How to Bathe a Newborn Baby

Bathing a tiny newborn can feel surprisingly intimidating the first few times. They are small, wriggly and slippery when wet, and it is completely reasonable to want clear instructions before you begin.

The basics are simple: prepare everything before you start, use warm rather than hot water, support your baby’s head and shoulders securely, keep their head above the water and stay with them every second they are in the bath.

You also do not need to bathe a newborn every day. NHS guidance says two or three baths a week should be fine, although you can bathe your baby more often if you both enjoy it. In the first few weeks, you may prefer to wash their face, neck, hands and bottom instead, often called “topping and tailing”.

Here is how to make that first newborn baby bath feel calmer and safer.

What you need before bathing a newborn

The easiest way to make bath time manageable is to have everything within reach before your baby goes anywhere near the water.

The NHS suggests having:

a baby bath, clean washing-up bowl or suitable sink
two towels
cotton wool
a clean nappy
clean clothes

Make sure the room is comfortably warm before you undress your baby.

This preparation matters for safety as well as convenience. Once your baby is in the bath, you should never leave them alone, even for a second. If you realise that the clean nappy is in another room, leave it there until the bath is finished rather than stepping away to collect it.

The same applies if your phone rings or somebody comes to the door.

Your attention stays with your baby.

How much water should you put in a newborn bath?

Current NHS Best Start in Life guidance recommends filling the bath to around 8 to 10 centimetres.

Run cold water first, then add hot water. Mix the water thoroughly so there are no hot patches.

Before putting your baby into the bath, check the temperature using your elbow. The water should feel around the same temperature as your body, rather than hot.

A newborn’s skin is more vulnerable to burns than an adult’s, so checking the water carefully is an essential part of preparing the bath.

Once the water is ready, stop running it before putting your baby in.

Do you need soap for a newborn bath?

You do not need a cupboard full of baby toiletries.

NHS guidance says plain water is best for a baby’s skin during the first month, so there is no need to add liquid cleansers to the bath for a newborn during this period.

Keeping things simple also makes your first few baths easier. Warm water, clean hands and a soft towel are enough for routine washing.

If you later introduce products, choose ones intended for babies and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

How to bathe a newborn baby step by step

Once the room is warm, the water is prepared and everything you need is within reach, you can begin.

1. Start with your baby’s face

Keep your baby securely supported on your knee while you gently clean their face.

You can use cotton wool and warm water. Around the eyes, NHS guidance recommends wiping gently from the nose outwards and using a fresh piece of cotton wool for each eye.

Clean around the ears rather than inside them. Do not put cotton buds into your baby’s ears.

2. Wash their hair

Support your baby securely over the bath or bowl and wash their hair gently using plain water.

Once you have finished, gently dry their hair.

There is no need for vigorous rubbing. Patting and gentle movements are enough.

3. Remove the nappy

Take off your baby’s nappy and clean away any wee or poo before lowering them into the bath.

This keeps the bath water cleaner and means you can concentrate on supporting and washing your baby once they are in the water.

4. Hold your baby securely

This is often the part new parents feel most nervous about.

The NHS advises using one hand to hold your baby’s upper arm while supporting their head and shoulders.

Keep that supportive hold as you gently lower your baby into the bath.

Your baby’s head should remain clear of the water.

5. Gently wash your baby

With your baby securely supported in one arm, use your free hand to gently swish water over their body.

There is no need to scrub.

Pay attention to little skin folds where moisture and milk can collect, particularly around the neck and other creases.

Keep talking to your baby if it feels natural. Your familiar voice can make the experience feel calmer for both of you.

6. Lift your baby out carefully

When you are ready to finish, lift your baby securely out of the water and place them straight onto a towel.

Wet babies can be slippery, so move slowly and keep a firm, comfortable hold.

7. Pat your baby dry

Wrap your baby in the towel and gently pat them dry.

Take a little extra care around skin folds and creases so moisture is not left sitting against the skin.

Once your baby is dry, put on a clean nappy and dress them so they stay comfortably warm.

Empty the bath as soon as you have finished.

The most important bath safety rule

Never leave a baby alone in the bath.

Not for a few seconds. Not while you answer the door. Not because another child is sitting beside them.

NHS safety guidance warns that babies can drown in only a few centimetres of water, and drowning may be silent.

Bath seats do not remove the need for constant supervision either. The NHS notes that a bath seat is not a safety device, and its general bathing guidance refers to Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents advice that baby bath seats should not be used.

If you need to leave the room for any reason, take your baby out of the bath with you.

When is the best time to bathe a newborn?

There is no single correct time of day.

Choose a moment when your baby is awake and content and when you are not rushing.

The NHS advises avoiding a bath immediately after a feed or when your baby is hungry or tired.

For one family, a quiet morning bath might work well. Another may prefer early evening. Some parents will simply fit baths around feeds, naps and whatever else is happening that day.

You do not need to turn bath time into a fixed part of a bedtime routine unless that happens to work for your family.

How often should you bathe a newborn?

A newborn does not need a full bath every day.

NHS Best Start in Life guidance says two or three baths a week should be fine for a newborn. If your baby enjoys bathing, they can be bathed more frequently.

Between baths, you can clean the areas that tend to need attention most often.

“Topping and tailing” means gently washing your baby’s face, neck, hands and bottom with warm water rather than giving them a full bath.

This can be particularly useful during the first few weeks when you are still getting comfortable with everyday newborn care.

What about the umbilical cord stump?

The umbilical cord stump usually dries and drops off naturally.

NHS guidance recommends keeping it clean and dry. You only need to wash around the cord if it becomes dirty with wee or poo. In that situation, clean the area with fresh cotton wool and warm water, then gently pat it dry.

Do not pull at the stump, even if it looks as though it is nearly ready to come away.

If you notice bleeding or discharge from the cord area, tell your midwife, health visitor or GP.

What if your newborn cries during the bath?

Crying does not automatically mean you are doing something wrong.

A newborn may be hungry, tired, cold, startled by the water or simply unsure about the unfamiliar experience.

You do not need to force bath time to continue.

If your baby becomes very upset, you can finish the bath, wrap them in a warm towel and try again another day.

It may also help to check the basics before the next bath. Is the room warm? Is your baby content before you start? Does the water feel comfortably warm rather than hot or cool? Are you able to move slowly without rushing?

Bathing often feels easier once you have done it a few times and know where you want everything to be.

Can you top and tail instead of bathing?

Yes.

In fact, the NHS specifically suggests topping and tailing as an option during the first few weeks.

Prepare warm water, cotton wool, a towel, a clean nappy and clothes.

You can keep most of your baby wrapped in a towel while gently cleaning one area at a time. Clean the face, neck and hands, then remove the nappy and wash the bottom and genital area with fresh cotton wool and warm water.

Dry carefully, especially between skin folds, before putting on a clean nappy.

For many tired new parents, this can be a perfectly practical way to keep a newborn clean between full baths.

A simple newborn bath checklist

Before you begin, quickly check that:

the room is warm
the bath is on a safe, stable surface
you have towels, a clean nappy and clothes ready
the water has been mixed thoroughly and checked with your elbow
the taps are turned off
everything you need is within reach
you have enough uninterrupted time to stay beside your baby

Once your baby is in the water, keep one hand supporting them and your attention on them throughout the bath.

There is no prize for making bath time elaborate. A short, calm wash is enough.

When to get professional advice

Speak to your midwife, health visitor or GP if you are worried about your baby’s skin, umbilical cord or general health.

The NHS advises telling your midwife, health visitor or GP if you notice bleeding or discharge from the umbilical cord area.

If your baby seems unwell, unusually difficult to wake, has problems breathing, is not feeding normally or you are worried by a change in their behaviour or appearance, seek medical advice. Trust your instincts if something does not seem right.

If your baby has a skin condition, was born prematurely or has particular medical needs, ask your healthcare team whether you need to adapt their bathing or skincare routine.

For most newborn baths, though, the essentials stay reassuringly simple: warm water, gentle washing, secure support and your full attention.