Bathing a newborn - how often and what to use?

[newmum234]

My DS is 5 weeks old. How often should I be bathing him and would you use any bath products at this age? I’ve not used anything yet - just plain warm water and a cheeky wipe (small flannel type thing) to wash him with. He does have a full head of hair but I’ve just used water on that too. Also, how long do you leave him in the water for? He seems to quite like it.

As much as you want to!

There isn't a need to bathe baby frequently as long as you maintain basic hygiene- wash face/bum regularly and keep cord stump clean.

But many parents like to have a daily bath for the sake of routine, and that's fine too.

Np need to use soaps on baby's skin, just a good soak and wipe is enough. There are loads of baby bath products if you want to, but certainly not a necessity.

Thanks. Is it best for baby to use products or just plain water at this age?

Do you have any eczema in the family? We only used water as anything else causes a reaction.

At that age, we went for twice a week with water. Also top and tailed every day.

Of course, if there was an explosion from either end we would pop him in the bath!

We did once a week with nothing but water til about 6 weeks. Occasionally another rinse or whatever if there was a poosplosion. We didn't bath her at all until she was almost 2 weeks old. She was gross tbh after being born but it never occurred to us to do it, it was my DPs who suggested it and DH helped my DF shower her, hah. After 6 weeks we used Superdrug's own brand baby shampoo and baby bath/body wash.

Mine went in a sink from birth with a bit of soap to wash them with.

It was daily.

I think babies need a daily bath to wash off all the nappy residue properly or they can get really sore.

9 week baby. Every night as part of a bedtime routine (not sticking to times just yet, just to get him to associate baths with bedtime).

Usually just water. This evening I used some baby shampoo to get some of the crud out of his hair from the cradle cap baby oil/comb combo.

I think babies need a daily bath to wash off all the nappy residue properly or they can get really sore.

I am trying to bath baby daily now, but I feel bad as it was very irregular before! Hope I haven’t made him sore.

How long do you leave the baby in the bath for? I’m only doing a couple of mins at the moment...

However long you think your baby should be in there for. Some babies like it because it soothes them, some not so much. I think only you can know that.

Seriously though OP, I mean this in the kindest possible way, you need to start backing your instincts and doing what you think is best. There isnt hard and fast rules about most things surrounding babies, it very much depends on each baby. I get the impression you like following rules. I only say this because ive noticed multiple posts from you each day. Thats ok, but it does make me wonder about your support network at home and your confidence/anxiety surrounding your baby.

Do you think youd benefit from talking to someone?

We bathed ds every few days and the same with dd. Much easier now as we can just plop them both in the bath together. Ds is 2.5 and Dd 10m. She loves being in the bath and splashing with him!

Our bathroom however hates the splashing....so much water everywhere!!!

2 week old her. She was born with a lot off the white stuff on her forgot what it's called but it with in all creases etc midwife advised me to wash her with soap as it helps get it all off if you don't it can cause the skin to inflame and obv not what you want but I also have a toddler who gets bathed every second night so we just bath the newborn every second night aswell! X

I just used to put a tiny bit of baby bubble bath in the water, sometimes a pea sized amount of baby shampoo if their hair had yuck in it. I still some use much more than that with my toddlers, I think that the soak in warm water does most of the job and a tiny bit of product finishes the job.

Do you think youd benefit from talking to someone?

Thanks for your concern, but I think I’m okay. I’m just completely new to all this and am often unsure what is normal and what’s not! It turns out I was totally overstimulating my 5 week old with toys for example which I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t posted about it on here. You’re right though, I should trust my instincts more than I do.

Totally! Im also a first time mum. I distinctly remember sitting on the sofa when my baby was maybe 4 or so weeks and saying to my husband 'im sick and tired and all the rules'. Before then id been constantly second guessing myself, assuming I was getting something wrong because I didnt know the guidelines. Since then ive adopted a sort of 'fuck it' attitude with regards to knowing guidelines and rules - as long as my baby is healthy and safe, then its all good 🙂

As long as your baby is fed, clean, safe, warm and loved then you're doing okay. Don't stress about what's 'right'. This is your and your baby's own unique journey, enjoy it.

I gave my new borns daily baths. Used a little baby bath for new borns. I bathed in the evening to start getting them into a routine and it helped with the associating bath with bed.

Everyday if you want to. I loved bathing my DCs and they loved being in the bath. I used to wash their hair with Johnson's baby shampoo. I just loved the smell.