Bathing baby doesn’t have to be a dreaded task.

To help new parents, here is a guide with tips for bathing baby throughout that first year.

Bathing Tips For Baby’s First Year

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Weeks 1-3

HOW

Until your babies umbilical cord stump falls off, it’s best to give them sponge baths to keep the stump dry.

HOW OFTEN

During the first three weeks or until the umbilical cord falls off, your baby only needs one to two full body sponge baths a week.

Newborns don’t get very dirty and bathing them too much can dry out their delicate skin.

You can give your baby a top and tail, washing their face and bottom, daily or as you feel it’s needed.

WHERE

Any safe surface where you can put baby and have room for all of your bathing supplies within reach.

I liked to use the changing table but you can also use a towel-lined infant tub in the sink or on a table.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Having everything you need ready and in reach will give you the best chance at a tear free newborn bath.

- two bath sponges or wash cloths
- one hooded towel
- two bowls of warm water
- baby shampoo + wash
- fresh diaper
- clean clothes

TIPS

Leave baby’s diaper on to avoid messes. Remove it when you wash that area last.
Warm up the room to 75 degrees so baby doesn’t get cold.
The water should be between 90 and 100 degrees. Test the water with your elbow not your hand, it should feel warm not hot.
Add a drop of baby soap to one bowl for washing and use the other bowl for rinsing
Start with the face, wash the body, then genitals. Put a fresh diaper on and then wash the hair.

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0-3 Months

HOW

Once babies umbilical cord stump falls off you can give them a tub bath.

HOW OFTEN

During your baby’s first three months they only need 1-3 baths a week

You can continue to give them a top and tail, washing their face and bottoms, daily or as you feel it’s needed.

WHERE

Sometimes I would take a bath with my daughter in our bathtub and other times I would put her in an infant tub in the sink.

All babies are different. Some like baths and some don’t. Do what works best for you and your baby.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

infant bathtub
towel
hooded towel
wash cloths or bath sponges
baby shampoo + wash
soap rinsers
fresh diaper
clean clothes

TIPS

For babies who don’t like baths you will want to be prepared. Have all of your supplies ready and work quickly.
Soaking a towel in warm water and lining the tub with it can keep baby warmer and less likely to slip.
Fill two soap rinsing cups with warm water before you start the bath. Use them to pour water over baby periodically to keep them warm, rinse off soap, or to rinse away pee or poop if that happens.

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3-6 Months

HOW

Once my daughter was a little bigger I retired the infant tub and found it easier to lay her on her back in the big tub in an inch of water.

HOW OFTEN

Your baby likely won’t be crawling until after six months, so they still aren’t getting very dirty. They only need 2-3 baths a week at this point.

You can continue to do a top and tail, washing babies face and bottom, daily or as you feel its needed.

WHERE

Depending on what you and your baby prefer you can use the kitchen sink, infant bathtub, or your bathtub.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

bath sponges or wash cloths
hooded towel
baby shampoo + wash
soap rinsers
entertainment
fresh diaper
clean clothes

TIPS

After about three months your baby will be able to grasp objects. Giving them toys to play with during bath time will help keep them distracted and entertained.

6-12 Months

HOW

At this age you can give baby a tub bath or take them into the shower with you.

HOW OFTEN

Once your baby starts sitting up, crawling on dirty floors, and getting covered in table food, they will need to be bathed more often.

Depending on how sensitive your baby’s skin is you can bathe them a few times a week or every other day. Some parents choose to bathe their children everyday at this point.

WHERE

Depending on what you and your baby prefer you can use the kitchen sink, bath tub or, once baby can sit up, you can even bring them in the shower with you.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED