Giving a baby a bath is simpler than it looks, but the technique changes depending on your baby’s age. For the first one to two weeks, you’ll stick with sponge baths while the umbilical cord stump is still attached. Once it falls off and the area heals, you can move to a small tub. Either way, the water should be around 100°F (38°C), and the whole process can take as little as five to ten minutes.
When to Give the First Bath
The World Health Organization recommends waiting at least 24 hours after birth before a baby’s first bath, or a minimum of 6 hours if cultural practices call for an earlier one. There are practical reasons for the delay. Bathing too soon can drop a newborn’s body temperature and blood sugar. It also interrupts skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding. One hospital study found a 166% increase in breastfeeding success after delaying the first bath by 12 hours compared to bathing within the first couple of hours.
The waxy white coating on a newborn’s skin, called vernix, is worth leaving in place for a while too. It acts as a natural moisturizer and may have antibacterial properties. The AAP specifically recommends keeping it on to protect delicate skin, especially for premature babies whose skin is more prone to injury.
Gather Your Supplies First
The most important rule of baby bathing is never leaving your baby unattended, not even for a second. That means everything you need should be within arm’s reach before you start. Here’s what to have ready:
- Infant bathtub (or a clean, flat surface with a towel for sponge baths)
- 2 to 3 cotton washcloths
- Gentle, unscented baby soap
- Tear-free shampoo
- Hooded towel or regular bath towel
- Rinsing cup
- Clean diaper and clothes
- Unscented moisturizer (only if your baby has dry skin)
If the phone rings or someone knocks on the door, either ignore it or wrap the baby in a towel and take them with you.
How to Sponge Bathe a Newborn
Sponge baths are the go-to method until the umbilical cord stump falls off, which typically happens around one to two weeks of age. The goal is to keep the stump area dry, though if it does get wet accidentally, that’s fine and won’t cause harm.
Lay your baby on a flat, padded surface like a towel on a counter or changing table. Keep them wrapped in a towel and only uncover the part of the body you’re washing at that moment. This prevents them from getting cold. Start with the face, using a damp washcloth with plain water and no soap. Wipe each eye from the inner corner outward, using a different section of the cloth for each eye. Then wash the rest of the face, behind the ears, and in the neck folds where milk tends to collect.
Work your way down the body. Use a small amount of baby soap on the washcloth for the torso, arms, and legs. Pay attention to skin folds at the wrists, elbows, and knees. Rinse by wiping with a clean, damp cloth. Save the diaper area for last. For girls, always wipe front to back. For boys, clean around the genitals gently without forcing back the foreskin if uncircumcised. Pat each area dry as you go, then re-cover it with the towel before moving on.
Moving to Tub Baths
Once the umbilical cord stump has fallen off and the skin underneath looks healed, your baby is ready for a regular bath in a small infant tub. Fill it with only 2 to 3 inches of warm water. Aim for about 100°F (38°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, test it with the inside of your wrist or elbow. It should feel comfortably warm, not hot. As an extra precaution, set your home water heater to below 120°F (49°C) to prevent any risk of scalding.
Warm the room before undressing your baby. A chilly room is one of the fastest ways to make bath time miserable for everyone. Close windows, turn up the heat if needed, and have the towel unfolded and ready to grab.
Supporting Your Baby in the Tub
Wet babies are slippery, and a secure hold matters more than anything else during tub baths. Use your non-dominant arm to support the baby’s head and neck: reach behind the baby so your forearm cradles their back and your hand grips under the far armpit. This leaves your dominant hand free to wash. Your baby’s head should stay well above the water at all times.
Some infant tubs come with a foam insert or built-in sling that gives extra support, which can be helpful if you’re feeling nervous. Even with a sling, keep one hand on your baby throughout the bath.
Washing Sequence
Follow the same top-to-bottom order as a sponge bath. Start with the face using plain water and a washcloth, no soap. Then move to the scalp. You only need a drop of tear-free shampoo, and you don’t need to wash the hair at every bath. Use the rinsing cup to pour clean water over the head, shielding the forehead with your hand so water doesn’t run into the eyes.
Apply a small amount of baby soap to the washcloth and wash the neck, chest, arms, belly, legs, and feet. Get into all the creases, especially the neck folds, behind the ears, and between the toes. Finish with the diaper area last. Rinse by cupping water with your hand or using the rinsing cup. The entire bath should only last a few minutes. Babies lose body heat quickly in water, so there’s no benefit to lingering.
How Often Babies Need Baths
New parents often assume babies need a daily bath, but that’s too frequent for infant skin. Three baths a week is plenty for most babies during the first year. Bathing more often can strip natural oils and dry out the skin. On non-bath days, a quick wipe-down of the face, neck folds, hands, and diaper area with a damp cloth (sometimes called “topping and tailing”) keeps your baby clean.
There’s no set time of day that’s best. Some families find an evening bath helps with a bedtime routine, while others prefer mornings when the baby is more alert and cooperative. Pick whatever works for your schedule and your baby’s mood.
Drying and Skin Care After the Bath
Lift your baby out of the tub and immediately wrap them in a towel, covering the head. A hooded towel works well for this. Pat the skin dry rather than rubbing, paying special attention to all the skin folds where moisture can linger and cause irritation.
Lotions and moisturizers are unnecessary unless your baby actually has dry or flaky skin. If you do use one, choose an unscented product to reduce the chance of irritation. Put on a fresh diaper and clean clothes right away to keep your baby warm, then enjoy the post-bath cuddle. Most babies are either calm and sleepy or alert and happy after a bath, making it a good transition into feeding or bedtime.