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If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a new or expectant new parent and have questions about giving your baby their first bath. You may wonder:
When is it safe to give my baby a bath?
How old should my baby be for their first bath?
Can I bathe with my newborn?
Can I bathe my baby with their umbilical cord still intact?
These are just a few questions that I encounter while coaching new and expectant parents. The good news is that you’re in the right place! I’m here to help answer these questions and make your baby bathing experience more enjoyable.
When is it safe to give my baby a bath?
As a Newborn Care Specialist, I’m honored to have worked with families from all over the world. Additionally, I have colleagues all over the world. Both of these things have taught me that what is conventional practice in the United States is not always conventional practice in other parts of the world.
In the US, the majority of newborn caregivers, nurses and pediatricians will teach new parents that the most optimal time to give a newborn their first bath is after the umbilical cord has fallen off. The theory here is that the umbilical cord could potentially become infected from the water or something in the bathing area. Being that the umbilical cord once provided nourishment directly from the mother to the infant, it’s possibly a direct route to the bloodstream. IF, it did become infected.
The other thing to consider is that an umbilical cord needs to dry up and be exposed to oxygen in order to fall off. Submerging it in water delays this process. Think of what happens with a scab or after surgery.
If you would like to research the possibility of bathing your baby with their umbilical cord still intact, research a “womb bath”. Just know that you need to be comfortable with your decision to bath your baby with their cord still intact. The risk of infection is there. At the same time, many parents bathe their baby’s in the first days with the umbilical cord still intact, with no problems.
When counseling my clients, I always encourage them to do their own research. I also explain the risks. The majority of families choose to wait until the cord has fallen off and utilize sponge baths.
How old should my baby be for their first bath?
There is no set age for bathing your newborn. Baby’s first bath is truly based more off of when their umbilical cord falls off. If you have a very low birth weight baby, your pediatrician may want you to wait to bathe them until they are a little bigger to help with temperature regulation. I have cared for many premature infants and never experienced this, but we are also very cogsignant of the temperature in the bathing area and of the bath water with all infants.
Can I bathe with my newborn baby?
Absolutely! Bathing with your baby is a wonderful experience for most new moms and dads. It is a great way to bond with your baby and another way you can encourage some additional ‘skin to skin’ time with them.
Just remember that babies are slippery when wet. It’s safest to have someone (partner or spouse) waiting outside of the bath tub that you can hand your newborn to while you get out of the tub yourself.
Can I bathe my baby with their umbilical cord still intact?
Yes and no. Do your own research and be comfortable with your decision. In the United States it is recommended that sponge baths are utilized until the umbilical cord falls off to reduce the risk of infection.
How long does it take for the umbilical cord to fall off?
Generally 1-2 weeks. I have seen it take as long as 5 weeks and as few as 4 days. I then encourage new parents to wait an additional day or two before giving a full submersion bath to make sure everything is healed and there are no open ‘wounds’.
For additional tips to have a more enjoyable experience bathing your baby, check out our blog post: Making Bathtime More Enjoyable – 15 Tips.
Do you have questions about bathing your newborn or newborn care questions in general? www.TheEarlyWeeks.com or contact us HERE.
The content contained in this blog is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or to replace the advice of any medical professional. It is based on our opinions and experience working with newborns and their families. Other’s opinions may vary. It does not represent the views of any affiliated organizations. The reader understands that the term “Babynurse” is often a word used to describe a newborn caregiver. However, unless otherwise disclosed, we are not licensed nurses in any state. By reading and/or utilizing any information or suggestions contained in this blog, the reader acknowledges that we are not medical professionals and agrees to and waives any claim, known or unknown, past, present or future. This blog may contain affiliate links.
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FAQs
While most institutions used to bathe babies within an hour or two of birth, many are changing their policies. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends delaying baby's first bath until 24 hours after birth—or waiting at least 6 hours if a full day isn't possible for cultural reasons.
Can I give my baby a bath at 2 weeks? ›
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sponge baths until the umbilical cord stump falls off — which might take a week or two.
When should babies take their first bath? ›
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends delaying bathing until 24 hours (h) after birth, and when not possible, to be delayed for at least 6 h [7]. However, this recommendation was based on expert consensus. Delaying the first bath may allow time for a neonate's vitals to stabilize after birth.
Do you have to wait until the umbilical cord falls off to bathe? ›
Don't put your baby in the tub for a few weeks after he or she is born. It's best to sponge-bathe your infant until the umbilical cord falls off and is completely healed. After that, you can place your baby in the water, making sure to support the head and neck at all times. Your baby doesn't need a bath every day.
Can I take a bath with my 5 week old? ›
Once your baby is past the newborn stage, you can bring them in the shower with you to get clean. It's best not to shower with a newborn baby, since they need their head supported at all times and it's harder for them to regulate their body temperature.
Why do you have to wait 6 weeks after birth to take a bath? ›
In those first few weeks postpartum, your cervix is still somewhat dilated, regardless of whether you had a vagin*l delivery or a c-section. There's a theory – though no research has confirmed this – that tub water could travel into your uterus, introduce bacteria, and cause an infection.
Why should you wait to bathe a newborn? ›
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that newborns should not be given a bath in the first 24 h but to wait until their vital signs become stable, especially that this will leave residual vernix caseosa intact allowing it to wear off with normal care and handling [2].
When can I put lotion on my newborn? ›
In some cases, a pediatrician may recommend postponing the use of lotion on a newborn until they are a few weeks old. This allows the baby's immune system to develop further, lowering the risk of potential irritants or allergens causing harm.
What is the golden hour after birth? ›
The time immediately following birth is known as the Golden Hour when it comes to mother-baby bonding. During this period, skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby is critical to promote attachment, reduce stress for both mother and baby and to help baby adapt to life outside of the womb.
How to prevent an outie belly button in newborns? ›
There's nothing you can do to cause an innie or outie belly button, but a person's belly button shape and size may change later on in life, based on their weight and any pregnancy history, says Stephanie Langsam, MD, an ob-gyn at Main Line Health in Pennsylvania.
Delay the Bath
The WHO came out with a statement and time parameters stating “bathing should be delayed until after 24 hours of birth. If this is not possible due to cultural reasons, bathing should be delayed for at least six hours.” Appropriate clothing of the baby for temperature maintenance is recommended.
When to start tummy time? ›
Most babies can start tummy time sessions a day or two after they are born. Babies benefit from having two or three short (3- to 5-minute) tummy time sessions each day. As your baby gets older, you can have longer, more regular sessions throughout the day.
How long is the newborn stage? ›
Per the World Health Organization (WHO), the newborn phase lasts for a baby's first 28 days of life — that is, the first month after birth.
When to wash newborn hair for the first time? ›
Firstly, when exactly do you start to wash your newborn's hair? If your little one has a few locks already, feel free to start straight away, mama! Just stick to dabbing their strands with warm water and cotton wool for the first three months.
When should you not bathe a baby? ›
It's best not to bathe your baby straight after a feed or when they're hungry or tired.
How soon can you bath a newborn? ›
While most institutions used to bathe babies within an hour or two of birth, many are changing their policies. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends delaying baby's first bath until 24 hours after birth—or waiting at least 6 hours if a full day isn't possible for cultural reasons.
What if my 2 week old swallows bath water? ›
They're generally fine, as long as the water goes into their stomach and not their lungs. It's important for parents to limit the amount of water they swallow.
When can you give a newborn a bath with soap? ›
Using soaps and shampoos
Only use plain water for newborn babies. You can start using unperfumed baby bath from about 4 to 6 weeks, but be careful to only use a little so you don't damage your baby's skin. Babies with longer hair may need a drop of mild shampoo on wet hair, lathered and rinsed off.
Is it OK to not bath for 2 weeks? ›
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Many doctors say a daily shower is fine for most people. (More than that could start to cause skin problems.) But for many people, two to three times a week is enough and may be even better to maintain good health.
