It is important that you wash or bathe your baby carefully every day, though you don’t need to give them a full bath every day.
How to wash your baby
You should wash their face, neck, hands and bottom carefully each day. You can do this on a changing mat.
Choose a time when your baby is awake and contented and make sure the room is warm.
You will need a bowl of warm water, some cotton wool, a towel and a fresh nappy. You do not need to use soap on a new baby.
When washing your baby:
- take off your baby’s clothes except for the vest and nappy and wrap your baby in a towel
- gently wipe round each eye, from the nose side outwards using a fresh piece of cotton wool for each eye so you don’t transfer any stickiness or infection
- using fresh, moist cotton wool, wipe out each ear, but don’t clean inside their ears – never use cotton buds in the ear canal
- wash the rest of your baby’s face and neck with moist cotton wool and dry gently – wash and dry your baby’s hands in the same way
- take off the nappy and wash your baby’s bottom and genitals – see the page on changing your baby’s nappy for more information
How to bathe your baby
You should bath your baby two or three times a week, or more often if they enjoy it. Don’t bath them straight after a feed or when they are hungry or sleepy. Make sure the room is warm and that you have everything you need ready before putting your baby in the bath.
When bathing your baby, you should:
- check that the water is not too hot – test it with your wrist or elbow to make sure it is comfortable warm
- undress your baby and wrap them snugly in a towel - wash your baby’s face with cotton wool and water as described above, there is no need to use any soap
- wash your baby’s hair with mild, unscented baby shampoo, supporting their head over the baby bath or basin and rinse carefully – you don’t need to use shampoo every time
- take their nappy off at the last minute
- put your baby gently into the water and, using one hand for support, gently swish the water to wash them without splashing their face
- if your baby seems frightened of the bath and cries, it will help to talk in a low voice
- never leave your baby in the water alone, even for a few seconds
- for boys, gently clean the top of the foreskin of the penis – the foreskin can be pulled back very gently to clean
- let your baby out and pat them dry with a warm towel – if your baby’s skin is dry, gently massage in some baby oil or cream
More useful links
FAQs
Only give your newborn sponge baths until the stump of the umbilical cord falls off, which usually happens by about one or two weeks of age. If it remains beyond that time, there may be other issues at play. See the baby's doctor if the cord has not dried up and fallen off by the time the baby is 2 months old.
How long can a baby go without a bath? ›
But for most families, bathing the baby two to three times a week is plenty after the first couple of weeks of life. In fact, we recommend delaying your newborn's first full bath for at least two weeks. Newborns shed about three layers of skin within their first week, which often surprises new parents.
What is the most important rule about bathing a baby? ›
Whether you're giving your newborn a sponge bath or a tub bath, the most important baby bath time rule is to never take your hands off him or her. If you have to move around or leave the room to grab more supplies or answer a ringing phone, take her or him with you.
What do you wash a baby first when bathing? ›
Start with your baby's head.
Dip the washcloth into the bowl of lukewarm water and gently wipe your baby's face and scalp. It is safe to gently clean over the baby's soft spots. Don't forget to clean the creases in the neck and behind the ears.
What not to do when bathing a newborn? ›
Never leave your baby alone in the bath, even for a minute. Babies and children can drown in just a few centimetres of water and should never be left unsupervised in and around water. Fill the bath with comfortably warm water. Check the temperature with your wrist or elbow before placing your baby gently into the bath.
Can you give a baby a bath right after the cord falls off? ›
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.
How often do newborns really need baths? ›
How often does my newborn need a bath? There's no need to give your newborn baby a bath every day. Three times a week might be enough until your baby becomes more mobile. Bathing your baby too much can dry out your baby's skin.
When to start using soap on a newborn? ›
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.
What if babies are not bathed? ›
Delaying bathing for at least 8 hours after birth protects the newborn's skin from bacterial invasion, keeps their skin conditioned, keeps their blood sugar stable and often causes the baby to cry, both of which can promote hypoglycemia.
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.
If you're breast-feeding, you might wait to offer a pacifier until your baby is 3 to 4 weeks old and you've settled into a nursing routine. However, a review of unrestricted pacifier use in healthy, full-term infants found that it had no impact on the continuation of breast-feeding.
Do you wash a baby's head or body first? ›
To sponge bathe, undress your baby and swaddle them in a towel with the head exposed. Wash your baby's face first, being careful not to get water into their eyes or mouth. Don't use soap on your baby's face. Then wash the rest of your baby's body.
What time is too late to give a baby 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. Try not to bath your baby when they're hungry or they've just had a feed. If bathing relaxes your baby, you can use it as a way to settle your baby in the evening.
How long until the umbilical cord falls off? ›
When your baby is born, the umbilical cord is cut and there is a stump left. The stump should dry and fall off by the time your baby is 5 to 15 days old. Keep the stump clean with gauze and water only. Sponge bathe the rest of your baby, as well.
Should I rinse baby after bath? ›
Wash your baby's genitals and bottom last. Rinse all of the soap off your baby. Soap left on your baby's skin can be irritating. Squeeze water out of washcloth and onto his or her skin, or use a container to pour water on his or her body.
Can I bathe with my 2 week old baby? ›
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. Also, experts recommend just sponge baths to clean your baby until their umbilical cord stump has fallen off.
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.
When can a baby go in the bath without a seat? ›
However, once babies are able to pull themselves into a standing position (approximately at 10 months of age) baby bath seats or rings should no longer be used. It is important to remember that babies develop at different rates and the suggested age range for a baby bath seat may not be appropriate for all babies.
When can you give a newborn puppy a bath? ›
Puppies shouldn't be bathed until they are at least four weeks old—six or eight weeks is better. The little guys have trouble regulating their body temperature at that age and can become chilled. Puppies who get sick with diarrhea may need a dunking, but the stress of a bath can make the illness worse.
