Bathing your newborn

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• Lots of new parents find bath time difficult at first, especially when their baby seems uneasy.
• A few simple steps can make bath time fun and easy.
• You don’t have to bath your baby everyday – but if he likes baths, go ahead.

Many newborn babies show signs of distress when being bathed (and parents can be worried about losing hold of a slippery baby!), perhaps because they feel unsafe and exposed when naked. If your baby doesn’t like baths, you can give him a ‘top and tail’ bath every second day (use cotton wool and warm water for eyes and face, and a washcloth for hands and bottom) and a proper bath every other day. Topping and tailing means that you can concentrate on the areas that really need a wash and your baby can keep most of his clothes on while you do it.

If your baby really likes baths and they seem to help him relax, you may want to give him two baths a day. However, two baths a day is generally not recommended for the following reasons:

• Babies don't generally have dirty skin.
• Having two baths a day will dry out the natural oils in his skin and many newborns already have dry, flaky skin. To avoid overdrying skin, try adding bath oil (unperfumed is better) to the water. Avoid bubble baths as they also remove natural oils from the skin. Moisturisers such as sorbolene and aqueous creams are good for preventing the drying out of newborn skin. Newborn babies do not need shampoo for their hair.

If your baby likes a bath and it seems to relax him you may use this as a strategy to help settle him in the evening. A bath can relax babies and they often sleep longer after. You may also try singing, smiling or gently talking to your baby during the bath to help you both relax.

Although a plastic baby bath is probably the best option once your baby gets bigger, you can bathe your newborn in a smaller plastic tub or even in the kitchen sink (but watch out for the hot tap).

By around three months it’s likely that your baby will love the bath and be nicely relaxed and ready for a sleep afterwards.

How to prepare a bath

You can bath your baby in any room that is warm, safe and clean – it doesn’t have to be a bathroom. The bath should be positioned somewhere stable at a height where you can comfortably hold your baby (a table is often best).

Before you start to get the bath ready, make sure your baby is somewhere safe (such as the bassinette). Then get all the items you will need for the bath (cotton wool, washcloth, towels, rubber duck, and lotion if you are using this) and put them within arm’s reach of the bath. Also organise a nappy and clean clothes and put them wherever it’s easiest for you to dry and dress your baby.

Next, take off your wristwatch if you’re wearing one. You can make a bath less slippery and safer if you line it with a clean cloth nappy or towel.

Use only a small amount of water until you get used to holding your baby. Fill the bath with about 5 cm of water (for children up to six months old; use 10-13 cm for older children). Test the water temperature with your elbow or wrist (the recommended bath temperature is about 36°C).

If you’re planning to bath him on a table far from the tap, it can be easier to fill the bath with jugs of water rather than carrying a full bath from sink to table. Try not to add extra water once your baby is in the bath.

How to give a newborn a bath

• Gently support your baby at all times while he is having a bath.
• Choose a bath time when there will be minimal interruption (from phone calls or visitors).
• Before undressing your baby, wipe his eyelids (from inner eye to outer eye) with cotton wool dipped in lukewarm water, using a different piece of cotton wool for each eye. Then wash the whole face. Be careful not to insert anything into his ears or nose. See more on ear, nose and eye care.
• Undress your baby, taking his nappy off last. 
• Cradle his head with one arm, supporting his head and neck with the other arm, then gently lower him into the bath, feet first, hanging on to him at all times.
• Supporting his head, lay your baby down in the bath so that the back of his head is submerged, and gently splash some water onto his head.
• Wash your baby’s hair once or twice a week. Shampoo is not required for newborn hair.
• Gently wash your baby’s genitals and bottom last, using water only (though oil in the bath is fine too).
• Never leave your baby in the bath unattended. Babies can drown very quickly and completely silently.
• Supporting your baby’s head and neck, lift your baby out of the bath and place him on his back on a clean dry soft towel.
• Wrap him in the towel and pat him dry, paying attention to skin creases including armpits, groin, under the chin, around the neck and behind the ears.
• If his skin is dry, or if he has nappy rash, you may want to apply a mild lotion such as white soft paraffin, or zinc and castor oil.
• Dress your baby, putting on his nappy first.
• Place your baby in a safe place, such as a bassinette.
• Empty the bath water.

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