For many new and first-time parents baby's first bath can be a little unnerving, but there's no need to worry! Many babies (newborns included!) love the relaxed bonding of bath time, and with the right setup and routine you can feel the same.
When thinking about when to give the first bath, keep in mind that your newborn should only be sponge bathed for the first couple of weeks at home or until the umbilical cord stump heals and falls off. From there, your baby doesn't need a bath every day and either twice a week or every other day are two of the schedules I see most frequently. That being said, if your baby loves bath time it's absolutely okay to bathe every day, just make sure you're keeping an eye on baby's skin for signs of dryness and ideally using a baby lotion after each bath.
The most common reason for bathing every day is when baby finds bath time relaxing and it works and the start of a nighttime routine. If this is the case for your little one, definitely capitalize on it to improve your overall experience with putting baby down for sleep. If not, I recommend bathing during the day as a wake time activity to avoid an upset baby at sleep time.
Just like with diaper changes, it's important to go ahead and gather everything you'll need for the bath before you start. This not only makes everything easier on you as the caregiver, but it also prevents the need to leave baby unattended in the bath (which should NEVER occur) to acquire a missing item. In general, your baby bath setup should include the following:
Soft washcloths
Bath seat for basin or sink (plus cushion if needed)
Baby shampoo and baby soap (non-irritating)
Hooded baby towel
Clean diaper and clothing (usually pjs)
Bath toys (if needed/desired) to help keep baby occupied
To start your routine, make sure the room you're using is warm (around 75 degrees). In fact, many parents find using a small space heater to be the difference between a bath that lulls baby into a comfy sleep, and a screaming, grumpy, nightmare. Once your room is set up and you have your items ready, place a non-skid cushion or towel at the bottom of the seat/tub so your baby will not slide around (why are little ones are so slippery?!). Run warm water (between 90 to 100 degrees or warm to the inside of your wrist) into the sink/tub. Gently undress your baby while talking in a soothing voice, explaining what you are doing, and then slowly place the baby in the water.
Start washing the face with just a little bit of baby soap. Next, wash the head (keeping soap out of the eyes), and continue moving downward. When bathing your baby, make sure to clean the following areas (and adorable chunky creases) thoroughly: neck, ears, butt and groin area, and legs. Try not to get the umbilical cord area wet; but you can gently clean it with a cotton ball dipped in alcohol if desired. When bathing a baby with a circumcised penis, try not to move the foreskin back when cleaning just like with diaper changes. For babies with vaginas, gently wipe the vulva clean with a washcloth. For all babies, once you have the front clean, then move on and finish with the back side.
Once you're finished washing, dry your baby thoroughly (using your hooded towel to make sure that baby's hair is dry to prevent heat loss) and then dress them. You can also add in a little baby massage with lotion before dressing for extra comfort, bonding, and relaxation. The first bath may take a little bit of time because babies are little wiggle worms, but once you both get used to the routine it can become extremely simple, enjoyable, and relaxing. Have fun, and cue the bubble beards and mohawks!
