Bathing baby is pretty nerve-wracking. If you were to hold a poll amongst new parents to find out what their most stressful experience is with their newborns, chances are that baby bath time will feature high.
But like with most things in life, once you have taken the plunge (pun intended), it gets easier. Although with all babies being different, some love water while others detest it and will wriggle so much you’ll need at least three parents to do the job. Two parents to wash the baby, and one to pour a stiff drink for after.
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Who said bathing baby was magical?
When you’re still new to this game, you’re bound to have a lot of questions about this so-called magic ritual. And parenting books and websites don’t always cover the nitty-gritty questions you might have.
So always here to help you, we answer your burning questions- based on many years of experience & thorough research of parenting forums. Who knew there was so much information on bath time out there?
Don’t forget:
Please remember: never leave your baby out of sight when she’s in the bath. Your baby can drown in the bath if you don’t keep an eye on her. So make sure you have everything you need in the bathroom before putting your baby in the bath and don’t leave the room until after bath time.
When can I start bathing my new-born?
Your midwife or health care professional will show you how to wash your new-born for her first time. She will want to give you confidence, so take your time and ask all the questions you need. At first, she still has her umbilical cord attached, so you’ll need to keep the stump dry. To avoid that area getting wet, a quick sponge bath, where she lies securely on a padded surface, is recommended by What To Expect.
Once her stump has healed, she is ready for a bath in a baby tub bath. This is usually between one and four weeks after her birth.
How often should I bath my baby?
The American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) advises three times a week until your baby’s first birthday. This is perfectly adequate as long as you clean up your baby thoroughly with wipes after changing her nappy. Obviously, with babies being babies, you might find some situations to sticky to ignore. Wipes can only do so much!
When can I start bathing my baby every day?
See above; there is no need to bath your baby every day. In fact, the AAP recommends bathing baby three times a week, as it’s easier on your baby’s skin. If you do prefer giving more baths, consider using a gentle soap only three times a week.
How do I prepare the bath?
- Gather these supplies:
- 2 baby bath towels
- 2 washcloths
- 2 nappies (one just in case)
- clean clothes/onesie
- gentle baby shampoo (if using)
- any bath toys or bath books (if using)
2. Make sure the bathroom is nice and toasty (this can make the difference between drama and magical for baby and you when bathing baby)
3. Run the bath check if the temperature is just right.
4. Make sure your baby isn’t hungry, just fed, or too tired.
5. Wash and dry your hands, and warm them up
How do I fill the bath?
- Always put cold water in first before adding hot.
- For safety reasons, make sure you only fill it to around 8 to 10cm of water. This will allow your baby to move her arms and legs freely.
How do I put my baby in the bath without dropping her?
Use both of your hands and gently lower her into the water on her back. Support her head, shoulders, and her back with both of your hands, while doing so.
What is the best method for bathing baby?
- Always keep one hand under your baby’s head to support him.
- Use your other hand to wet his body.
- Babies usually only have a small bit of hair: just rinse his head by pouring water over it with your hand.
- Rub his skin very gently with s clean washcloth.
- Gently wrap your baby in a cozy bath towel and rub him gently dry.
- Put on a clean nappy and put him in his jammies.
- Congratulate yourself on a job well done!
Should I always bath her before bed?
There are no rules as to when you should give your baby her bath. Personally I found it best to make sure my baby wasn’t hungry or not just fed. In fact, just before bed always worked out great. It certainly sent my babies always off to sleep, as it eased them into their nighttime routine.
What bathtub should I use?
When your baby is tiny still, you can use the sink or even a small baby bath. Lots of parents opt for the Little Guapo Blooming Flower Bath Lotus when they’re using their basin.
If you’re looking for a lovely soft but sturdy, foldable tub, then this might be just what you have been searching for.
Hugging your baby with its supportive extra large petals, your baby will love bathtime. It will fit in the sink or the bath, depending on how you arrange the petals. Thanks to its suction cup, it will stay put on any smooth surface.
Also, this bathtub dries in no time thanks to its non-toxic and organic Tencel exterior and is easy to hang up by the attached hook.
This bathtub can be put machine washed using the gentle cycle.
Better for smaller babies.
Size: 14.3 x 11.9 x 4.6 inches.
Another parent’s favorite is the Shnuggle Baby Bath Tub.
This small, light and easy to store bathtub will ensure a drama-free bathtime, thanks to the comfy large foam backrest which will be warm on baby’s skin.
To use this tub for newborn, make sure you support his head with one hand. As he grows, he will be able to sit up by himself, and you can bath him handsfree.
Save water every bathtime, as this bath will only use 2 liters of water.
Free from chemical nasties, this bathtub is BPA free.
Size: 25 inch x 16.25 inch x 15 inch
When should I start using soap and shampoo on my baby?
Don’t use it at the start. You’ll only need to wash your newborn baby with plain water, as her skin is sensitive. Once she turns 6 weeks, you can begin to use a mild, natural soap. Also, she will only need a small drop of baby shampoo from that age. This great one was recommended to me by my health care worker. It’s free from chemicals, hypo-allergenic, and even vegan-friendly. I found that it really did the job.
What are the best baby towels to use after bathing baby?
There are so many cute and adorable bath towels out there, it’s hard to make a choice. But we would advise not to skimp on the quality. Buy a towel that is super soft and made without any nasty chemicals-just to protect the baby’s delicate skin. Most towels are made from 100% organic cotton, bamboo, or a mixture of both. Have a look at our round-up of best baby bath towels, and you’ll get the gist.
Should I cut my baby’s toenails after her bath?
Yes, the best time for cutting your baby’s finger-en toenails is right after her bath. They are nice and soft then, and your baby is pretty relaxed. Always make sure you use special baby nail scissors with rounded edges and don’t cut down too far.
How should I clean out the baby tub?
Fret no more, we have listed the best way to clean out your baby tub here.
