Bathing your baby
Most babies love bathtime, and it can be a good way of getting them used to being in and around the water from an early age.
By the same token, even one bad bathtime experience can put some children off baths and water for a long time.
The most important thing about bathing your baby is that he feels secure while in the bath. It’s a foreign environment for him and he will be a little apprehensive, so reassure him as much as possible. A small baby won’t need a full bath every day, and you can simply top-and-tail him, using a bowl of warm water, baby lotion and a soft cloth or flannel to wash his top half and nappy area. Avoid using soap (even baby soap) or wipes until he is at least six weeks old. Try and give him a full bath every couple of days.
Bathing equipment
Baby bath: for small babies up to four or five months, a specially designed plastic baby bath is ideal. Some baths fit neatly over the sides of the main bath and can be filled from the main bath tap and drained away directly into the main bath.
Bath seat: the big advantage of a bath seat is that you have both hands free to bathe your baby. Seats generally come in two different types – seats for small (non-sitting babies) and seats for babies who can sit. The former are generally moulded seats on which your baby sits reclined, supported under his arms and between his legs; the latter is simply a round seat with arm rests. Both should have suckers that attach firmly to the base of the bath to prevent slipping. Always check that the seat you are buying will fit into your bath, as some can be very wide.
There are also sponge supports available, which are basically sponges about the size of your baby that are immersed in water, which your baby lies on with her head and neck out of the water. There are also baby floats, nests and tummy tubs on the market – all of which support your newborn safely in the bath. Which one you buy depends on you and your baby: some supports are ideal for smaller babies: for example, the tummy tub (basically an upright tub which your baby sits in). But some mums feel confident enough to hold their babies in the bath with no additional support.
The most important thing to remember is to never leave your baby unattended in the bath, not even for a moment. Even with the plastic bath seats that hold your baby in place, you must never leave your baby alone.
Bath thermometer: make sure the room is warm, then run the bath 2-3 inches (5-7cm) deep using first cold, then hot water. It can be hard to get the temperature absolutely right with the traditional “elbow test”, so it’s a good idea to invest in a baby bath thermometer. From 36-38°C (96-100°F) is ideal. If you put your elbow in, it should be comfortably warm. Also, to prevent accidental scalding, turn your household water heater down to 49 degrees °C/120 degrees F.
Baby bath and shampoo: always use specially designed baby bath soap and shampoo to wash your baby. Until the age of 12 weeks, babies’ hair can be washed with a mixture of bath lotion and water.
Bath safety
Baths can be dangerous for small babies and children. Never leave a child unattended in the bath, even for a moment - a child can drown in less than an inch of water and in less than 60 seconds. Keep the water shallow (no more than 5-7cm centimetres) and use a plastic, non-slip mat to prevent your baby from slipping. Some taps can get very hot and remain so long after the bath is run, so be sure to cover these with a flannel or towel.
Holding your baby in the bath:
With very small babies you will need to support his head and shoulders with one hand, and put your fingers under his armpit. When taking him out of the bath, make sure you have your towel already laid out nearby, and hold him very carefully, as wet babies can get very slippery.
Bath toys
Toys can help make bathtime fun, as long as they are safe. Toys for the bath need to be clean and waterproof and preferably made from plastic which will not disintegrate over time. Bubble bath can be fun for older babies, but do check in case the bubble bath irritates their skin.
Drying your baby
Keep heat loss to a minimum after the bath by keeping the room warm, wrapping your baby in a hooded towel and drying him immediately before putting his nappy on. Once his nappy is on, cuddle him up in a (dry) towel for around ten minutes to make sure he's warm.
Good luck with Bathing your newborn.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 21/05/2007
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