Bathing the Baby
Posted on: July 7, 2025 | Activity, Babies, education, Information, Parenting, Safety
Here’s a delightful secret for you: Babies generally adore baths! They truly do. After spending 9 months in the warm, comforting embrace of amniotic fluid, a bath feels like a familiar, cozy place. There are various bathing methods, each with its unique soothing effect on your baby. Depending on the baby’s age and stage, one method may be preferred over the others. But the joy of bathing remains constant.
Methods of Bathing the Baby
Sponge bathing involves using a wet washcloth, sponge, hand, or other soft apparatus to cleanse the baby gently. The baby is not immersed in water, but instead is mainly dry, becoming wet only upon contact with the cloth. This method is often used for NICU babies, premie babies, while an umbilical cord is awaiting healing, and when a circumcision has occurred.
Submersion baths are the most familiar and common way of bathing a baby. A submersion bath involves safely immersing the baby’s body in a basin of water. Many find that waiting until the umbilical cord has healed is advisable for a bath in the tub. As the baby ages, bathtime becomes more enjoyable with splishes and splashes of appendages in the water. Often followed by coos and laughter.
Co-bathing is a great way to bond with a baby. Co-bathing is enjoying the soak alongside the baby. Co-bathing can be an enjoyable experience at any age, and with proper precautions for entering and exiting the basin, it can be a pleasant experience for both parties. Keeping the water comfortable enough for the baby’s delicate skin, avoiding soaps and chemicals, and partaking only in the pureness of the water.
Precautions When Bathing the Baby
Drowning can occur in any amount of water, from 1 inch or more, and can happen in the blink of an eye. Decide on the space where you will bathe the baby, such as the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry/mud room. Find a place that has ample space for movement. Counterheight is excellent because it prevents having to bend over with a slippery wee baby.
The bathroom is a great place due to the space, the ‘white noise’ of the fan, which can help soothe the baby, and the ability to make the room warm and cozy. Especially if bedtime is the next step. The kitchen is a great space for getting the day started. The brightness of the atmosphere and the noises of the home.
Once the decision has been made on where to bathe the baby, gather all the necessary items: baby wash, washcloths, towels, cups, toys, etc. We never want to leave the baby unattended, and having these items makes it easier to maintain an eye on the baby and grab what’s needed.
The temperature of the water is another important element of the bath. There are fancy baby tubs that have thermometers embedded in them. There are cute ducks that have a “HOT” that appears when the water is too hot. There’s even the good old’ arm and elbow method to testing the warmth of the water. This method involves dipping your elbow or the inside of your wrist into the water to ensure it’s not too hot. What to know is that as the baby sits in the water, the water will cool. Keeping the temperature between 96 and 99 is a good measure for warmth. Remember, every baby is different, and different bodies prefer different temperatures. Listen to the baby for their preference.
What to Gather
Gathering the necessary items to implement bathtime ahead of time saves time and promotes safety during bathtime. This isn’t a blog to tell you what brand to use or purchase; instead, this will help you decide what types of products are out there. Scanning the baby aisle, you will see brands upon brands upon brands of baby bath products. Let’s discuss…
Baby wash can be as simple as using water only. Babies are not “dirty”, although spit-up, lint, and sweat can build up in the crevices of their arms, legs, fingers, necks, and more. Choosing the “right” baby wash depends on what you decide is best for your family. Use samples from the birthing facility, items from the baby shower, or brands that you are familiar with from growing up. Nowadays, clean companies (like Pipette) have emerged and have simple products with simple elements. Watch for skin irritants and reactions on the baby, and switch products if they occur.
Washcloths, sponges, hands, and baby latherers are next up! How are you going to rub-a-dub-dub? Here’s a trick…no matter what you use to lather up the baby, place a warm washcloth over the baby’s midsection. The washcloth will keep the baby warm while bathing. Periodically, dip the washcloth into the basin of water and replace it with a clean one for the baby.
Hooded baby towels are both cute and comfortable, available in a variety of sizes and fabrics. Placing an extra towel on the chest of the individual bathing the baby, then placing the baby on the towel, and finally putting the hooded baby towel over the baby is a convenient way to utilize the towel.
In these early days and weeks, think about forgoing the scented this and that. The baby’s skin is delicate and doesn’t need much else. Natural elements such as coconut or olive oils can be used to hydrate skin. These oils are gentle and can help maintain the baby’s skin moisture. Place the baby in your hands and massage it. This can also promote healthy lymphatic and blood flow, and soothe a baby for relaxation time. Plus, physical touch is a way to transfer positive energies.
Splish Splash, Enjoy the Bath
Bath time can be just as fun and relaxing for you as it is for the baby. Participating in ‘baby’s first bath is one of our favorite supports to give as postpartum and infant care doulas. Baths are reminiscent of being in the womb. Bath time offers a form of routine. Water is a soothing element. Splish splash, enjoy that bath!