How to Bathe Your Baby

Between the bubbles, splashing, coos and giggles—bathtime is a perfect moment in your day to engage your baby’s senses and nurture your bond. Follow our simple step-by-step guide to learn the basics or some new tips.

Bathtime Means So Much More^TM

Approximately 8 billion baths are given annually worldwide using JOHNSON’S^® baby care products. Bathtime is one of our favorite routines, as a bath not only relaxes your baby, it gives you a break to bond and play after a hectic day while engaging your little one’s sense of smell and touch.

Studies have shown that routine touch can lead to improved physiological, cognitive, emotional and social development, and  enjoyable and familiar scents  improve your baby’s mood, calmness and alertness.

And like a baby massage, a warm bath can be an excellent way to help prepare your baby for bed.

Water Isn’t Enough for Your Baby’s Bath

Cleansing with water alone only removes about 65 percent of oil and dirt. It doesn't remove the fat-soluble impurities left behind under diapers and clothes, and if they remain, they can cause the delicate skin barrier* to break down. And water alone can actually dry your baby’s skin. Repeated use of water only, especially when hard or chlorinated, has been shown to cause moisture loss from the skin cells, leaving baby skin irritated or red.

A gentle baby-specific cleanser like JOHNSON’S^® baby HEAD-TO-TOE^® wash is recommended to help cleanse effectively.

Bathing Your Newborn

Most midwives and other healthcare professionals recommend bathing newborns 2 or 3 times per week, increasing the frequency as your baby gets older. Start baby baths with a sponge until your baby’s umbilical cord stump dries and falls off, and the remaining wound heals.

Learn how to give your baby a sponge bath

How to Bathe Your Baby?

The kitchen sink can be a great place to bathe your baby (with the tap turned away and soft towels or a foam insert on the bottom) or you could use a small plastic baby bath placed in the full size bath to make it easier to hold your baby.

1.  Start with only a few inches of warm water 
   Your baby’s bath water should be between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. After filling the basin or tub, be sure to swirl the water with your hands so there are no hot spots.

2.  Test the water temperature 
   Before you put your baby in the bath water, test the water’s temperature on the inside of your wrist to make sure it is not too hot.
    NOTE:  Be sure that your home’s hot water heater is set no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to help protect against accidental scalding.

3.  Use your hand to support your baby 
   Using one arm to gently support your baby's back, head and neck, gently place her in the baby bath. Continue to support her using one arm while bathing her with the other.

4.  Gently cleanse your baby with a cotton pad 
   Gently cleanse around your baby's eyes with a cotton pad dampened with clean, warm water. Use a new cotton pad for each eye and always wipe from the inside corner of the eye outward. Then, using a soft washcloth, wipe around your baby's mouth, nose and whole face, working from the middle outward. Wipe the creases in her neck and don't forget behind her ears!

5.  Use gentle cleanser designed for babies 
   For younger babies, wet a baby washcloth with warm water and use a gentle cleanser formulated for babies, like JOHNSON'S^® HEAD-TO-TOE^® baby wash. If your baby has more hair, you might try a gentle baby shampoo, like JOHNSON'S^® baby shampoo. Don’t be afraid to gently wash the soft spots (called fontanels) on your baby's head.

6.  Wash the genital area with care 
   Wash the diaper area last. For a baby girl, cleanse the genital area washing from front to back. For boys, gently wash the penis and genital area, also washing from front to back, and dry thoroughly. For an uncircumcised boy, avoid pulling back the foreskin.

7.  Pour handful of water over your baby 
   Let your baby take a few moments in the bath to enjoy the warm water. Pour cupfuls of water over her body to keep her warm. Be mindful of running water directly from the tap as water temperature can sometimes change suddenly.

8.  Wrap your baby in a towel 
   Wrap both hands around your baby's chest under her arms, support her head, and lift her out of the bath and quickly wrap her in a towel.

9.  Gently pat your baby dry 
   Dry your baby well in all the creases, as excessive moisture could lead to skin irritation. Pat her skin dry to avoid skin damage.

10. Apply a gentle baby moisturiser
    Before dressing your baby, apply a gentle baby moisturizer, such as hypoallergenic JOHNSON'S^® baby lotion which is clinically proven to be gentle and mild.

Baby Bathing Tips

• Clean only what you can see; avoid putting anything deep into your baby's ear canal or nose

• Every baby is different, but some don’t like to be bathed too soon after feeding. Many moms find it’s best to bathe their baby before she eats

• And remember, NEVER leave a baby alone in the bath. Not even for a second

A baby bath is a perfect way to create separation between "busy time" and "sleep time", while giving you the chance to bond with your baby. Even tough days can feel a little easier when you end the night by wrapping your beautiful clean baby, snug and cozy, in her blanket—just in time to let help your baby sleep with a lullaby.

 We make it our responsibility to know as much as possible about your baby's precious eyes. 

Introduced in 1953, JOHNSON'S^® baby shampoo was the first specially formulated baby product to be as mild to a baby's eyes as pure water. Our unique JOHNSON'S^® baby shampoo and other NO MORE TEARS^® formula products were developed just for babies’ unique needs.

The science behind NO MORE TEARS^®

*The skin barrier is the upper layer of the skin that acts as a vital barrier to outside irritants, bacteria and allergens, protecting the body from disease. Babies' skin barrier is uniquely different from adults’ and is still developing, so it needs special care.