Finding your newborn baby bath routine

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The first few days at home with your newborn baby are sure to create special memories, but are likely to create some challenges, too – including that first bath. So what is the best technique for washing a newborn baby? You’ll soon find the way that works best for you and establish a routine, but in the meantime, here’s some inspiration from other first time parents to help you get there.

With a tiny, wriggling newborn and all that slippery soapy water, it’s easy to understand why the first baby bath time might seem daunting. But for many parents, baby’s bath time is one of the best moments of the day, and as your confidence grows, each one will be a little easier. Before you know it, you’ll have mastered a bathing routine that works for your family. Because there’s no right or wrong way to do it – different things suit different babies, as these experiences from mums and dads go to show:

1
Go at your own pace.
If the first baby bath seems a bit much for you and your little one initially, you don’t have to rush into it. A newborn baby doesn’t need a wash straight away, so you can do what works for you both. If they enjoy being in the bath that’s great, but there are other options too – as Junaid, Baby Dove employee and dad of three, explains: “We held the baby in our hands and poured water on mummy’s hand, so we could control the temperature of the water”
2
Warm and gentle care.
When the time is right for that first bath, try to keep the room warm and the baby bath temperature to 37 degrees. To clean them, especially if their skin is dry, try a mild baby bath wash that is safe to use on newborns, such as Baby Dove Sensitive Moisture Head to Toe Wash. “It can be even better than washing with water alone, because it has 100% skin natural nutrients that help replenish the moisture in baby skin that is lost during bathing,” says Baby Dove Research and Development expert and mum of three, Bindu
3
The post-bath routine.
With the first baby bath time complete, you can breathe a sigh of relief and (hopefully) reflect that it wasn’t as challenging as you’d thought. But maybe you’re wondering about what to do next to settle and comfort your little one. “Warm a baby towel and then lay it out ready,” advises Craig, dad of a newborn. “When your baby comes out of the bath, they can get warm and cosy quickly.” You could finish by moisturising and trying a massage with a soothing lotion that’s gentle on delicate newborn skin – such as the Baby Dove Sensitive Moisture Lotion
4
Time-wise.
Although you might think differently, there really are no rules to baby bath time. From the moment your baby arrives, it’s up to you how often you bath them and when to do it – although it can be a little easier if they aren’t too tired, hungry or full. Some parents prefer making it part of the evening routine but Laura, mum of two, found earlier in the day worked for her: “When both my babies were newborn, I bathed them mid-morning when they were most alert and most rested”