Bathtime Routine for Babies

Bathtime Routine for Babies

So, you are a new parent wondering, what is the best bathtime routine for your baby? You may be asking yourself questions such as; how often should I bathe my baby? What is topping and tailing? How do I bathe my baby safely? Or you find yourself searching for other tips when washing and looking after your baby.  

Well, you are in the right place, as we are going to cover all you need to know about bathtime routines for babies and more!  

What Does a Baby Bathtime Routine Entail?  

Let’s go back to basics, start from the very beginning, and go over the things you need to do for your baby’s bathtime routine.  

Baby Bathtime Essentials  

Now you have the gear, let’s get some ideas and prepare for the ultimate baby bathtime routine.  

Pre-Baby Bathtime Routine 

Firstly, fill the bowl with water. Do not use hot water to bathe your little one as this can be harmful to your little one and cause extreme pain. Run the cold water first and then add hot water until the water is warm but not hot. You should always test the water to determine the temperature, which you can do by simply mixing the water around to even the temperature. Once settled, check it with your wrist or elbow or a thermometer.

You may have noticed that we didn’t include bath soap on your bathtime routine essentials list, as for the first month of being born, it is best to clean your newborn with warm water only. Once they reach 4 – 6 months, you can start introducing products such as Childs Farm Baby Bath Essentials bit by bit.  

Baby Bathtime Routine 

Now, onto the bathtime routine for your baby. The National Health Service (NHS) suggests that you hold your little one on your knee and gently use the warm water that you have temperature tested to clean their face.  

Once you have cleaned their face, you can move onto their hair. It is best practice to support them over the bowl and let the water run off their head. Now that you have washed their hair, you can dry it off with their Towel.

Now it is time to remove your baby’s nappy and clean any mess made before gently placing them into the bowl or bath. To ensure your little one's safety and comfort, one of your hands should be holding the upper arms and supporting the baby’s head and shoulders, whilst the other is carefully moving the water over the baby’s body, being careful not to make any sudden splashes.  

Once you feel you have given your baby a thorough clean, you can use the towel to carefully pat them dry.  

Top Tips 

  • Your baby’s head must always be kept clear of the water.  
  • If your baby isn’t keen on bathing and starts crying, then you can try bathing together to provide the extra comfort. Just make sure the water temperature is suitable for your baby and not yourself.  
  • Massaging your little one whilst in the bath can help relax them – a great routine to do before you settle them down for a nap.  

 How Often Should I Bathe My Baby?  

Now you know the ultimate baby bathtime routine, backed up medically by the NHS. You might be wondering how often you need to bathe your baby. It is advised that you do not need to bathe your baby daily, but you can use a different technique called Topping and Tailing. This technique is quick, efficient and easy to do, once you know what it is. So, let’s look into it in more detail.  

 

What is Topping and Tailing?  

Topping and tailing is a technique that can be used on a daily basis to make sure your baby is clean.  

  1. First, you should lay your baby on a changing mat and remove their clothes, excluding their vest and nappy.  
  2. Wrap them in a towel to keep them cosy.  
  3. Grab your cotton wool and, without soaking it, carefully dip it in the water.  
  4. Gently wipe around your baby’s eyes from the nose outward.  
  5. Using a fresh piece of cotton, wipe around the ears, making sure to avoid cleaning inside of them.  
  6. Move on cleaning your baby’s face, neck, and hands.  
  7. Once you have done this, you can dry them off by gently using a towel.  
  8. Remove your baby’s nappy and wash their bottom and genital area with another piece of cotton wool.  
  9. Once dried, you can dress them in a clean nappy.  


Top Tips 

  • Use a fresh piece of cotton for each eye to avoid transferring any infection from eye to eye.  
  • You can encourage your baby to relax by simply talking to them while you wash them.  

In Summary

You know the cliche saying “failing to prepare is preparing to fail”, well you can apply that to your baby’s bedtime routine. If you prepare your bathtime essentials before the bathtime, you will be making your life as a parent that little bit easier.  

Although it is not essential that you bathe your child every day, there is no harm if they enjoy it. We would advise not doing a bathtime routine straight after a feed or when your baby is hungry or tired.  

The most important tip to keep your little one safe in the bath is never leaving them alone, even with older children. Babies of any age should be supervised by a responsible adult at all times.

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