Expert Newborn Tips: Bathing Your Baby

Something I was not expecting as a new Mom was that one of the things I was most afraid of when I brought my newborn home was giving him baths. What if the water is too hot or too cold? How do I know which soaps, towels, or scrubs are the safest? What if scrubbing the cradle cap off is painful to him? I had a million questions, and I am one of those Mamas who does not have a big village to help me answer them. Now, as a mom of three, I am something of a baby bathing expert. Want your questions answered? Keep reading to learn our expert newborn bathing tips, including how silicone bath scrubs for newborns saved me in the early weeks for each of my babies.

How Often Do I Bath My Baby?

When you think about it, newborn babies aren’t subjected to much yet. They aren’t sweating, playing in the mud, and getting their hands into germs quite yet. However, they do wear diapers, have blowouts, have flaky skin, and have umbilical cords to consider.

Bathing your newborn depends on their individual needs. However, on average, bathing your newborn 1-2 times per week should do just fine.

Here are some tips when deciding how often to bathe your newborn:

• Has their umbilical cord fallen off yet? If not, it is important to make sure you’re not submerging your baby in water all the way quite yet.
• Does your baby get sweaty? Baby wearing, especially in the summer, can make your baby sweaty. If your baby gets sweaty, consider bathing more often than not.
• Do you have other children in the house? If your newborn has older siblings, it might be more important to bathe them more often due to germs, and also as a bonding experience for your toddler to enjoy.
• Does your baby have cradle cap? If your baby has cradle cap that is causing issues, you can use our Mini Fish Scrub to get it off in the bath.
• Do you suspect sensitive skin issues? If you suspect your baby has sensitive skin, bathe them less frequently and talk to your pediatrician about how often to bathe your baby.

How Do I Bathe My Baby, Step-By-Step?

Bathing a baby can feel intimidating for a brand-new Mom. Trust me, I’ve been there.

Here’s how to bathe your baby like a veteran mom, step-by-step:

1. Get the environment right. Before you get your baby undressed to bathe, make sure that your house isn’t too cold, there are no open windows, and gather all your supplies. Put everything right next to the sink basin so that you do not have to walk away to grab anything. Swish the water around the bath several times to ensure there are no hot spots throughout the bath tub.
2. Start with your baby’s face. First things first: wash your baby’s face with plain water. This is to ensure you do not transfer bacteria from dirty bath water to your baby’s eyes, nose, or mouth. If you’re worried about their head being cold, place a hat or dry washcloth on your baby’s head.
3. Scrub the cradle cap. If your baby has cradle cap issues, now is the time to use your Innobaby Mini Fish Scrub to gently work it away.
4. Work your way down. Use gentle soap and pay special attention to their folds, neck, and diaper area. Don’t forget to check around their ears and in between their fingers and toes.
5. Dry your baby and get them warm. After rinsing your baby thoroughly, pick them up and immediately wrap them in a towel. Gently pat their skin and dry your baby’s head first.
6. Dress your baby. Head over to the changing table, if you have one, and get your baby dressed. All clean!

What Bath Products Do I Use for My Baby?

There is a lot of noise out there, especially for first-time Moms. Luckily, bathing is simple and you only need a few things.

Here’s what to add to your registry or shopping list:

• Baby bathtub
• Rinsing cup
• Hooded baby towels
• Mild baby soap
• Innobaby Mini Fish Scrub for cradle cap and flaky skin

For more parenting tips and safe products for babies, visit us at Innobaby.com!