Baby Bath Basics: How to Safely Bathe a Newborn
Bathing your newborn is a special bonding experience, but it can also feel a bit daunting, especially for new parents. Regardless, ensuring your baby's safety and comfort during bath time is key. Here, we'll go over all of the bath basics to help you safely bathe your newborn.
How to Bathe Your Newborn with an Umbilical Cord
When your baby still has their umbilical cord stump, you'll need to take extra care during bathtime. Until the stump naturally dries up and falls off—usually within the first one to two weeks after birth—your newborn should be given sponge baths instead of full tub baths. This helps keep your baby's umbilical cord dry and reduces the risk of infection, allowing it to heal properly.
When cleaning around the umbilical cord stump, use a dry or slightly damp cloth, being careful not to get the area too wet. If it does get wet, gently pat it dry with a soft, clean towel. Remember, the goal is to keep the stump dry to prevent irritation and infection. It's also important not to apply any ointments, alcohol, or antiseptics to the stump unless advised by your pediatrician. Once the umbilical cord stump falls off, you can start giving full baths.
Preparing for Baby's First Bath
To help ensure that bathtime is safe and stress-free, there are a few things you should do to prepare. The following tips can help keep babies safe during their baths.
Get Your Supplies Ready
First, gather all the bath supplies and put them within arm's reach of your baby tub. If you plan to bathe your baby in a sink, line the supplies up on the countertop nearby. Some newborn essentials you may want to gather include:
- Baby wash
- Baby shampoo
- A soft washcloth or sponge
- A rinsing cup
- A dry, soft towel
- Clean diaper
- Clean clothes
Since you should never leave a baby alone in bath water, having the supplies ready will reduce the likelihood of pausing bathtime.
Keep Water Levels Low
Your baby doesn't need to be submerged to their neck for a spa-like bathtime. Instead, fill the tub up with 2 inches of water. Any more than that is unnecessary since your baby's bath is mostly just a quick, light rinse.
Be Mindful of the Soap
During your baby's first year, they won't get too dirty. Newborns don't really sweat that much, and since they're not walking around yet, they tend to remain fairly clean. This means you don't need to go overboard on the amount of soap you use. Instead, choose a mild baby soap and focus on the hands and diaper area when you give your baby a bath. If your newborn has some hair that you want to wash, stick to tear-free baby shampoo and gently massage a small drop into their head, being mindful of any soft spots.
Be Careful With the Bath Temperature
When filling the tub, ensure the water isn't too hot. Ideally, warm water at 100 degrees Fahrenheit max is recommended. Babies are quite sensitive to temperature changes; anything hotter could burn their skin.
But Keep the Room Warm
Babies tend to lose heat very easily and very quickly, which can put them in a vulnerable position during bathtime. While warm bath water is a good way to keep their body temperature up, it can't be too hot. To help keep your baby warm, it's better to adjust the room's temperature than the water. This can be done easily using a portable heater or closing the bathroom door and letting hot water create steam to warm the air (just don't put your baby in the shower tub!). You can also try putting a warm washcloth on your baby's exposed skin in the bath. After you're done, be ready to dry and wrap your baby in a warm, comfortable robe or towel.
Steps to Bathe Your Baby Safely
Once you've gotten everything set up, your baby is ready for bathtime. Here are some tips to help make sure your baby stays safe and comfortable during the process.
Never Leave Your Baby Alone in the Bath
Before you start bathtime, double-check that you have everything you need and you're not distracted. It doesn't matter if your phone rings, you need to grab some soap, or you hear the doorbell; you need to stay with your baby every second during bathtime. If you need to grab something or answer a phone, take your baby with you.
Newborns can drown in only an inch or two of water, so even if you have a top-of-the-line baby bathtub that advertises safety and efficiency, don't leave your baby in the bath without supervision.
Learn How to Hold Your Baby Safely
During bathtime, gently cradle your baby's head and neck with one hand while using your other hand to support their body. This can help prevent slippage, but some baby bath seats can also offer support, making cleaning your baby easier. Regardless, always keep one hand on your baby at all times to ensure they don't fall over or slip out of their baby bath seat.
Start from Their Head and Work Down
Begin by gently wetting your baby's head with a washcloth, carefully avoiding their eyes and face. Use a small amount of mild baby shampoo, lather it in your hands, and softly massage it into their scalp. And don't forget to get behind the ears! Rinse thoroughly to ensure there's no soap residue left behind. Once the head is clean, move on to the rest of the body, working your way down. Just make sure that you always have a strong hold on your baby to keep them upright and secure.
Be Gentle With Private Parts
The diaper area is an important place to focus on during bathtime, but you still need to be gentle. Baby girls should be washed from front to back and in between any skin folds. Baby boys should have their penis wiped clean. If uncircumcised, cleaning the outside is fine, as pulling the foreskin back too early may cause damage or a tear. As they get older, however, and the foreskin can be gently pulled back, you will need to wash underneath it to help with hygiene.
Keep Bath Time Short
Newborns have delicate skin that can dry out quickly if exposed to water for too long. So, aim to keep bath time under 10 minutes, especially during the first few weeks. This is plenty of time to cleanse your baby without causing discomfort. If your baby starts to get fussy or cold, it’s okay to cut bath time short. Just make sure you finish with a thorough rinse. Over time, you'll learn what works best for your baby.
Pat Your Baby Dry
Your baby's skin is still sensitive, so when you help your baby dry off, stick to gentle pats instead of rubbing. Rubbing can cause chafing or skin irritation, making your newborn uncomfortable. Instead, use a soft, fluffy towel and make sure that any sensitive areas are dried thoroughly. If your baby has skin folds, make sure to target these areas to avoid rashes.
Skip the Lotion
Newborns typically don't need lotion after a bath, as their skin produces enough natural oils to stay hydrated. In fact, applying lotion can sometimes lead to skin irritation or rashes. If your baby’s skin seems particularly dry, consult your pediatrician to see if a specific lotion is recommended. Otherwise, simply drying your baby thoroughly after the bath should be good to keep their skin healthy.
Create a Schedule for Newborn Baths
Luckily, you don't need to give your newborn a bath every day. In fact, newborns only need to be bathed two to three times a week. They don't get too dirty (aside from the diaper area) and can usually be wiped with water or a baby wipe to keep them fresh. You can give your newborn baby a bath at any time of the day, but if it makes them sleepy, then doing so before bed can be a great way to prepare them for a restful sleep. You may also want to schedule it after a scheduled nursing session to ensure your baby is calm throughout.
Your baby's very first bath is an exciting milestone you'll cherish forever. Even during restless nights, bathtime can be soothing and a great bonding experience for both mom and baby. To help you stay organized, pick up all your supplies before your delivery date. While you're at it, don't forget to order your free breast pump through insurance to help supplement nursing and improve milk supply. Byram Healthcare makes ordering easy for new and expecting mothers. We also carry breast pump replacement parts and accessories. If you need any assistance throughout the process, don’t hesitate to contact one of our specialists today.
