Bathing your baby - check list

Bathing your baby for the first time and even in the first few weeks can be a daunting prospect!

However, if you get yourself organised and have everything to hand before you start, it'll make things a lot easier.

Have a read through our check list to find out what sort of things you'll need to help bath time run as smoothly as possible for you and your baby:

CHECK LIST

Baby Baths

• Baby baths come in a range of shapes, sizes and colours, so choose something that’s going to suit you both.
• Make sure you place the bath on a firm surface, ideally at waist height to avoid having to bend down and lift the baby in and out of the bath.
• Some parents put the baby bath inside the main bath or use the kitchen sink or bathroom basin if it isn’t too small.

WaterTemperature

• It’s a good idea to run the cold water first and top up with hot water, rather than trying to cool down a bath that’s too hot.
• Use your elbow to test the water temperature, which should just be warm to the touch.
• A bath thermometer is a good investment and will change colour when the temperature is just right, 35 – 38 degrees Celsius.

Flannels & Sponges

• You can buy any number of baby-sized flannels and clothes to make it easier to get into the crevices, but a normal flannel or sponge will work just as well.
• You can squeeze a flannel or sponge full of water over your baby’s head too to help rinse their hair.

Shampoos & Body Washes

• There are lots of specially designed baby shampoos and body washes on the market. However make sure you check the labels and use products that are as natural as possible against your baby’s skin.

Article written by the team at Under 5s. Check out our other article on Bathing Your Baby