Bath time gets easier with a routine. Newborns start with sponge baths, move to a small tub once the umbilical cord stump has fallen off, and toddlers need a few extra precautions in the big tub. If you’re still choosing a tub, see our infant bathtub guide.
Before you start
Gather everything first, so you never need to step away from your baby:
- Towel
- Washcloth
- Mild, fragrance-free baby soap or wash
- Clean diaper and clothes
- A bath thermometer, if you use one
Then set up the room and the water:
- Warm the room to around 75°F so your baby doesn’t get chilled.
- Check your water heater. Set it to 120°F (49°C) or lower to prevent scalds.
- Fill first, then turn off the tap. Start with cool water and add hot. Turn the tap off before your baby goes in, and never let water run during the bath.
- Keep the water warm, not hot. KidsHealth suggests 90 to 100°F, and Nationwide Children’s about 100°F. Test it with the inside of your elbow or wrist, or with a bath thermometer.
- Use only a few inches of water. Sources suggest 2 to 4 inches, or no more than 3.
Sponge baths for newborns
Give sponge baths until the umbilical cord stump falls off, which usually happens at around 1 to 2 weeks, and until a circumcision has healed, if your baby had one. Keep the stump dry and follow your provider’s directions for cord care.
First tub baths
Once the stump has fallen off and any circumcision has healed, a small infant tub or the sink is fine. Our infant bathtub guide compares current infant tubs.
How often to bathe your baby
In the first year, about three baths a week may be enough if you clean the diaper area well at every change. Bathing more often can dry out your baby’s skin. Use mild, fragrance-free products in small amounts, and skip bubble bath.
Step by step: a tub bath
- Set everything out, warm the room and fill the tub as described above. Turn the tap off.
- Check the water temperature with your elbow, wrist or a bath thermometer.
- Lower your baby in feet first. Keep their head and face well above the water.
- Keep at least one hand on your baby and your eyes on them for the whole bath.
- Wash with a washcloth and a small amount of mild soap. Don’t put cotton swabs in their ears or nose.
- If you need to leave the room, even for a second, wrap your baby in a towel and take them with you.
- Lift your baby out and wrap them in a towel straight away, including their head. Pat them dry.
Never leave a baby alone in the bath, and never put an older child in charge of bath time. Drowning can happen quickly and silently, in very little water.
Bath seats and rings: why we don’t recommend them
Bath seats and rings hold a sitting baby upright in the big tub. They are bathing aids, not safety devices. The federal safety standard for bath seats requires a permanent warning label saying exactly that, along with stricter rules on stability and leg openings.
In 2026 the CPSC warned consumers to stop using several bath seats sold on Amazon that don’t meet the mandatory standard, including Lucakuins and YCXXKJ seats, because of the risk of drowning and, for the Lucakuins seats, entrapment. Nationwide Children’s advises not using a bath chair at all.
For these reasons we don’t recommend bath seats or rings, and we don’t link to them. Whatever your baby bathes in, keep a hand on them for the whole bath.
Toddler bath safety
Once your child moves to the big tub:
- Stay within arm’s reach so you can catch a slip.
- Prevent slips. Put a non-slip mat or decals in the tub, and a non-slip rug outside it.
- Discourage standing in the tub.
- Keep toys at the end away from the faucet.
- Use a soft faucet cover to help prevent bumps and burns.
- Drain the tub as soon as the bath ends.
- Make the bathroom safer. Fit a toilet lid lock, and keep razors, medicines and plugged-in appliances out of reach.
More bathroom and home safety advice is in our baby safety hub.
Frequently asked questions
When can my baby have a real bath?
After the umbilical cord stump falls off, usually at around 1 to 2 weeks, and after a circumcision has healed, if your baby had one. Until then, give sponge baths.
How warm should bath water be?
Warm, not hot. KidsHealth suggests 90 to 100°F and Nationwide Children’s about 100°F. Test it with the inside of your elbow or wrist, or with a bath thermometer, before your baby goes in.
How much water should I use?
Only a few inches. Sources suggest 2 to 4 inches, or no more than 3 inches.
How often should I bathe my baby?
About three times a week in the first year may be enough, as long as you clean the diaper area well at each change. More frequent baths can dry the skin.
Is a bath seat safe if I stay right next to my baby?
A bath seat is a bathing aid, not a safety device, and federal rules require a label that says so. Nationwide Children’s advises not using one at all, and we don’t recommend them.
What should I do if I need to answer the door or phone?
Wrap your baby in a towel and take them with you. Never leave them in the bath, even for a second.
More bathing and skin care guides are in our baby care hub.
