The Bottom Line Once they hit six months, you can start bathing them three to four times a week; you can also bathe them daily if your doctor gives you the go-ahead. And once they become a toddler, you should be bathing (or showering) them daily or every other day. It's best to use warm water for a baby bath or shower.
How often does my newborn need a bath? There's no need to give your newborn baby a bath every day. Three times a week might be enough until your baby becomes more mobile. Bathing your baby too much can dry out your baby's skin.
1-6 months
During their first half of their first year, continue to bathe your baby sparingly. One to two baths a week should do the trick. After three months, it's okay to bathe them three times a week. Although they don't necessarily need it as they aren't very active yet, it won't do any harm.
Experts generally agree that parents can safely bathe their newborns three times a week. That said, there is no hard and fast rule about how often you should bathe your infant. The AAP notes that three baths a week should be plenty for a newborn, but if you want to bathe your baby even less frequently, that's fine too!
Yes, baths as part of the bedtime routine can be so helpful in helping babies sleep, but they can also be a great tool for parents anytime of day! For more tips on all things baby sleep and routines, head to my blog. It's packed with so much good information to help you navigate those first years with your little one.
1 Month – 3 Months
If your baby is 2 months old and you're wondering how often to bathe him, read this: For babies between the ages of 1 and 3 months, bathing once or twice a week is recommended.
But for most families, bathing the baby two to three times a week is plenty after the first couple of weeks of life. In fact, we recommend delaying your newborn's first full bath for at least two weeks. Newborns shed about three layers of skin within their first week, which often surprises new parents.
Most babies only need their hair washed two or three times per week, but it's best to use your parental instinct. You'll know when your child's hair is dirty and could do with a wash. If it doesn't need shampooing, you don't need too, just gently rinse their head with water and a soft flannel.
You can bath your newborn baby at any time of the day. It's a good idea to pick a time when you're relaxed and you won't be interrupted. And it's best to avoid bathing your baby when they're hungry or straight after a feed.
A bath 2-3 times a week is enough to keep your baby clean. But if your baby really likes baths, you can bath your baby once a day. Bathing more than this can dry out your baby's skin. About 5-10 minutes is long enough for a baby bath.
Most babies can start tummy time sessions a day or two after they are born. Babies benefit from having two or three short (3- to 5-minute) tummy time sessions each day. As your baby gets older, you can have longer, more regular sessions throughout the day.
While many parents rely on tools such as bulb syringes and aspirators, saline spray can sometimes be used as a substitute or to make the remainder of the process easier. Place your baby in a reclined position with the chin tilted up and spray two or three drops into each nostril. Try a rubber bulb syringe.
Baths help to keep your baby's skin healthy. Their skin is very sensitive so you should avoid using soaps made for adults and make sure that you use the best baby soap and body wash for them. Bathing also helps you keep a check on the rashes and dryness of your baby's skin.
There are no set rules about how long to wait before taking a newborn out into the world or when to let people near the baby. Some doctors recommend that parents wait until their baby is a few months old before going to crowded public places (like malls, movie theaters, and airplanes).
Let your little one soak and play in their breast milk bath – be sure to have some bath toys on hand to make it fun! – for at least 10 – 20 minutes. There's no need to rinse him or her with regular bathwater before taking them out and drying them off. This can also be a gorgeous opportunity for a unique photo op!
You may bathe your baby daily, but for the first few months, 2 or 3 times a week is often enough for a full body surface bath. Clean your baby's face and hands with warm water whenever they become dirty throughout the day.
Babies of any age should always be supervised by adults while in the bath. You don't need to bathe your baby every day, but if they really enjoy it, there's no reason why you shouldn't. It's best not to bathe your baby straight after a feed or when they're hungry or tired.
Common bacterial infections for newborns include Group B Strep and E. Coli which can lead to pneumonia and meningitis. By delaying the first bath, you are allowing the vernix to continue working as a safety net for your little one's immune system.
Just avoid bathing your newborn right after a feeding (it's best to let her food settle a bit first) or when she's overtired. Babies tend to be more alert in the morning, which is appealing to some, though others may slate it in the early evening as part of her goodnight activities.
Changing Diapers and Cleansing the Bottom:
After you remove a wet diaper, you don't need to do anything. Urine does not contain any germs. And hardly any urine is left of the skin.
As a newborn your baby will look into your eyes, especially during skin-to-skin contact and feedings. By 1 month old your baby will see your entire face. By 2 to 3 months old their ability to focus will improve. At 3 months old they will enjoy looking at black-and-white patterns.
When your little one is about a month old, their nails will have started to harden a little. This will make it easier to trim them using special baby nail scissors, which have rounded tips, baby nail clippers, or an emery board, though you'll still need to do this carefully.