Bath time moments with your baby can be some of the sweetest memories you’ll have as a parent. A lot of babies love the feel of the warm water, practicing their kicking and splashing, and having some special bonding time with you. But a water-loving baby doesn’t always happen from the get-go. Some babies take some warming up (pun intended) to bath time. Here are 8 of our best tips to give you and your little one a positive bath time experience.
Start with Sponge Baths
While it might be tempting to break out the infant bathtub as soon as you get home from the hospital, you’ll need to do sponge baths until your baby’s umbilical cord stump falls off. Take this as a great chance to get your baby used to the new sensations of the washcloth and warm water.
To give a sponge bath, have a basin or sink of warm water, a damp wash cloth (no soap necessary), and a cozy dry towel within reach. Lay baby on a cozy surface padded with a blanket or towel, and begin to gently wipe baby down starting from their face. As you bathe baby, keep them wrapped up and cozy, only uncovering the body parts you’re washing.
Ease into Bath Time
Try to keep baby’s first few “real” baths brief—especially if they aren’t a happy camper. As your little one gets more and more comfortable and experienced with baths, you might be able to stretch bath time longer and use it as a fun sensory activity for your little one. Another important thing? Keep it calm. New experiences can be a lot for baby. Keep the noise to a minimum, talk to baby in soothing tones, and be sure to smile at them to reassure them that everything is ok.
Keep One Hand on Baby at All Times
While this tip is more of a safety notice, it’s important to note that your little one may also feel comforted by your touch when they’re in a new situation such as bath time. It’s important to never, ever leave baby unsupervised during bath time. Have everything within reach before you begin so you can always keep a hand on your little one to prevent slipping or rolling. If there’s a reason you need to step away from the bathtub—for instance, if you forgot something, need to answer the door, or need to help another child—take your baby along with you.
Watch the Water Temperature
Water temperature can make or break bath time for your little one. Too hot and it can be painful (and even burn them), too cold and they’ll get chilly quickly. The age old trick to test the water temp? Ensure it feels warm, but not hot, at the inside of your wrist or elbow. Aim for a bath between 98.6-100 degrees Fahrenheit to keep baby nice and comfortable.
Another tip? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends your water temperature at the faucet should never exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit to help prevent accidental burns in your household. Many water heaters have a setting you can adjust on the unit itself.
Timing Is Key
As you start to figure out baby’s routine, you’ll begin to learn the best time of day for a pleasant bath experience. Aim for a time when your baby is well rested, and not hungry. We know—during the newborn phase it can seem like that’s never the case. A lot of parents like to include bath time as part of their evening routine before feeding and bedtime. Others enjoy it as a morning routine when their babies are a little more alert and awake. Experiment and find what works best for you and baby.
Keep an Extra Wash Cloth Handy
Since most of your baby’s body will be out of the water during bath time, their bare skin can get chilly even when the water is at the perfect temperature. A quick and easy tip to keep your little one nice and cozy? Grab an extra washcloth, dunk it in the warm water, then cover their body like a blanket. Pour warm water over the wash cloth frequently to continue to keep them comfortable. A lot of bath time tears can happen simply because your little one’s body is chilly.
Use Soap Sparingly
Do your best to shop for baby soap and shampoo brands that are mild, have a neutral PH and don’t have many additives. Soap can be harsh on baby’s delicate skin, so it’s best not to overdo it. Focus on heavily soiled areas, like the diaper area, and rinse baby’s skin right away. While it might seem unusual, it’s not necessary to use soap during every bath. Simply wiping their skin down with water can help prevent dry skin or other skin reactions. It’s also a good rule of thumb to wash baby’s hair two or three times a week. Of course, this number may fluctuate based on the amount of spit up and breastmilk that inevitably ends up in baby’s (and your) hair.
Help Them Stay Warm after Bath Time
Once bath time is over, your most important job is to scoop baby up in a towel and keep them as warm and snuggly as possible. Gently dry your little one off, and use a small amount of lotion (fragrance-free, hypoallergenic is preferable) on their skin. Pro tip—warm up the lotion as best you can in your hands before applying it to your squirmy babe to prevent tears.
If you do all of these things and your baby still isn’t a fan of the bath, give it time, mama. Some babies take a while to adjust and start to enjoy bath time, but they’ll come around.