How to Shower a Baby: A Brief Guide

New parents experience a lot of firsts.

All of it can feel a bit overwhelming, but that’s all right.

We’re here to help you take this new big step and eliminate any sort of stress.

So, how do you shower a baby? It’s likely that you have a lot of questions. You must be wondering about temperature, what products to use, if any, and what you should do if the baby starts crying. We’re going to help you step by step.

First, you have to know when you should shower a baby.

With a newborn, it’s advised to wait at least 24 hours after birth. On a weekly basis, a bath two or three times is quite sufficient. Still, this varies from newborn to newborn. If the baby really likes taking a bath, you can do it every day.

Nevertheless, two or three times a week represents the general rule of thumb.

So, How Do You Shower a Baby?

First, you have to know that showering a baby requires a gentle touch.

You need to be delicate, since babies have extremely sensitive skin.

To shower a baby efficiently, we advise doing it a time of day when you’re completely stress-free because bathing a baby demands patience.

You don’t want to rush things. Instead, take it slow. Be methodical.

Learn to relax yourself and not to overthink things. When you accomplish that, showering a baby becomes a fun and pleasant experience for the parent and the baby, as well. With time, you can even start showering with the baby.

First things first, the baby’s safety takes precedence.

It goes without saying, yet we have to say it nonetheless: never leave the baby unattended in a bathtub. Also, make sure to do the preparations before placing your precious angel in a tub. A tub allows you to control your baby’s movement.

Preparation is key.

Make sure that you have everything ready. You want to have easy access to the towel, as well as the shampoo and lotion, so that you don’t have to leave the baby unattended at all. Avoid using soap since it dries the baby’s skin.

The ideal water temperature for babies is around 100°F.

If the water’s too hot or cold for you, then it’s too hot or cold for them, too.

Place the baby in the tub filled with water in the same manner you would place them onto a bed, gently and carefully. Start by placing the legs first.

During the whole process, make sure that you support your baby’s head when necessary. Hold them as much as you can in order to provide support.

Washing the Baby, Step By Step

After you have placed the baby in a tub, here’s what you need to do.

First, ensure that their head remains above the water at all times. Support them with one hand, and use your other hand to wash and clean. Try to avoid splashing water around. Be gentle with slow and steady movements.

Start from the head and work your way down. Take it slow.

The trick is to wash the hair and face first. Then, use a soft and natural piece of cloth or a sponge for the rest of the body. To clean your baby’s genitals, make sure to use only warm water and a cotton ball. Be very gentle about it.

As you very well know, babies have skin folds in certain areas. Clean these areas thoroughly. They’re a common place for bacteria. Also, don’t neglect your little angel’s palms and feet. You want to give them a nice and complete bath.

When it comes to products you use, don’t overdo them. In this case, less is more. Shop for natural, organic, and non-toxic products. The baby’s safety comes first.

After you’re done, gently pat the baby dry.

Then, wrap them up in a warm towel.

That’s it. You’re done. The baby smells like heaven.

There’s no right answer as to how many times you should bathe your child, but the general rule of thumb indicates two or three times a week. After all, newborns don’t get dirty, since you’re keeping them safe and isolated.

Most of their dirtiness comes from diapers and food, which you can easily and efficiently clean with baby wipes. Nevertheless, taking the time to shower a baby a few times a week helps maintain their health and well-being.

Just make sure not to overdo it. Too much showering and bathing can cause skin irritation, because it removes the baby’s natural skin protection. As with all things in your baby’s life, it all comes down to moderation and safety.

Let’s Recap

Although newborns don’t generally get dirty, every once in a while you will be washing your baby. Now that we have thoroughly explained the process and made it easy for you to understand, let’s recap with these ten tips:

• Be gentle. Be patient. Take your time.
• During bath time, never leave the baby unattended.
• Keep the water temperature at around 100°F.
• Preferably, place them in a small tub.
• Hold them with one hand, wash with the other.
• Wash the head first, then work your way down.
• Use natural and organic products.
• Remember to pat the baby dry.
• After you’re done, wrap them in a warm towel.

Taking the time to shower a baby is also a powerful bonding experience, too. After they get comfortable washing and cleaning their precious angel, many parents take the next step. They decide to start showering with their baby.

If this sounds like something you want to try out, keep reading.

Showering with the baby can be a beautiful experience.

We have all the advice you need. So, let’s get you up to speed.

Showering With Your Baby

Before you even consider the idea, get a non-slip bath mat.

You don’t want to lose your footing and accidentally send yourself and your newborn flying across the bathroom. Take the necessary precautions and get yourself a non-slip bath mat. Don’t take any risks with your baby’s safety.

Also, it’s ideal if your partner is present, too. Getting into a bathtub can be tricky when you’re holding a baby. So, if your partner’s close by, get them to help you by handing you the baby after you have gotten into the bathtub yourself.

When inside, hold the baby close to your chest.

You can use a cup to pour water over your baby.

Showering with your newborn shouldn’t be done until the baby’s umbilical cord has completely fallen off. Make sure to take every necessary precaution and double-check, because you don’t want your baby to risk an infection.

Also, remember that a newborn is more sensitive to water temperature than you. To be completely safe, you can use a thermometer. Before showering with your newborn, ensure the water temperature is fine.

Whether you’re going to be showering with your newborn or just washing and cleaning them yourself, it’s important that you prepare everything beforehand.

Since you’re going to be holding your baby, you want everything within reach.

Reduce any unnecessary risks when it comes to safety.

It’s crucial that you maintain a strong grip on your baby. Showering with your newborn can be tricky, so you may want to purchase bath gloves.

The water itself isn’t particularly slippery, but the problem lies in the smoothness of the baby’s skin that can make it hard to shower with your newborn.

Keep it short and remember to get out of the bathtub safely.

Preferably, you want your partner to help you.

What Else Should You Keep In Mind?

Despite the initial stress around it, taking the time to shower a baby results in a powerful bonding experience. It doesn’t matter if you’re showering with the baby or if you’re just washing them; there’s an aura of fulfillment that follows.

So, enjoy it. Take it all in.

Don’t stress yourself to the point where you cannot savor this wonderful first. There’s something special about the first time you shower a baby, something that provides your responsibility with all the delight in the world.

Yes, it can seem overwhelming at first, but now that we’ve covered what you should know, there’s not much for you to worry about. Mind the risks and you’re good to go. Enjoy this special one-on-one time with your precious angel.

Here’s a few more helpful tips to make it easier and more enjoyable:

• If possible, get your soulmate to help you. Take the bonding experience to the next level by showering with your soulmate and the baby, too.
• Remember, babies are slippery. Use bath gloves.
• It’s all right if you don’t want to shower with your baby. Every parent needs some me time. Don’t feel pressured to give that up.
• Observe your baby. Every newborn reacts to water differently.
• Above all else, don’t rush anything. Take it slow.

It takes a certain degree of dexterity to shower a baby.

If you don’t feel confident in your ability to hold your baby firmly in one hand and wash with the other, than you may want to look into alternatives, such as placing your baby in a tub and sitting down to wash and clean them.

Try to keep it brief. A five to ten-minute bath is certainly enough for your newborn. After all, babies have extremely sensitive skin.

When Should You Give Your Baby a Bath?

So, what’s the ideal time to give the baby a wash?

Well, babies don’t get dirty. You don’t have to give them a bath every day. Most of their time, they spend in warm, safe and tidy places. So, there’s not hygienic reason for you to shower them more than two or three times a week.

Some babies like water. If your newborn loves showering, you can still do it daily, but we advise sticking to the general rule of thumb.

You can give your baby a bath at any time of day.

Nevertheless, it’s perhaps best to do so when you’re feeling stress-free since you will have to remain calm and patient throughout the process.

However, after a little practice, showering your baby becomes a relaxing experience, as well, as one that thoroughly nourishes your body and soul.

In Conclusion

Now that you know everything you need to know, there’s no reason to overthink things any longer. Just think about it. Every parent that ever existed had showered their baby. So, there’s no reason for you to stress at all. You got this.

For first-time parents, everything seems a bit frightening.

With time and practice, however, things fall into place.

You begin to see that it’s not as scary as you may think after all. You just have to mind a few risks, and use your rationality, and everything about having a baby to look after turns into a wonderful and life-changing experience.

The fact that you’re here and doing your research says a lot.

You’re a great parent because you’re thinking about risks and dangers. Naturally, with how tender and fragile newborns are, we want to do what’s best for them, and protect them from unnecessary dangers. We’re here to help.

With the instructions provided above, you’re good to go.

As with every parent and every first, you learn with experience.

Keep in mind that your baby is learning, too. This may be the first time that you’re showering a baby, but this is their first time taking a shower at all. It may not all be smiles and giggles right from the start. Give it time. Be patient.

Eventually, with the right approach, the right mindset, showering your baby becomes a beautiful experience, as it has for every parent before you. So, roll up your sleeves. Prepare in advance. Recap on what your baby needs.

Above all else, don’t be afraid to get a little wet, too.