After your baby’s umbilical cord stump falls off, you can start bathing him or her in a portable tub or in the sink. Placing a newborn directly into a large bathtub is not recommended. First, the baby is slippery and second, it would be very difficult on your back!
To give your newborn a bath, first gather all of the materials you will need, including a bathtub, baby washcloth, mild baby soap, and towel.
Prepare the area at which you are going to bathe your baby before you get the baby undressed. Not doing so will likely lead to a very unhappy baby, possibly a wetting accident, and a stressed-out parent.
Fill the water about three inches up in the bathtub; enough so that your baby won’t get chilled but so it doesn’t reach the baby’s face either. Make sure the water is warm, not hot (approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit).
Place your newborn in the bathtub feet first and keep a firm hold on him. Babies quickly become very slippery when they are wet and it can be stressful getting the hang of things when you’re just starting out with baths.
Place a small amount of soap on a dampened washcloth and gently wash your baby’s body and head. Using too much soap can dry out your baby’s skin, which is already prone to eczema. Focus on the genitals, face, hands, and feet. Use a small cup or your hand to gently splash water onto your baby to rinse her.
If your baby is enjoying the bath, you can keep him in the tub for a few minutes, while gently pouring water onto his skin. If, however, your baby is crying, you’ll want to take him out of the tub after you’ve finished washing him.
A Few Important Tips on Bathing:
Never leave your baby unattended – not for a moment, a second, a blink. Not even to turn around and grab something. Accidents happen very quickly.
Make sure the water is not too hot – thousands of babies are scalded each year by water that exceeds the recommended temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. When in doubt, use a water thermometer.
Babies are slippery! Be careful when giving them a bath.
Although it is often enjoyable to bathe your newborn every day, they actually only need to be bathed a few times a week at this age. Once they are older, the frequency should increase.
Enjoy bath time with your baby. Try singing during bath time to calm a fussy newborn.