Can I bath my newborn straight away?

You’ll be shown how to bathe your baby in hospital, or by your nurse-midwife if you had a home birth. Once you get home from hospital you can bathe your baby straightaway if you wish, especially if he seems to enjoy it and you want to incorporate it into his bedtime routine, but it’s not totally necessary since he won’t get very dirty. A sponge bath is sufficient to keep him clean at this stage

Avoid using bath products at first, even if they’re designed for babies, as they can dry out his skin. Warm water and cotton wool or a washcloth is all you need. ??If your baby’s cord stump hasn’t yet fallen off, be sure to avoid getting it wet in the bath – see your baby’s cord stump.

Many babies enjoy bath time, and it can be a good way of getting them used to being in and around the water from an early age. But even one bad bath time experience can put a baby off baths and water for a long time. ??The most important thing is to ensure he feels happy and safe, and that the room you’re bathing him in is warm enough (70 degrees or higher). Keep a tight grip on him too – babies are slippery when wet! See holding your baby in the bath. 

Bathing equipment

Baby bath For small babies up to four or five months, a specially designed plastic baby bathtub is ideal. Some baths fit neatly over the sides of the main tub and can be filled from the main faucet and drained directly into the main tub.

Bath thermometer Many moms find it hard to get the temperature of their baby’s bath absolutely right with the traditional ‘elbow test’, so it’s a good idea to invest in a bath thermometer.

Baby bath and shampoo If you do opt to use these, choose products aimed at babies as these are dermatologically tested and less likely to cause skin irritation.

Bath seat You can buy bath seats or supports to rest your baby on when she’s in the tub. It means you can have your hands free to wash and gently splash her, but you should never leave her unattended in one.

Bath toys Toys can help make bath time 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.

Bath safety

The bath can be dangerous for small babies and children. No child should be left unattended in the bath, even for a very short period of time – and don’t assume he’s safe just because he’s lying in a bath support or sitting in a bath seat. If the phone or doorbell rings, leave it –your baby’s safety is more important. Keep the water shallow (no more than three or four inches), monitor the temperature with a bath thermometer and use a non-slip mat to prevent your baby from slipping. Some faucets can get very hot and remain so long after the bath is drawn, so be sure to cover these with a washcloth or towel.

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.