Baby bathtime is a beloved family ritual, as it often means uninterrupted bonding time with your newborn. However, it doesn’t come without questions about when and how to do it well.
Today’s blog post addresses when to start bathing newborns, as well as some helpful bathtime safety tips.
When to Start Bathing Newborns?
So, when should you give your baby their first bath? Traditionally, many hospitals bathed babies within an hour or two of birth. However, the World Health Organization recommends waiting 24 hours after birth to bathe your newborn.
Here are some benefits to waiting:
Regulates body temperature. Babies who are bathed immediately are more likely to get chilly and/or develop hypothermia.
Supports bonding and breastfeeding. One study revealed a 166% increase in hospital breastfeeding success in babies who were bathed twelve hours after birth – compared to those who bathed within the first two hours.
Moisturizes skin. Vernix — aka the white substance that coats a baby’s skin after birth — acts as a natural moisturizer. Therefore, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends leaving it on the skin for a while to prevent a newborn’s skin from drying out.
How Often to Bathe a Newborn?
So, how often do newborns need baths once they’re home? We recommend bathing them every night once the umbilical stump and plastibell (if circumcised) fall off. (Sponge bath until then.)
How to Give a Baby a Sponge Bath
You need to give your baby sponge baths until their umbilical cord falls off (usually around one or two weeks old). For those who aren’t familiar, a sponge bath is essentially a regular bath, except you don’t put your baby in the water.
Begin by laying your baby on a flat surface. Then, use a damp washcloth (without soap) to wash their face, being careful not to get water into their eyes or mouth. Next, dip the washcloth in a water basin and continue to wash the rest of their body. (The diaper area should be the last section you clean.)
To keep your baby warm during the bath, wrap them in a towel and uncover only the part you’re cleaning.
Baby Bathtime Safety Tips
Once the umbilical cord has fallen off, you’re free to bathe your baby like normal. Just keep these baby bathtime safety tips in mind:
Water temperature. Fill the basin with about two inches of water that feels warm (not hot!) to the touch. The AAP recommends keeping water cooler than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid burns. However, we’ve found that 98 degrees Fahrenheit is the sweet spot.
Avoid running water. You shouldn’t use the faucet to bathe your baby.
Don’t use a lot of soap. Many soaps will dry out your baby’s skin. Therefore, we don’t recommend using soap every night. If you have to use a cleanser (for accident areas, etc.), opt for mild soap with a neutral pH and no additives. We love California Baby’s Shampoo and Body Wash.
Keep them warm. Place your baby in the water immediately after undressing to keep them from getting cold. A submersion bath (where you hold the back of their head above the water) is most comfortable to your baby.
Clean gently. Your baby’s skin is delicate! Be careful not to scrub or tug while washing.
Baby Doula Dallas
If you follow these baby bathtime safety tips, cleaning your baby should be a rewarding and stress-free experience. However, our night nurses and daytime doulas are here to lend a hand if needed!
All of our Newborn Nightingale services can be tailored to suit your family’s needs. So if you need help with baby bathtime, we are here for you. Email melissa@newbornnightingales.com or contact our team to get started.
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