Although it may take some time for Baby to learn to love the bath, there is so much to look forward to once you’ve reached that milestone. This end-of-the-day ritual can be a convenient occasion for you and Baby to enjoy some healthy TLC, but it’s also a time to stay extra vigilant. Keep the following tips in mind the next time you’re drawing a bath, and good clean fun will follow.
- Set the stage
Before you turn on the faucet, gather up the curling iron, hair dryer, and all other electrical bathroom devices. Keep them in a secure storage space until after the end of Baby’s bath. Ditto heavy objects that can fall or slide into the bath from the edges. - Less is more
Keeping the bathwater level between 2 and 4 inches will give you plenty of liquid to work with while ensuring a comfortable margin of maritime safety for Baby. The water should be warm but not hot. You can test the temperature by dipping your wrist or elbow in the water. If you think it feels too hot, add cold water. Some families also opt to decrease the set point of their hot water heater to avoid any accidents. Water temperature thermometers, often in a cute duck shape, are another option. - Eyes on the prize
Even an inch of bath water can pose a danger to babies. Once bathtime begins, it’s super important that you stay with Baby from the first scrub to that final gurgle of water disappearing down the drain. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping not just your eyes, but at least one hand on Baby at all times. This means that, in the event of an unavoidable interruption, such as a text alert or an oven timer, you’ll have to wrap Baby up in a towel and take them with you while you straighten things out. Remember, drowning is fast and silent. Never leave your baby unattended. - Keep it clean
Babies tend to have sensitive skin. And at this tender age, shampoos and bath gels can cause irritation. If you decide to wash Baby with soap, opt for a mild and unscented choice. Apply soap to a wet washcloth and clean Baby gently with that. Clean up as a last step, so that Baby isn’t sitting in the soapy water for long. - Say no to bubbles
Bubble baths can be entertaining, but the chemicals in that bubble bath might irritate Baby’s skin and eyes. Some bubble baths have even been linked to urinary tract infections. Save this special treat until the toddler years have passed. - Beware the faucet
Between powerful cascades of H20 and metal handles that can become hot to touch – even when dispensing lukewarm water – the faucet end of the bathtub should be considered a No Baby Zone. Convenient and cute covers can add an additional layer of safety. - Cozy is king
There’s nothing that can turn a fun bathtime upside down faster than a cold bathroom. You might want to think about running the water beforehand to get some steam going. It’s also a good idea to have a warm towel and diaper ready for after the bath to keep Baby nice and cozy right away. - Make it a matted bath
This only applies once Baby has graduated from the infant tub. Many of us have had at least one painful encounter with a slippery bathtub surface. Spare Baby any bumps or bruises by getting a rubber bath mat that you can affix to the floor of your tub.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health by Labcorp Clinical Team
Sources
- “Bathing Your Baby” Healthy Children. American Academy of Pediatrics, July 6 2025. Web.
- “Water Safety Tips.” United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. United States Consumer and Product Safety Commission. Web.
