Your baby’s first bath is another milestone for you. We understand you’ll have a lot of questions especially if you’re a first-time mommy. It will get easier every time you practice it, so relax! We are here to guide you through your baby’s first bath.
When’s the right time to give your baby his first bath at home?
Take a deep breath, there’s no hurry in bathing your newborn baby. Your baby will already be washed in the hospital after birth.
There’s no rush to bathe your newborn baby right away. You can wait for a few days until your baby’s first bath at home. Meantime, you can keep their face, hands and bottoms clean by using a warm cloth everyday. We recommend using Suzuran Baby Gauze Bath Towel to get them cleaned. Just damp it with warm water and you’re good to go!
How often should you bathe your newborn baby?
There’s no need to bathe your newborn baby on a daily basis because they don’t get dirty – they don’t sweat like adults or play like toddlers. Of course you have to make sure your baby’s diaper area is getting cleaned thoroughly (read Cleaning Baby’s Poop and Pee). Two to three times a week is enough. Some parents may prefer to bathe their babies on a daily basis as part of a bedtime routine, which is fine as well.
In the beginning, a sponge bath with a warm, damp washcloth (Suzuran Baby Gauze Bath Towel) are good enough to get your newborn baby cleaned. Then wait until your baby’s umbilical cord falls off to give him first tub bath, which usually happens 10-14 days after birth.
This is typically done before your baby’s umbilical cord falls off to avoid it being wet.
1. Get all your baby bath supplies ready
At this stage, all you need is a basin of warm water and a soft washcloth or a baby gauze towel. Make sure all your baby bath supplies are within arm reach so you don’t have to step away when giving baby bath.
2. Lay your baby on a flat surface
Place a clean towel on the flat surface is recommended. Then, remove your baby’s clothes and diaper.
3. Clean small areas at a time
Lift only a small area at a time and gently wipe it with a damp washcloth. Pat the area dry and start on the next area. Pay special attention to his diaper area and any creases and folds.
Giving your newborn baby the big bath
You can start giving your baby the full bath once the umbilical cord stump falls off. You’ll need a large towel, a soft washcloth (Suzuran Baby Gauze Swaddle Bath Towel), baby soap and shampoo (if you want but it’s not necessary) and cotton pad (Suzuran Baby Antibacterial Cotton or Wet Cleaning Cotton)
1. Filling the baby tub with warm water
2. Gently wipe your baby all over
Using a soft washcloth (Suzuran baby Gauze Bath Towel), gently wipe your baby all over, including his head and face. Baby soap and shampoo are not necessary but there’s no harm in using natural, mild baby soap. Using warm water and a soft washcloth is good enough to get them clean.
Hold your baby firmly and gently wash them. You’ll need to cradle your baby’s head and back as you wash him. Pay attention to these areas:
- Behind the ears
- The genital and diaper area
- Between fingers and toes
- The folds at the backs of the knees, the neck and thighs
- The face – if debris has accumulated around his eyes, you can use Suzuran Baby Antibacterial Cut Cotton or Wet Cleaning Cotton to gently swab it away using an outward motion.
3. Pat your baby’s skin dry
Now your baby is out of the bath. Use a clean dry baby towel (Suzuran Baby Gauze Swaddle Bath Towel) to pat your baby’s skin dry after bath. Then, you can wrap your baby up with a big towel.
Your newborn baby may cry during his first few baths and that’s normal because it’s still new to him. Don’t get panicky or worried you may have done something wrong. You can soothe him by caressing and singing to him. He’ll learn and sooner or later he will be splashing away in the tub and love his bath time.
