Baby Bathing

Tub baths

After the umbilical cord stump dries up, falls off, and the area heals, you can start giving your newborn tub baths. While a baby is tiny, it makes the most sense to use the kitchen sink or a small plastic baby tub instead of a standard tub.

Although some parents bathe their babies every day for the sheer pleasure of it, until a baby is crawling around and getting into messes, a bath isn’t really necessary more than once or twice a week. When you do bathe your newborn, you may find it a little scary at first.

Handling a wiggling, wet, and soapy little creature takes practice and confidence, so stay calm and maintain a good grip on him. Some babies find the warm water very soothing. If this is the case with your baby, let him linger. Others cry through the whole bath — that’s when you’ll want to get him in and out. Keeping the bathing room warm can help.