covered as possible so she doesn’t get cold. Use the second washcloth immediately to rinse off the soap. Letting soap dry on the skin can cause irritation.
4. Wash the legs, feet, and toes with the washcloth, then rinse.
5. Remove baby’s diaper, then turn her over so she is laying on her stomach. Wash her back, buttocks, and the creases behind her knees. Rinse immediately.
6. Turn baby back onto her back and remove the diaper. Time to clean baby’s genitals.
   • To clean a girl, gently open the labia, and use a plain dampened cotton ball (no soap!) to wash around the vagina. Diaper cream tends to collect here, and it needs to be washed out. Always clean a girl from front to back.
   • To clean a boy, use a plain cotton ball to clean around the testicles, where diaper cream can collect. Clean the base of the penis, as well as the circumcision site, if baby has been circumcised. If he hasn’t, don’t pull back the foreskin to clean him. Doing so can cause irritation.
7. Wash baby’s hair by getting it damp with a washcloth, then massaging a pea-sized amount of shampoo (if you decide to use it) into the hair and scalp. Use your second washcloth to thoroughly rinse the shampoo out of baby’s hair.
8. Pat baby’s hair and body dry with a towel, then diaper and dress as usual.

Tub Baths

(Creative Commons photo by winston & michelle)

• Tub baths can begin anytime after the umbilical cord falls off, and after the circumcision site heals.

Supplies for a Tub Bath

• You don’t want to have to get a soaking wet baby out of the bath because you forgot something, and you should never, ever leave a baby unattended, even for a second, in water. For an older baby, you will need:

1. Baby bathtub
2. Baby washcloths (preferably one for rinsing and one for soaping)
3. Towel
4. Baby soap and shampoo, if you are using them
5. Clean diaper
6. Clean clothes or pajamas

How to Give a Tub Bath

1. Fill the baby tub, making sure the water is warm, but not too hot. A simple way to test this is to dip the inside of your wrist into the water. This sensitive area will let you know if the water is too hot for baby.
2. Place baby in the tub.
3. Gently wash baby’s face with a washcloth or cotton balls, no soap. Wash behind the ears as well.
4. Wash (using a tiny bit of soap if desired) baby’s neck, chest, arms, hands, legs, feet, and toes. Rinse soap off immediately.
5. Gently clean genitalia as instructed above under “Sponge Baths.”
6. Wet baby’s hair, and gently shampoo (if desired) and rinse thoroughly.
7. Remove baby from the tub. Be sure you have a firm grip—wet babies can be slippery!
8. Swaddle baby in a towel, and gently pat dry.
9. Diaper and dress as usual.

Bath Time Safety

• Safety is key when it comes to bath time. Here are some pointers:

1. Be sure the water is not too hot. You can use the inside of your wrist, as described above, to test the water, or you can purchase a bath thermometer from most department stores.
2. Set your water heater at 120 degrees. This will prevent accidents from scalding.
3. Never leave a baby unattended near water.
4. If you are bathing the baby on a table, countertop, or changing table, be sure to keep one hand on the baby at all times to prevent the baby from rolling or falling off of a high surface.

Conclusion

• Bath time can be stressful, but it can also be a great time to bond with your baby. By following the steps and safety advice outlined here, you can ensure a happy bath for you and your baby.

Resources for How to Give a Baby a Bath

• AskDrSears.com: Bathing Babies
• BabyCenter: How to Buy a Baby Bathtub
• iVillage Parenting: Bathing Baby: Your Safety Checklist
• iVillage Parenting: How to Bathe a Baby
• Mayo Clinic: Cradle Cap: Simple Treatments are Most Effective
• National Parenting Center: “Stop Washing Me, I’m Clean Enough!”
• Parents: Bathing Baby: Printout Guide
• Parenting: Bathing a Baby

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