Safety Tips for Bathing Your Baby

Decide where you are most comfortable bathing your baby and gather your supplies ahead of time. You will need towels, washcloths, shampoo/body wash, diapers, and clothes. Use the tips below to help keep your baby safe.

Caution

To prevent scalds, turn your hot water heater down to 120°F (49°C) or lower.

Step 1. Never leave your baby alone in a bath

• Even an inch of water can be deadly for a newborn.

• If you must leave the room, always take the baby with you.

Step 2. Put the water into a small tub

• A small tub lets you control the water temperature for your baby’s bath.

• When adjusting your baby’s bath water, start with cool water and add hot water to it.

• Mix the water until it feels warm but not hot.

• Always test the water temperature with your elbow, or drop water onto the inside part of your arm. You can also buy a thermometer made for testing bath water.

Step 3. Keep your baby warm

A hooded towel can keep baby warmer during drying.

• The temperature of the room where you’re bathing your baby should be about 75°F.

• Keep your baby out of drafts, especially when they are wet.

• Pat your baby dry as soon as you’re done with the bath.

• To keep your baby from getting a chill, cover their head with a fresh, dry towel.

• You can wash your baby's body first, and then wrap them in a warm towel while washing the hair last. 

Step 4. Handle with care

• Clean only the parts of your baby that you can see.

• Don’t poke cotton swabs into your baby’s ears or nose.

• Wait until the umbilical cord falls off before bathing your baby in a tub. Once the bellybutton has healed, you can get your baby’s entire stomach wet. You can sponge bathe your baby while the umbilical cord is still attached.