Bringing your baby home is full of “firsts.” The first bath is one of the big ones, and it can feel equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking. The good news? It doesn’t have to be stressful. With a little prep, you’ll both get through it just fine.

When should I give my baby their first bath?

It’s recommended to wait at least 12–24 hours after birth before the first bath. But as a Salt Lake City postpartum doula and a mom myself, I’m going to fill you in on a little secret…you actually don’t need to give your baby a full bath for…weeks! That’s right, you can hold off on giving a full bath for days or weeks. That’s because newborns aren’t inherently dirty (just wait until your crawler is smearing mashed potatoes in their hair and playing in the dogfood bowl. THEN we can talk baths for real.) The areas of newborn bodies that need the most attention during baths are the same areas you can gently clean with a warm washcloth or baby wipe: their neck folds (dried milk + drool = stinky neck cheese), their diaper area (which you’re wiping already during diaper changes), and their hands (because babies somehow get lint trapped in their little fists). Waiting to bathe your newborn helps them regulate their temperature, keeps their skin soft and protected, and allows more bonding time in those first precious hours.

The best time to give your baby a bath? When you’re bored at home and need something to pass the time. Really! Treat baby’s first bath like a fun activity that you can do when you feel like it. That takes the pressure off and helps you reframe it as just another thing to try with your baby, and not a task that you absolutely have to do ASAP. 

Giving your baby their first bath is a fantastic activity to do with your postpartum doula during one of their shifts. That way, you have an extra person there to provide guidance, grab an extra towel, and take the all-important photo of you with your sweet baby. 

Can I bathe my baby if they still have their umbilical cord stump?

Your baby’s umbilical cord will look like a little scabby stump, and will be there for a week or two postpartum before falling off. During that time, it’s ok to get the stump wet as long as you let it fully air dry after (think about if you have a cut on your hand, get it really wet, and immediately cover it with a bandaid. It would get kinda gross under there). For some parents who don’t want to have to worry about the stump, you can just focus on sponge baths until it falls off. A sponge bath is simply using a warm wash cloth to wipe the areas that need it, and not putting your baby into a tub. 

Gather everything before you start

Babies get cold fast, so it’s best to set up your space before you begin. Have these items ready:

• Warm water in a small tub or basin

• A couple of soft washcloths
  

• Gentle, baby-safe cleanser (if you want to use it). We like Arau.Baby’s foam body soap; it’s gentle on skin and is a wide-bottomed pump that you can use one-handed. You can also just use warm water during baby’s first bath and skip the cleanser until they really need it, like after a diaper blowout or a big spit up moment. 

• A towel 

• A clean diaper and outfit

Setting everything up first means you won’t be scrambling with a slippery, wet baby in your arms.

Step by step: A postpartum doula’s tips for giving a newborn bath

1. Warm the room so your baby doesn’t get chilled.

2. For a sponge bath, lay your baby on a safe, flat surface with a soft towel underneath. For a tub bath, support their head and neck with one hand while lowering them in.

3. Start with the body, gently washing arms, legs, chest, and back.

4. Next, wash the diaper area.

5. Then, wash the face with a washcloth and plain water 

6. Finally, wash baby’s hair using plain water or a gentle cleanser like Arau.Baby. We like to save the hair for last so they’re not hanging out with a wet head for too long and getting cold. 

7. Keep one hand on your baby at all times for safety.

Tips to keep baby (and you) calm

• Talk softly or sing while you wash. Your voice is soothing.

• Keep baths short—5 to 10 minutes is plenty.

• Try bath time after a nap or feed when your baby is relaxed.

What if something goes “wrong”?

• Baby cries? Totally normal. End the bath early and try again another time.

• Water in their eyes or ears? Don’t worry—it happens. Just avoid submerging their head.
  

• How often should I bathe baby? Ask 5 different people and you’re going to get 5 different answers. We recommend one or two times a week if that feels like a good rhythm for you. Daily baths can dry out newborn skin.
  

Making bath time special

Baths aren’t just about getting clean; they’re a chance to bond. If you have a full size tub, one way to make bathtime special is to get in the bath with your baby and just hang out and enjoy the warm water together. Another option is bringing your baby in the shower and letting them feel the water with their hands. This one is more of a “fun activity” rather than a way to wash your baby, because you can’t soap them up with one hand while holding them with the other, it’s just too slippery. We always recommend having your partner or postpartum doula nearby if you bring your baby into the shower.

After your baby’s bath, wrap them in a soft towel, give some gentle baby massage, or enjoy skin-to-skin snuggles. Some parents like to make bath time part of a calming bedtime routine. The golden rule is to make bathtime work for your family and not see it as a “must-do” that just adds to your postpartum stress.

Final thought

The first bath isn’t about doing it perfectly. It’s about slowing down, connecting, and keeping your baby safe and comfortable. Like most things in early parenthood, it gets easier with practice. You’ve got this! 

Beth Hardy is the Founder and CEO of Heart Tones Birth Services, an award-winning doula agency based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Heart Tones Birth Services provides birth doula and postpartum doula support, sleep coaching, and childbirth education. Beth has been a doula for 15+ years, and her unique approach blends intuitive care with evidence-based knowledge, ensuring families receive the nurturing support they need to thrive. Under Beth’s leadership, Heart Tones Birth Services has become a trusted resource known for its warm, inclusive, and professional care throughout the Salt Lake City community.