Looking back on the family photograph albums from when you were a baby, we all know the ones your older relatives would have swooned over the most: the adorable snaps of you and your sibling covered in shampoo, and fighting over a little rubber duck while sharing a bubble bath!

But now you’re a parent yourself, you’ll realise that the combination of bath time and tiny children takes a lot more thought than you’d first thought. Although it may seem straightforward at face value, different parents will have different opinions – and we understand that this may be confusing!

If you’ve got questions regarding your baby and bath time, we’re here to answer them and set the record straight.

So, let’s get to the bottom of how you should be bathing your baby.

How should I be bathing my baby?

Sponge baths until the stump of the umbilical cord falls off. If you have a newborn, then give them sponge baths until the stump of their umbilical cord has fallen off.

Let any circumcision wounds heal. If your newborn is a boy and happens to be circumcised, then let the wound heal properly until bathing.

Daily baths aren’t needed. If you have an older baby, then there’s no need to give them daily baths. However, if you believe your baby seems to really enjoy bathing, then there’s no harm in bathing them every day, at least to begin with.

Bathing is a great way to calm and relax your baby. A lot of parents find that as their babies get used to bath time, it’s a routine that really helps to calm and relax them before bed. If this is the case for your baby, try bathing them before bed to wind them down for the night. Make sure the water is warm, but not hot. Test it with your elbow.

If you have a newborn, cleaning with a gentle cloth is enough. If your baby is especially young, then gently cleaning them with a cloth around their face, hands and bottom will be sufficient. This is called “topping and tailing”. Start with the face and under the neck and finish with the bottom.

Limit your baby’s baths to two or three times per week. In terms of how many times you should aim to bathe your baby a week, for the first year of their lives, it’s sensible to aim for around two or three. You don’t need to buy a baby bath, a clean washing up bowl is perfect for a small baby.

Be mindful of your infant’s sensitive skin. Every baby will have different skin, however, some have particularly dry or sensitive skin, as their skin hasn’t had the time to develop the ability to maintain moisture. So be mindful of this when it comes to your baby and the type of soaps you are using.

Don’t forget to follow your own judgement. Remember that amongst all the advice and differing opinions, when it comes to your baby, you will ultimately have an innate sense of what is right for them and their routine. And if you’re a parent that actively encourages messy play and exploration, then your baby may need more baths than others!

Remember that some babies will find baths or water experiences stressful. Although some babies will really enjoy the experience of bath time, others will find it unpleasant, and even painful. This is because some babies have sensory integration challenges, which means bath time can be a frustrating or even fearful process. If this is the case for your baby, be really mindful of the temperature of the water, and how fast or slow it is running while they are bathing.

Make bath time fun! Although learning what works for your baby and their bath time can be tricky, once you’ve figured it out, don’t be afraid to have fun! You can greatly enhance bath time by singing songs with your baby and bringing out some fun toys they can play with.

What kind of baths should my baby be having, and how frequently?

On our Baby Health Journey, we look at how and how often to bathe your little one.