Baby bathing – When, how often, where, and how?

When your baby's first bath is approaching, many young parents feel very unsure: How warm can the water be? How can I bathe my baby most safely? Should I use a baby bathtub or a bathing bucket? And when is the first contact with the wet element even appropriate? In this article, we answer these and many other questions about baby bathing.

Don't hesitate, however, to seek the help of your midwife during the first bath. She can show you the proper grips and procedures that are best suited for your baby. To put your mind at ease in advance: most babies really enjoy being bathed, as the warm water reminds them of the environment in the womb. So, into the warm water with your little explorer!

When should I bathe my baby for the first time? What time of day is best?

Our midwife Sissi recommends giving your baby time with the first bath at home until the umbilical cord stump has fallen off and the umbilicus is fully healed. This ensures that no germs from the water enter the wound and cause infections.

Whether you bathe your baby in the morning, at noon, or in the evening is entirely up to you. The only important thing is that they are awake and in a good mood. Additionally, your little explorer should be full but not overfed. This helps prevent the bath from overloading their circulation. The time immediately before or after a meal is therefore less suitable for a bath. Choose a time of day when you are least likely to be disturbed, so that you and your baby can enjoy the bath peacefully.

Some parents like to incorporate bath time into their child's evening routine. The warm water relaxes many babies and makes them sleepy, so they fall asleep especially well afterward. Positive side effect: a peaceful evening for you or your family. ;) In any case, you should pay attention to your baby's signals and not force them to bathe if they don't want to. Bathing should be associated with positive feelings for your little one, and if in doubt, cleaning with a washcloth is perfectly sufficient.

In diesem Video zeigt Dir unsere LILLYDOO Hebamme Sissi ein paar Tipps und Tricks zum baden Deines Babys

How often should I bathe my baby?

Babies do not sweat very much yet and generally do not get as dirty as toddlers. Therefore, in the first few weeks of life, it is perfectly sufficient to bathe your baby once or twice a week. You should also clean your little explorer's face, hands, and bottom as needed with a warm, damp washcloth. From the first year of life and if your child turns out to be a little water rat, you can bathe them more often. However, overly frequent or prolonged bathing can dry out your baby's skin, especially if you live in an area with very hard tap water.

What do I bathe my baby in?

Baby bathtub or bath bucket? The choice is yours. Just try out what works best for you. Bath buckets have the advantage of being space- and water-saving, and babies often feel particularly comfortable in them due to their embryonic position. Depending on the size of the bucket, however, they can quickly become too small, whereas a baby bath usually provides more space for your little explorer for a longer period. A household bucket, by the way, is not suitable as an alternative; it doesn't offer a sufficiently stable stand, and your baby could hurt themselves on the sharp edges!

You can also use your sink as a baby bathtub. However, you should be careful that your baby does not accidentally turn on the faucet and get scalded by hot water. It is best to run cold water before starting the bath to prevent this danger. If your baby does manage to turn on the hot water, it will take longer for the water to become really hot. This gives you more time to quickly turn off the faucet and protect your baby from burns.

In the first months, your own bathtub is less suitable for bathing your baby. Due to the high rim, you can't hold your baby well, and it is probably also uncomfortable for you.

No matter which option you choose: you should never leave your little water rat unattended in the water! If an interruption is unavoidable, wrap your baby in a warm towel and carry it in your arms.

How does the bathing process work?

Even if you are a bit unsure during the first few times, you will surely develop your own routine for bathing your baby very soon. Our 6 steps for a nice and relaxed bathing experience can serve as a guide for you. Perhaps you also take the first baths together with a second person who can lend a hand if needed.

1. The preparation

Before starting the actual bath, some preparations need to be made:

• The correct room temperature : Heat the room where you bathe your baby beforehand. It should be pleasantly warm (not below 22°C). Also, avoid drafts.

• Avoid temperature differences : Warm the towel for your baby on the heater. If you have a heat lamp, you can also preheat the changing area. This way, you can avoid a Cold preventing babies from being sensitive to larger temperature differences.

• Gather utensils : Keep everything you need during or after the bath within reach so you won't have to take your eyes off your baby later. During the bath, you'll need a soft washcloth, then a towel, and for children with lots of hair, possibly a baby brush. Of course, a fresh diaper and clean clothes are not missing.

• Add water : Fill the baby bathtub or bathing bucket with enough water so that your baby's shoulders are covered. Even if it would be too cold for you: the water temperature for your baby should only be 37°C. You can easily check this with a bath thermometer. The correct water temperature is important because babies perceive pain with a delay, and they are more prone to burns than older children.

• Bath additives : In den ersten sechs bis acht Wochen reicht klares Wasser zum Baden Ihres Babys aus. Später können Sie bei Bedarf emulgierende Mittel zum Wasser hinzufügen, zum Beispiel almond oil . Even a splash of breast milk can serve as a nourishing bath additive.

• Clean the diaper area : If necessary, clean your baby's bottom beforehand to prevent germs from spreading in the water. With the extra gentle LILLYDOO Wet Wipes with 99% Water It happens in seconds.

2. The right grip

It is best to have your midwife show you during the first time how to hold your baby safely while bathing. The shoulder girdle of your baby rests on your left forearm, and with your left hand, you grasp the left shoulder. This way, your right hand is free to support your little explorer's bottom as they slide into the water. With this hand, you can then comfortably wash your baby. If you are left-handed, simply hold your baby with your right arm. Gently slide them into the water feet first and hold them in this manner throughout the bath. If you are using a bathing bucket, only gently hold your baby's head.

3. Washing

Wash your baby gently with a washcloth or simply with your hands. Start at the shoulders and work your way down to the feet. First the front of the body, then you can turn it around so that your baby's chest rests on your forearm, and continue with the back. When washing, don't forget the skin folds and less accessible areas, such as the armpits or behind the ears. To avoid spreading germs to areas where they don't belong, clean the genitals and the buttocks last. Babies are particularly prone to cooling off through the head, so you should wash the hair last. 5-10 minutes of bathing time is completely sufficient at the beginning; otherwise, your baby's skin may dry out too much and it could get cold. When it gets a little older, a few more minutes are also okay. As a rule of thumb: 5 minutes longer per month of age. But it's best to follow your child's current condition. And at the latest, when the water cools down, it's time to "Get out of the tub"!

4. Remove the baby from the water

Wet baby skin can be quite slippery, especially if you've used oil as a bath additive. Hold your baby securely when lifting it out of the water.

5. Drying

Wrap your baby in the pre-warmed towel and bring it to the changing table. You may have already turned on a heat lamp there so that your naked explorer doesn't get cold while drying. Pat him dry thoroughly but gently (do not rub!). Also, pay attention to skin folds and hard-to-reach areas to prevent soreness and skin inflammations.

6. Apply moisturizer and optionally: baby massage

Afterwards, you can gently moisturize your little explorer's dry skin patches with a mild baby lotion or our . If you have already added oil to the bathwater, it is enough to gently massage the excess oil into your baby's skin. This can also be perfectly combined with a massage to end the bath ritual in a relaxed manner for you and your baby. In our , we show you how to do it.

Consider bathing not only as a means to clean your baby but also as a wonderful experience for both of you. A bath offers a great opportunity for touch and cuddles. After the first few months, you can also bathe together in a large bathtub (the same rules for water temperature and water level apply as for the baby bath). Enjoy the physical contact, which is naturally especially intense during a shared bath and strengthens the bond between you and your baby. Especially dads often see bathing as a lovely "task" where they can be very close to their little explorer. To capture the first bath and other unforgettable first moments for eternity, we have a milestone card set for you: Simply download, print, take a photo in the tub, and enjoy! :)

We wish you and your little water rat lots of fun splashing around!