Bathing a newborn

How often to give your newborn a bath

A bath 2-3 times a week is enough to keep your newborn clean. But if your baby really likes baths, you may bath him even more often. Too often bathing (more than once daily) can dry out your baby’s skin.

You can keep your baby’s genitals clean between baths by using warm water and cotton wool.

About 5-10 minutes is long enough for a newborn bath. This is especially important if your baby has dry or sensitive skin.

A ‘top and tail’ bath is when you use cotton wool and warm water for your baby’s eyes and face, and a washcloth for her hands and bottom. ‘Topping and tailing’ means you can concentrate on the areas that really need a wash, and your baby can keep most of her clothes on while you do it.

When and where to give your newborn a bath

You can bath your baby at any time of the day. It’s a good idea to pick a time when you’re relaxed and you won’t be interrupted. And it’s best to avoid bathing your baby when he’s hungry or straight after a feed.

If your baby likes a bath and it seems to relax her, you can use bathing as a way to help settle her for sleep in the evening.

You can give your newborn a bath in a small plastic bath or even in the kitchen sink. A plastic baby bath is probably the best option once your baby gets bigger.

Setting up a newborn bath: tips

Here’s how to get ready for a newborn bath:

• Take the phone off the hook or turn your phone off while bathing baby. You’ll be less likely to get distracted.
• Make sure you have everything you need at hand – for example, towel, washcloth, lotion, clean clothes and clean nappy. Avoid using soap because this will dry out your baby’s skin. If needed, use a gentle non-soap cleanser or fragrance-free oil.
• Position the bath somewhere stable and at a height where you can comfortably hold your baby. A kitchen table is often best.
• Fill the bath with about 5 cm of water for babies up to six months old. Use jugs of water to fill the bath if you’re planning to bath your baby away from the tap.
• Take off your watch and jewellery and wash your hands.
• Check the water temperature is 37-38°C before you put your baby in. If you don’t have a thermometer, use your wrist or elbow to test the temperature – it should be comfortably warm, not hot.
• Before bathing your baby in a sink, briefly run cold water through the tap once you’ve finished filling the bath.
• Don’t add extra water while your baby is in the bath.

Giving your newborn a bath: 

Bathing your baby takes practice, so try to relax and take your time. You might like to start by bathing your baby when someone else is around to help. If you’re worried about losing your grip on your baby, you can make the bath less slippery by lining it with a clean cloth nappy or towel.

Children can drown in a few seconds in very shallow water. Never leave your baby alone in the bath, even if you’re using a bath seat or cradle. Never leave older children or siblings to supervise. If you’re disturbed by the phone or another task, take your baby out of the bath.

It’s normal for newborns to find bath time distressing at first. But most babies quickly learn to like bath time. To help your baby enjoy bath time, you can try placing your hand gently on his tummy. This can help your baby feel safe and secure in the bath.

If your baby doesn’t like baths, give her a ‘top and tail’ bath one day and a proper bath the next. By around three months, it’s likely your baby will love the bath.