If you’re a new parent, you've probably got a few questions surrounding bath time...as well as some nerves. How often should you bathe your bub? At what temperature? And what equipment or products do you need? So let’s dive in to bath time with your bub, with some helpful hints.
How often should you bathe your newborn?
There's no hard and fast rule here. You may like to bath them everyday (particularly if they enjoy it), but don't feel like you need to. Bathing your baby two to three times a week is perfectly fine—after all, newborns don’t really get dirty!
We love this idea from Raising Children Network - giving bub a ‘top and tail’ bath one day and a proper bath the next. ‘Topping and tailing’ means you concentrate on the areas that really need a wash (face, hands and bottom), and your baby can stay warm in their clothes or wrapped in a towel while you do it.
What type of tub?
Some parents like to use a plastic baby bath, a newborn bath seat in the main bathtub, while others simply line their sink with a clean towel - whatever works for you and bub. This is a no brainer, but make sure to always keep one hand on your baby at all times– they can be wriggly little creatures. And if you forget something in the other room, always bring your bub with you.
What temperature should the water be?
When giving your bub a bath, keep the temperature about 36 degrees Celsius – if you’re nervous about getting this right, you can always use a bath thermometer.
How do you wash a baby's delicate skin?
After lowering your bub into the water, gently wipe your baby with a soft washcloth with baby soap (or for a natural alternative, add a dash of olive oil to the bath water), always supporting their head. Starting with the head, gently wipe your baby’s scalp and neck—don’t forget the adorable creases in the neck. Use clean cotton pads dampened with water to gently wipe their eyes.
Because babies get cold easily, it's important to wrap them in a towel immediately after bathing. If their skin appears dry, you can apply some gentle baby lotion and may want to consider bathing them less. Keep in mind that babies’ skin can appear quite dry – avoid lathering them in lotion and instead focus on those dryer areas
We know that bathing a newborn might seem scary, but soon enough, you’ll be an expert. We hope these tips were helpful, so be sure to let us know how your first bathtime goes.
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