Baby's Bathtime: Tips and Guidelines for New Parents

Even though it’s fine for your baby to have a daily bath if it soothes them, they really only need to be bathed 2-3 times a week. For the rest of the time and in between, "top and tailing" is the best way to keep your baby clean, fresh, and comfortable.

Baby’s Bathtime

There’s no right or wrong time of the day to bathe your baby; choose a time that works for you and when you feel less rushed and in those first few weeks, having your partner or a family member alongside you can be reassuring as you find the best routine.

As your baby gets older, you may find an early evening bath helps them settle down better for the night. Ultimately, be guided by your baby and the needs of the rest of the family.

Firstly, pick a time when your baby is content and awake. Avoid bathing immediately after a feed or if your baby is hungry, as this will only lead to them becoming agitated, making it an upsetting experience for both of you.

Now get organised! Having everything to hand will be so helpful and ensure bathtime is a safe environment for your baby with all your attention on them, and if the phone or the doorbell rings…let it!

Make sure the room is nice and warm with the lights not too bright. The water should be no warmer than 37-38°C (98.6-100.4°F), and you can use your wrist or a thermometer to test the water before placing your baby inside.

On a changing mat, slowly and gently undress your baby. This is often a time when babies can be alarmed and feel vulnerable. Keeping one hand or your arm across their body can help them feel reassured and less agitated. And be prepared - often when you remove your baby’s nappy and pressure is released from the tummy area, it’s then that they decide to release the contents of their bladder!

Talk to your baby as you lower them into the warm water, giving them eye contact as you do so. Support their head on your arm, firmly but gently holding their upper arm with your hand. Use your free hand to support the rest of their body—this free hand will be the one you use to wash your baby.

Gentle movements are key to keeping your baby feeling safe and secure when bathing. Keep baby’s head clear of the water and, using your free hand, pour water gently over the back of the head using plain water or a mild shampoo. Once or twice a week should be more than enough to keep this area cleansed.

Next, wash the body, including arms, fingers, back, legs, and toes, leaving the genitals and bottom area until last. To cleanse the folds of delicate skin between the legs, underarm, crook of the arm, and creases in the neck, use a cotton wool ball or cotton wool pleat. This is often where milk and fluff can accumulate and start to leave a stale odour.

You can gently wash the outer area and back of the ears, but never place anything, even a cotton bud, in a baby’s ear canal.

You may be wondering what to do with the umbilical cord that will often still be a raised stump. Our advice is to leave it alone. It will generally drop off after a week or so and should, when possible, be kept clean and dry (we know this can be difficult with wet nappies). If you notice any bleeding or discharge of the umbilical cord, consult your midwife or healthcare provider for further advice.

Remember that babies can get cold very quickly, so keep bathtimes short in those first few months and if you don’t feel confident bathing your baby, topping and tailing is a great alternative.

Once you have washed your baby, gently remove them from the water and wrap them in a towel. This is often a time when they need a cuddle—after all, a first bath is quite an experience for any parent and their baby.

When drying your baby, pay particular attention to the folds of skin in the groin, creases of the neck, and underarms. Our tip is to pat them dry, and if you wish, this is a great time to offer a gentle massage. Avoid using any oils or lotions at this time until your baby is older.

This may also be the time to check your baby’s nails. You’ll be surprised how quickly they can grow, and you can gently file them down with an emery board, or use specialist baby clippers, or round-ended safety scissors.

Finally, always be safety aware and never leave your baby or toddler unattended in the bath.

Key Points of Topping and Tailing:

• Preparation: Ensure the room is nice and warm and have everything you need to hand so your focus is entirely on your newborn.
• Equipment: You will need two bowls or a 'top and tailing' bowl that has a two-in-one option.
• Water: The water in these bowls should be warm and free from any products, such as cleansers and soap.
• Clothing: Remove all your baby’s outer clothing and for now, keep their vest and nappy on. Some babies like to be swaddled in a towel for added reassurance.
• Face Cleaning: Use the first bowl to clean the face, paying special attention to the creases and folds of the neck, where milk and fluff often accumulate. Wet each piece of cotton wool ball or pleat and squeeze out any excess water so it feels damp and not saturated. The nose and mouth may need extra attention and we advise using a separate cotton ball for each area.
• Eye Cleaning: For the delicate eye area, use a fresh cotton ball for each eye and always wipe from the inner corner of the eye to the outer corner. We suggest using one cotton ball for each application (one to cleanse and one to dry, then repeat for the other eye).
• Ears Cleaning: Gently wash the outer area and back of the ears, but never place anything, not even a cotton bud, in a baby’s ear canal.
• Hands and Feet: Wash your baby’s hands and feet, looking out for any fluff in between the fingers and toes. Sometimes a cotton bud is best for these tricky areas.
• Nappy Area: Remove your baby’s nappy and using the other bowl, gently wash the genitals and bottom. Preferably use plain water, but if you need to use a cleanser, check that it is suitable for babies and place a tiny amount in the bowl, not directly onto the baby’s skin.
• For your baby’s penis and scrotum, a gentle wash with a cloth or cotton wool is all that is needed. Pay attention to behind the scrotum where nappy cream residue and faeces can collect. Clean only the outside of the penis; there is no need to clean inside or under the foreskin. Now use another cotton wool ball to rinse any cleanser off the skin to avoid irritation.
• For cleaning the labia, hold the legs apart with one hand and lightly wipe between the labia using plain water, always starting at the front and moving backwards. If this area is particularly soiled, use a second damp cotton wool ball to wipe again, but never use the same cotton wool ball twice. Gently pat the area dry with a towel. There is no need to cleanse inside the vagina; the body takes care of this by itself.
• Massage: Now is a great time to offer your baby a massage. Remember the importance of ‘skin to skin’ contact and dress your baby as you would normally, using nappy cream if this is your preference.

Taking care of your newborn’s hygiene in those first few weeks can seem daunting, but with a little practice and preparation, you will find a routine that works best for you and your baby. Enjoy these precious moments—they grow up so fast!