Baby Dove baby bath routine

Finding a baby bath routine for your newborn

  • 1
    Go at your own pace.

    If the first baby bath seems overwhelming for you and your little one initially, you don't have to rush into it. A newborn baby doesn't need a bath 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 mommy's hand, so we could control the temperature of the water"

  • 2
    An easy alternative.

    Until you feel ready to put your little one in the water, you can keep them comfortable on a towel and try washing their face, beck, hands, and bottom. "Sometimes water and cotton wool is all your baby's delicate skin needs to keep it clean," says Emily, mom of one. And to make it even simpler, you can try Baby Dove Sensitive Moisture Hand and Face Wipes. As gentle as water, these wipes are created to suit your newborn's delicate skin, leaving it soft and moisturized

  • 3
    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 98 degrees Fahrenheit. 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 Fragrance Free Moisture Hypoallergenic 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 mom of three, Bindu

  • 4

    The post-bath routine.

    With the first baby bath time complete, you can breathe a sigh of relief and (hopefully) feel that it wasn’t as challenging as you’d thought. But maybe you’re wondering what to do next to settle and comfort your little one. “Warm a baby towel and then lay it out," advises Craig, dad of a newborn. "When he comes out of the bath, he can get warm and cozy quickly." You can finish by moisturizing, and even trying a massage with a soothing lotion that's gentle on delicate newborn skin, such as Baby Dove Fragrance Free Moisture Hypoallergenic Lotion

  • 5

    Timing.

    There really are no rules to baby bath time. From the moment your baby arrives, it's up to you how often you bathe 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 route but Laura, mom 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"

  • 6

    Trust your way.

    As a first time parent, you'll be figuring out lots of things as you go, and baby bath time is one of those. But however you decide to do it, trust that your way is the right way for you and your baby.

The best way to care for your baby? Your way

Trust Your Way

There are no perfect moms. Only real ones