11 Must-Know Tips for Bathing Newborn Baby + Benefits

A newborn baby bath is an important event and parents should learn to prepare it properly. Newborns do not need a bath every day and depending on their skin, they can be bathed once or twice a week.

The newborn baby bath is more than just washing the body because it can help to create a bond between the parent and baby. This is why it is so important for parents to have proper knowledge on how to bathe their newborn baby.

When can a baby have a bath?

It’s probably best not to give your newborn a bath until their umbilical cord has fallen off and healed completely. This typically takes 10 days to 3 weeks after they’re born. Until then, you can use gentle wet wipes or a washcloth to clean your newborn’s face, neck folds, and diaper area.

How often should you give the baby a bath?

Newborns don’t get very dirty. In fact, most don’t need baths more than twice or three times a week until the umbilical cord falls off. And for the first two or three weeks of life, you’ll want to stick with just sponge baths.

Tips for Bathing Newborn Baby

Bathing a newborn baby can be a nerve-wracking experience for new parents. You’re dealing with a slippery, slippery little person who can’t sit up or move very well on their own, and it’s your job to keep them clean.

  • Always wash your hands with soap and water before bathing your baby.
  • Always support your baby’s head when bathing her, especially when she’s young.
  • Test the water temperature with your elbow or wrist before bathing your baby. The bathwater should be warm — not hot — to the touch.
  • When bathing your baby in an infant tub, always keep one hand on the baby at all times.
  • If you’re using a sink for the bath, always stay close to avoid accidental slips or falls.
  • A sponge bath is fine for most newborns until the umbilical cord stump falls off and the navel area has healed (one to four weeks). Some pediatricians recommend delaying full-immersion baths until then. 
  • Do it gently. Babies are delicate and fragile and so is their skin. It’s important to wash them gently and handle them with care.
  • Use warm water. Be sure to use lukewarm water rather than hot water, which can dry out a baby’s skin
  • Rinse well. If you use soap or shampoo, be sure to rinse the product completely off her body so it doesn’t cause skin irritation or rashes
  • Dry her gently. After you pat or blot your baby dry (never rub), apply any lotion or diaper cream, then put on her diaper and clothes
  • Go easy on the baby lotion. You don’t need to use a lotion after every bath. A little goes a long way, and using too much can leave your baby’s skin oily and irritated.

Benefits of Bathing Baby Daily

Bathing a newborn baby can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially the first time. But for many parents, it doesn’t take long to get used to. Many moms and dads look forward to bath time as a special bonding opportunity with their little ones.

Babies don’t need to be bathed every day, but when you do give them a bath, there are several benefits to doing so:

  • Bathing helps keep your baby’s skin clean and clear.
  • A daily bath can prevent diaper rash by removing urine and stool from the skin.
  • It also can help alleviate other skin conditions like eczema that may be irritated by urine or stool that hasn’t been removed.
  • Daily baths keep your baby smelling fresh and clean.
  • Some parents find that bathing their babies at night helps calm them down for bedtime.
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