Bathing Your Baby

Now that your baby is a little older, he is probably done with sponge baths and may enjoy splashing in a real bath.

A safe and fun bath requires that you prepare. Get everything you need: towel, washcloth, mild baby soap, baby shampoo and a baby bathtub or nonskid mat for the sink. (Skip the bubble bath; it will irritate your baby’s skin and could cause a rash.)

Put 2-3 inches of warm water in the sink or tub and use a kitchen thermometer to be sure it is no more than 98-100 degrees F. You can also test the water on the inside of your arm; it should feel no more than mildly warm.

Always keep one hand on your baby to keep him from squirming and slipping, and take care that he doesn’t knock his head on the faucet or side of the sink.

Never leave your baby alone in the bath, even for a second!

Some babies adore bath time and feel comforted by the warm water and your voice and hands. Others would prefer to avoid baths altogether. If your baby doesn’t enjoy bathing, you may not need to wash more than his face, hands and diaper area very often until he’s crawling and walking.

This message is not intended to provide individual medical advice. Always seek the advice of a physician or qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have about your health or medical condition, your breastfeeding issues and your infant's health. Never disregard, avoid or delay contacting a doctor or other qualified professional because of something you have read in our emails, webpages or other electronic communications.