Baby Bath Temperature: What’s the Ideal? Plus, More Bathing Tips – Healthline

Bathtime is a great opportunity to bond with your baby. However, a newborns first few baths can be nerve-racking (for both of you) until you get the hang of it.

Handling a slippery little one whos squirming, crying, or kicking or all three takes skills you never knew you had!

A few simple tips and techniques can make bathtime relaxing and even fun for baby and you. Heres what the experts say about baby bath temperature, how to keep your wet baby warm while bathing them, and more.

A babys tender skin is super sensitive to heat, so its important to have the bathwater temperature just right not too hot and not too cold. Remember, your babys skin is about 20 to 30 percent thinner than yours!

A bath temperature of 98.6F (between 37C and 38C) is best for most babies. This temperature also helps them feel calmer and relax. Maybe it reminds them of floating in the womb!

To ensure that the temperature is just right for your little one, consider these tips:

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends setting your home hot water heater thermostat to 120F (49C) or lower. This helps prevent accidental hot water scalds or burns in babies and children (and sometimes adults). Not to mention youll save on hot water bills!

Ideally, you want to finish bathing your baby quickly, before the water begins to cool. But if the bathwater cools down before baby is finished splashing around, take them out of the water and wrap them in a warm fluffy towel.

Place them safely out of the way in a bassinet or crib. Then remove some of the cold water and add in more hot water until the temperature is warm enough again.

Babies tiny bodies can get hot quickly but also lose heat quickly. This means that even if the bathwater is the right temperature, they may still start to feel a little chilly.

Here are some tried-and-tested tips to keep baby warm before, during, and after bathtime:

If youre getting ready to deliver your new bundle of joy, you dont have to rush to babys first bath right away. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends waiting for at least 6 hours after birth before bathing your baby the first time.

Babies are born covered with a natural cheesy substance called vernix caseosa on their skin.

This wax helps protect them in the womb and helps them slide out a bit more easily during birth. It also keeps babys skin healthy right after birth.

Ask your doctor and nurse to clean your newborn by wiping with a soft cloth. Then you can cuddle and feed for a few hours before your nurse bathes them.

Once youre home, youll want to stick with sponge baths until the umbilical cord stump falls off.

Remember, babies dont need to bathe every day. A routine of 2 to 3 baths each week is plenty for a baby. Newborns need even fewer baths.

Babies have their own natural skin oils. Bathing a baby too much can dry out their skin.

This is also why doctors recommend keeping bathtime short. In between baths, you can give baby a sponge bath or wipe down.

Spot-clean as needed on their head, face, body, or diaper area. For an explosive diaper situation, you can do a quick partial bath to rinse off their skin.

You also dont need to fill the basin or tub very much. About 2 inches (5 centimeters) of warm water is enough. If youd prefer, you can use more water just enough to cover your babys shoulders.

If your baby has very dry skin or a skin condition like eczema, ask your pediatrician about adding breast milk or oatmeal powder to the bathwater to help soothe and protect babys delicate skin.

Finally, never leave your baby alone or with another child during bathtime.

Dont leave them even for a minute. If you need to step out, take your baby out of the bathwater, wrap them in a towel, and either take them with you or leave them in a safe place like their crib.

Babys bathtime can be stressful, especially the first few times. However, with a few expert tips, you and your little one will soon be bathing pros.

Learning how to get the bathwater temperature just right will keep your baby safe and comfortable during bathing. Other bathing tips like heating up the bathroom before beginning bathtime also help keep things toasty.

If your baby has dry skin or any kind of skin rash like eczema, ask your pediatrician about the best way to bath or wash them.

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Baby Bath Temperature: What's the Ideal? Plus, More Bathing Tips - Healthline