Bathing Your Baby

"Bath time is 'Daddy Time.' They love it." - Veteran Mom

Bathing Your Baby 

"Bath time is 'Daddy Time.' They love it." - Veteran Mom

Setting the Stage

A small plastic baby tub with a sponge base is a good bet. Fill it with 3 inches of warm but not hot water (90-95 degrees F). Keep the room warm if you can. You'll want to be as prepared as a NASCAR pit crew; everything should be ready and within reach, including:

  • Soft washcloth

  • Baby Soap

  • Towel

  • Cup for Rinsing

  • New diaper

  • Ointment

  • Change of clothing

Dad(s) 101: How to Bathe Your Baby (7:01)

SAFETY FIRST: NEVER LEAVE YOUR BABY UNATTENDED; If you need to leave the room for any reason, bundle him in a towel and take him with you.

Step by Step

Essential steps include:

  • Undress him, dip his feet in the water, and then lay him in the sponge insert. Hold his head up with one hand while you wash with the other.  The water should be deep enough to keep him warm, but not so deep that he will start floating and become difficult to hold onto.
  • Using a soft washcloth and a small amount of baby soap, bathe him from the feet up.
  • Dip the washcloth in the warm water repeatedly and let it flow over him to keep him warm. 
  • Be careful to not get soap in his eyes; wipe them from the inside out after you squeeze excess soapy water out of the washcloth.
  • Do his scalp last, and using the cup, make sure the water flows off the back of his head and does not get in his eyes.
  • Rinse him off with cups of warm water, then carefully lift your slippery baby out of the tub, bundle him in a towel to dry, and diaper and dress him.  

Enjoy the moment and then show mom her happy, clean, sweet smelling baby.

"Our three and a half week old hates baths but loves the shower. Totally calms her. So we wash her in the shower now when we can." - Veteran Dad

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