How to Give a Baby a Bath

January 5, 2019 by Leya Kaufman No Comments

This is kaufMOM’s step-by-step process (complete with a few hacks) for bathing a baby:

Step 1: Chill

Not the water, but you. Breathe. This isn’t the ocean, it’s a sink. You will not drown your baby.
Also, remember that most babies (mine included) LOVE being naked. If you enjoy bathtime, baby will too.
Eliminate the fear of getting soap in their eyes with the gentlest “throwback” products. No, it’s not trending or made from leaves from a forest in Guam but it smells amazing and your parents used it on you. #nostalgia

Set water to lukewarm – barely warm or rely on a thermometer to confirm 100 F – in a sink or bathtub. Either jump in and hold (recommended for babies 3 Months+) or place baby on a comfy bath surface. I’m personally obsessed with the bath flower.
#kaufMOMhack: Bring baby to the bath wearing diaper. Remove just as you place baby into tub.
#kaufMOMhack: Set up a baby towel at the bath site on top of a pillow, so you can quickly transition baby to drying without needing a second set of hands when bath time is over.

Use a wet soapy washcloth and circular motions to wash every inch.
Just remember this order: head, shoulders, knees, toes. That song was written for panicked parents as an order of operations for bath-time.
That said, for a more thorough clean, back before shoulders, tummy before knees, and polish it all off with the tuchus.
Let baby relax as you wash off the soapy suds with a waterfall. Repeat 2x for a thorough rinse of baby’s scalp.

Ideal for your partner to help with this step so that you can keep both hands cradling baby’s head and back.
#kaufMOMhack: In case of EMERGENCY (i.e. no one to help with the photoshoot), utilize burst mode using a water resistant phone in your right hand while cradling baby with your left hand.

Place baby on towel covered pillow, wrap up baby, and dry.
#kaufMOMhack: Personalized towel sets or hooded animal towels are a MUST. You kids are only this little once!

#kaufMOMhack: Lotion that shmushy baby all over before putting on PJs, but only after the diaper is firmly in place to avoid another water show (at best).

Note: This post includes affiliate links.