Your Baby’s First Bath: A Gentle Guide to Bathing A Newborn
It’s natural to feel nervous about bathing your newborn for the very first time. Everything is new to you both and wanting to protect your baby and making sure you do it properly is part of becoming a parent. However, a baby’s first bath is not about getting everything perfect - it’s about nurturing closeness, care and love.
So if this is your first time - don’t worry. We’re here to walk you through every step of your baby’s bath and let you know why sebamed baby is perfect for your newborn, baby and child.
Before the bath
Always try and wait at least 24 hours before your baby’s first bath - this is because your baby needs time to be able to regulate their temperature first.
For the first month, we recommend only using water to bathe your newborn as your baby is still developing their own protective skin barrier, but after that, choose gentle products with nourishing ingredients that are specially designed for the baby's skin. All sebamed Baby products are specially formulated and tested to be gentle enough to be used from birth and beyond
Everything feels calmer when you’re prepared - so let’s begin by having everything close by that you need - so there’s no rushing. Choose a time for your baby’s first bath when they are calm and not overtired or hungry.
What you will need
- A clean, soft towel, preferably with a hood
- Clean clothes, a onesie
- A nappy
- A washcloth or gentle sponge
- Cotton balls
- A baby bath
- A quiet, warm and calm space
How to fill the bath
Before you bathe your baby, you need to make sure the water is at the correct temperature. Use only a small amount of water. Start by adding cold water, then add hot water. The NHS recommends using only 8-10cm of water - and keep checking the temperature regularly. To do this, dip your elbow into the water and it should feel the same as your body temperature.
During the bath
There are two different ways of bathing a newborn; top and tail and traditional bathing. If this is your baby’s first bath - we recommend beginning with the top and tail before moving onto a traditional bath.
Top and Tail
Top and tail is when you use a piece of cotton wool and warm water to wash your baby’s face, neck, hands and bottom, instead of a full bath. It’s recommended you ‘top and tail’ until the baby’s umbilical cord has fallen off.
- Lay your baby down on a changing mat and slowly start undressing them, keeping their vest and nappy on. Wrap them in a hooded towel straight away.
- Dip the cotton wool into the water, without getting it too wet, and gently start wiping your baby’s face and around your baby’s eyes - remembering to use a fresh piece of cotton wool for each eye. This is the same for your baby’s ears.
- Next, use another clean piece of cotton wool and warm water to clean your baby’s chin.
- Grab another cotton wool and gently wipe your baby’s bottom and genitals, making sure to clean the folds and drying everything before putting on a clean nappy.
- You only need to wash around the baby’s umbilical cord if it’s dirty.
How to bath
- The water should be warm, and always check the temperature with either a thermometer or using your elbow, before placing your baby in the bath.
- You can just use water, or add a gentle bubble bath later on, such as Baby sebamed Bubble Bath.
- If your baby needs it, gently tilt your baby’s head over the bath, making sure to support the neck and head. You can use either warm water or later on use a gentle, no-tears shampoo like, Baby sebamed Shampoo.
- Once the temperature is perfect, cuddle your baby in the bath if you’re in the bath with them or place them in their baby bath.
- Gently splash water on your baby or later on use a sponge with a nourishing cleanser such as Baby sebamed Gentle Wash making sure that you keep your baby’s head clear of the water.
After the bath
Babies get cold very quickly, so after your baby’s first bath, make sure you wrap your baby up in a towel and pat them dry. It’s always important when bathing a newborn to make sure you dry your baby properly before adding a clean nappy, clean clothes and of course… plenty of cuddles.
If the baby’s skin looks a little dry, then add a moisturiser, like Baby sebamed Body Lotion. After a bath is also the perfect time for a baby massage. Gentle massage can help your baby relax, unwind, and prepare for sleep. Using Baby Sebamed Body Lotion or Baby Sebamed Body Milk allows you to moisturise delicate skin while enjoying a calm, comforting moment together.
Why sebamed is the perfect brand for your baby
sebamed baby products are made at a pH of 5.5 - which matches the natural acidity of healthy skin. While a baby's skin is very delicate and still developing its protective barrier in the first few months of life, using gentle ph-formulated products with nourishing ingredients helps support gentle cleansing without stripping the skin. All our baby products have been specially formulated and dermatologically-tested - making them suitable for even the most sensitive of baby’s skin.
Here are some gentle sebamed Baby products that will support your baby’s skin.
A gentle shampoo designed for delicate scalps and fine baby hair. It’s soap-free, with a pH 5.5 to maintain the natural scalp barrier and reduce irritation. With a no-tears formula including gentle ingredients, such as chamomile - it helps to make bathing a soothing experience for both parent and baby.
A mild, soap-free cleanser that will help keep your baby’s skin soft and prevent dryness. Formulating with soothing ingredients such as allantoin helps to nourish your baby’s skin while the pH of 5.5 helps support the skin’s natural protective barrier.
Our award-winning bubble bath makes bathtime fun and stress-free. Formulated with extracts of medicinal plants - it hydrates and protects baby’s skin against inflammation and irritation. While the no tears formula is gentle to the eyes and the nourishing properties help to smooth and soothe the skin - it’s easy to see why it’s a firm favourite with parents…
To view our entire Baby sebamed range… click here…
