For the first week or two, your newborn only needs sponge baths. Once the umbilical cord stump falls off and the area heals, you can move to a regular tub bath. Either way, aim for water around 100°F (38°C), keep the room warm, and never leave your baby unattended near water, even for a moment.
Sponge Baths Come First
Until the umbilical cord stump dries up and falls off on its own, sponge baths are the way to go. They make it easier to keep the stump dry, which helps it heal. To give a sponge bath, lay your baby on a soft, flat surface like a towel on a counter or changing table. Use a warm, damp washcloth with a small amount of mild baby cleanser, wiping one area at a time. Rinse each area with a clean wet cloth, then pat dry with a towel before moving on. Keeping most of your baby’s body wrapped in a dry towel while you work on one section at a time prevents them from getting cold.
If the cord stump does get wet, don’t worry. It won’t cause harm. Just pat it dry afterward and let it air out. If you notice clear or blood-tinged fluid seeping around the base of the stump, clean it with a wet cotton swab, gently pushing down on the surrounding skin to reach all the fluid. Pat dry and expose the stump to air.
What You Need Before You Start
Gather everything within arm’s reach before you undress your baby. You’ll need a small baby tub or basin, two or three soft washcloths, a dry hooded towel, a clean diaper, fresh clothes, and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser. Having it all ready means you never have to step away.
Fill the tub with only 2 to 3 inches of water. Test the temperature with the inside of your wrist or elbow, where skin is sensitive enough to gauge whether it’s comfortably warm. You’re aiming for about 100°F (38°C), which feels warm but not hot.
Choosing a Safe Cleanser
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a small amount of mild cleanser with a neutral pH. Beyond that, the ingredient list matters more than the brand. Avoid products containing fragrances (also labeled as “perfume,” “parfum,” or “essential oil blend”), parabens, formaldehyde, and phthalates. Sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate aren’t necessarily dangerous, but if you notice redness, dryness, or itching after bath time, they’re a likely culprit. For most newborns, plain warm water handles the bulk of the cleaning, with cleanser reserved for areas that actually need it.
Step by Step: The Bath Itself
Face and Eyes
Start with the face before it gets splashed with soapy water. Dip a clean washcloth or cotton ball in plain warm water and wipe each eye from the bridge of the nose outward toward the corner. Use a fresh section of the cloth or a new cotton ball for the second eye to avoid spreading any irritation. Then gently wipe the rest of the face, around the ears (not inside the ear canal), and behind the ears where milk tends to collect.
Body
Work from the cleanest areas to the dirtiest. Wash the scalp and hair with a small dab of cleanser, rinsing by cupping water over the head with your hand. Move to the neck, chest, arms, and hands (newborns clench their fists tightly, so gently open them to clean the creases where lint and moisture hide). Then wash the back, legs, and feet. Save the diaper area for last.
Support your baby’s head and neck with one hand the entire time. A good grip is your forearm under the baby’s back with your hand holding the far armpit. This keeps their head above water and gives you a free hand to wash.
Diaper Area
For boys, gently wash the penis and scrotum with warm water and a soft washcloth. Only clean the outside of the foreskin. Don’t try to retract it; it separates naturally over time. If your son was circumcised and the area is still healing, your doctor may recommend applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly to keep the skin from sticking to the diaper.
For girls, wipe the vulva from front to back, moving toward the bottom. This direction prevents bacteria from the stool reaching the urinary tract. Use a clean section of the cloth if you need a second pass. You only need to clean in and around the vulva to remove traces of stool, and nothing should go inside the vagina.
Drying and Dressing
Lift your baby out and wrap them in a hooded towel immediately. Pat the skin dry rather than rubbing. Pay extra attention to the folds at the neck, behind the ears, in the armpits, and around the thighs, where trapped moisture can cause irritation. Put on a fresh diaper and dress your baby in warm clothes right away, since newborns lose body heat fast.
How Often to Bathe a Newborn
Newborns don’t need daily baths. Two to three times a week is plenty for most babies, since bathing more frequently can strip the natural oils from their delicate skin and lead to dryness. On non-bath days, a quick wipe of the face, neck folds, hands, and diaper area (sometimes called “topping and tailing”) keeps your baby clean enough.
Handling Cradle Cap
If you notice flaky, yellowish scales on your baby’s scalp, that’s cradle cap. It’s harmless and extremely common. During bath time, gently loosen the scales with a soft baby brush or infant comb while shampoo is still on the head. Avoid pressing hard over the fontanel (the soft spot). For stubborn patches, rub an infant-safe oil or lotion directly onto the scales at least an hour before the bath to soften them, then brush and rinse during the wash.
Safety Rules That Matter Most
Drowning can happen in less than an inch of water and in under a minute, silently. The single most important rule: always keep one hand on your baby. If the phone rings, if someone knocks at the door, if you forgot the towel, take the baby with you. Never leave a newborn in the bath under the supervision of an older child. Keep your baby within arm’s reach for the entire bath, every time, no exceptions.