Baby Bath Time and Tips

Once baby is past the newborn stage, bathtime starts to become fun for both baby and parents – and many dads enjoy making bathtime their special time with baby.

At first, some babies don’t take too kindly to being unwrapped and feel happier and more secure when neatly bundled. But with a little time and patience most babies take to baths like ducks to water. A warm bath can often soothe a restless baby or calm a tired one, cool a baby in the summer or warm your little treasure when the weather is cold. There’s always the exception to the rule – the baby who dislikes water. In that case, you have to be content to ‘top and tail’ your little one until they feel more comfortable bathing.

Getting Started

Before you start to bath, make sure you everything below ready. Take the phone off the hook. Never leave your baby unattended for even a second due to drowning risk.

baby bath (or a big basin to go in a bath)
baby’s own towel and washer
change mat
baby wipes
cotton balls
baby powder
baby soap or baby shampoo
baby bath lotion / moisturizer
nappy/diaper cream
nappy/diaper and change of clothes

Step-by-step on How to Bath a Baby

Make sure the room is draught-free and warm if it it’s cool weather.
Always put cold water in first then top up with hot water. Check the temperature of the water carefully with the inside of your wrist to make sure it is not too hot or too cold. A warm (37 degree Celcius or 99 degree Fahrenheit) deep bath is more relaxing than a cool shallow one.
Take baby’s diaper off and if it is dirty, wash baby’s bottom in separate water or wipe it off with baby wipes.
Wash baby’s face first with a clean washer.
Wipe baby’s eyes carefully using a new cotton ball for each eye, starting from the inner eye and wiping gently outwards. Never wipe inside the nose or inside the ears with the same cotton ball.
Never leave baby unattended.
After taking baby out, wrap in a soft towel. Dry gently. Dry well between folds of skin, especially neck, groin, between toes – skin rashes and sores can quickly appear if skin is left damp.
Comb baby’s hair with a soft brush or wide-toothed comb.

As baby gets older and can reach around, beware of hot taps – wrap the tap in a towel or face towel. Make sure things are well out of reach from an older baby – not just razors and medications, but also soaps and shampoos. Check out our 5 tips to make bath time fun and safe for a toddler here.