How to Bathe Your Baby
When it comes to bathing your infant, here are a few tips and tricks to make it enjoyable and safe for baby and parents.
⏰ PICK THE RIGHT TIME. Your baby should be content and well fed. For example, some families try their baby’s first bath at home about 30 minutes after a feed when baby is awake. If your baby’s not happy, wait to take a bath.
🚼 GET SOME HELP AND MAKE IT SAFE.🌡
🌟 Have a helper (spouse, doula, family member) by your side.
🌟 Test the water temperature with your elbow or wrist (not your hand/finger which can tolerate hotter temps). It should feel lukewarm.
🌟Keep a hand on your baby to avoid slipping. Keep a towel underneath to prevent slipping.
🌟 You don’t need a lot of water. Use a small baby bath or the kitchen sink. Avoid fully immersing your baby in water if they are still healing from umbilical cord cutting or circumcision.
🌟 Keep them warm by putting a wash cloth their tummy in the bath or keeping swaddled (see swaddle bathing below).
🛁 PICK YOUR BATHING METHOD.
🌟Sponge/submersion bathing involves placing your baby in small bath and a few inches of water to cover their legs and lower torso.
🌟Swaddle bathing involves having your baby swaddled (to keep them warm and comfortable) and unwrapping one limb at a time to wash and then reswaddle. Start at the top and work your way down your baby.
🧼 DON’T STRESS, INFANTS AREN'T GETTING REALLY "DIRTY."
🌟A bath can be a relaxing ritual for your baby, but it doesn’t need to happen more than once a week.
🌟Use gentle soap (like Dove, or unscented shampoo) or even just water.
🌟If you want to forgo a full “bath,” you could wash those cute baby neck rolls and their hands with a warm, wet washcloth in the evening.
🌟 An option: brush their scalp gently with a soft toothbrush to remove cradle cap.
🤱🏽GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES
🌟Baby bath
🌟Towel
🌟Fresh clothes and diaper
🌟Washcloth (2 if you’re using one to cover their tummy), or swaddle if you’re doing swaddle bathing)
🌟Lotion, soap or shampoo
🧸 MAKE IT FUN!
🌟Sing and hum.
🌟Pour water over their head rhythmically if your baby likes it.
🌟After, wrap them in a towel, snuggle and/or feed them.
Written by Kathleen Stern (bio here). For more infant feeding and parent support, reach out to Kathleen at www.strongnestconsulting.com
Last updated December 14, 2025