Check the temperature is not too hot with your elbow. Get yourself settled and relaxed in the bath.This could be your partner, your parent or a friend. It's better to bath with your baby when there's someone else to hand them to you and take them from you. Remember, your baby might have a wee or poo while in the bath with you!īaths are slippery, so it’s not a good idea to get into or out of a bath carrying your baby. Having a bath with your baby can help you both relax and encourage breastfeeding.Babies love to lie on a parent’s chest in the bath.To find out more about caring for your newborn baby's umbilical cord, see our article on topping and tailing. Plain water is best for your baby’s skin during in the first month (NHS, 2021). You don’t need any special products to bathe your baby only mild, non-perfumed soap can be used where needed.It can help to have an extra pair of hands at bath time, if available, until you feel confident about bathing your baby on your own.If you’d prefer to share a bath with your little one, see below for more details.You can wash your newborn in a small baby bath.Warm tap water is probably fine but if you want to be particularly careful, use cooled boiled water to reduce the chance of infections in the first week or until your baby's cord drops off. If you want to top and tail your newborn, you can do this by washing them using cotton wool or a soft cloth and bowls of warm water.Every baby is different – you will soon find out what works best for you and your little one.If you’d prefer to top and tail your newborn, you can do this every day or every few days or as needed.Your little one won’t need a bath every day but if they enjoy it, there’s no reason why you can’t.Choose a time of day when your baby is happy and awake (NHS, 2021). You may need to try different ways of bathing your baby and at different times of day, to find out what suits you both. Some babies love bath time to begin with, others don’t.It’s better not to bathe your baby straight after a feed or when they’re hungry or tired. Choose a bath time when your little one is content and awake.If you’re feeling confident about bathing your baby you can do so when you wish.This is sometimes called ‘topping and tailing’. You may prefer to just wash your little one’s face and bottom to begin with.If you’re anxious about bathing your little one, you don’t need to put them into a bath until you feel confident about it.Babies get cold quickly, and that’s more risky for them than being a bit dirty. There is no set age when you should give your baby a bath."Never leave your baby alone in the bath, not even for a second (NHS, 2021)." When should I give my baby a bath? Or take your baby with you to get what you need. If you forget anything – ask your partner or another family member to grab it for you.Leaving your little one even for a few moments could be enough time for them to seriously hurt themselves or drown. What feels like a couple of seconds can turn into a minute or two. Don’t be distracted away by another child, a phone call or doorbell.The water should feel neither warmer or colder than your elbow. The standard way to check is to put your elbow in the water because your hand can cope with high temperatures. Check the bath water temperature first before putting your baby in.Make sure you always use the hot and cold taps at the same time when you run the bath.Get everything ready ahead of your baby’s bath, so you have everything you need to hand.Babies and young children should never be left unattended in a bath, not even for a second (NHS, 2021). It’s important to keep safety in mind at bath time.
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