How Often Do You Really Need to Bathe Your Newborn? Your Guide to Baby Bathing

If you are a new parent, it’s normal to have a lot of questions. A common one is: How often should you bathe your newborn?

The answer might surprise you. Giving your newborn a bath too often can lead to dry skin and irritation. Babies have sensitive skin, especially when they’re born early. 

Let’s look at how often you should bathe a newborn, when to choose a sponge bath over a tub bath, and tips to keep bath time safe. 

How often should you bathe a newborn?

Newborns only need a bath a few times a week. Babies don’t get very dirty when they are so young. So giving them a bath every day isn’t necessary. And bathing a newborn too often can lead to dry, irritated skin. That’s because a newborn’s skin is still developing after they’re born. 

Newborns also don’t need to be bathed immediately after birth. In fact the World Health Organization recommends waiting 24 hours before giving a newborn their first bath. There’s evidence that waiting a day reduces the risk of a newborn becoming hypothermic (low body temperature). 

Should you bathe your newborn before the umbilical cord falls off?

Yes, you can bathe a newborn before their umbilical stump falls off. But you should try to keep the umbilical cord clean and dry. That’s why experts recommend sponge baths at first. Unlike a tub bath, a sponge bath doesn’t involve the baby being submerged in water. This makes it easier to keep the umbilical cord dry. 

Here’s how to give your newborn a sponge bath:

1. Get things ready. Have all your bathing supplies nearby. Keep two small basins of warm water, a washcloth, and some fragrance-free soap within arm’s reach.

2. Keep your baby warm. Undress your newborn and wrap them in a dry towel. Only uncover the area you’re bathing.  

3. Place your baby on a flat surface. Use the floor, a changing table, or a countertop right by the sink. If you’re bathing your newborn above the floor, always keep your hand on them to prevent falls. Use your changing table’s safety strap.

4. Start with the face. Dip the washcloth in the tub of water and clean the face first. Avoid the eyes and mouth. Make sure to get behind the ears and in the neck creases. 

5. Bathe the rest of their body. Rinse the washcloth in the tub of water then add scent-free soap. Wash other parts of the body next, uncovering then covering up again as you go. Wash the diaper area last.   

Don’t worry if you get a bit of water on the cord. Just make sure you air-dry it afterward.  

Read more like this

Explore these related articles, suggested for readers like you.

Caring for Your Newborn’s Belly Button

Why Your Newborn’s Skin Is Peeling and What to Do About It (With Pictures)

‘Runner’s Face’: Does Exercise Cause Premature Skin Aging?

What You Need to Know About Vyjuvek

View more

Is it bad to bathe a newborn every day?

No, it’s not bad. But it’s not necessary either. Babies don’t sweat much. And besides a poopy diaper, they won’t get very dirty. 

On the other hand, frequent baby bathing can dry out their skin and cause rashes. That’s especially true during the winter months when there’s less humidity in the air. Protect your baby’s skin by limiting baths to 5 to 10 minutes and using fragrance-free soap. 

When should you start bathing a baby every day?

You really don’t need to start bathing your child every day until they are much older. If your child is very active or visibly dirty, you can give them a bath. Otherwise, bathing several times a week is just fine for many infants and even toddlers.

Believe it or not, the American Academy of Dermatology doesn’t recommend daily bathing until your child reaches puberty.

When is the best time to give my baby a bath?

You can bathe a newborn at any time. But it’s best to pick a time when both you and baby are relaxed, and you won’t be interrupted. If bathing makes your newborn sleepy, an evening bath may be a great way to help get them ready for bed. 

How do you bathe a newborn?

Stick to sponge baths for newborns until their umbilical cord falls off. For most babies that’s 1 to 2 weeks after birth. Once that happens, you can bathe them in an infant tub or small basin. But don’t stress if your baby doesn’t like the tub. You can always go back to a sponge bath for a few weeks.

Here’s how to do a tub bath:

1. Get your supplies. Have your fragrance-free soap, baby shampoo, washcloth, and dry towel handy. Everything should be at arm’s length — just like with sponge bathing.

2. Use an infant tub or the sink. Fill an infant tub (or small basin) or the sink with about 1 to 2 inches of warm water. Test the water with your elbow or wrist to make sure it’s not too hot.

3. Start with the head and face. Gently wash the baby’s face and neck with fragrance-free soap and water. Clean their scalp with baby shampoo once or twice a week.   

4. Clean the rest of the body. Use soap and water to clean the rest of the body. Rinse off all the soap with plain water.  

5. Diaper and dress. Wrap your baby in a towel then pat their skin dry. Next, diaper and dress them.   

Bath time is a great bonding moment for parents and babies. But it’s important to stay alert because two-thirds of all infant drownings happen in a bathtub. Follow these safety tips when bathing your child: 

• Never leave your baby alone. A baby can drown quickly, even in an inch of water. Never leave your baby alone or in the care of another child while bathing — even for a second. If you have an emergency in the middle of bath time, wrap your child in a towel and take them with you. 

• Check your water temperature. Set your water heater below 120 °F. That water temperature is safe for baby bathing and prevents burns and scalding. 

• Baby bathtubs. It’s safest to use a baby bathtub approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commision (CPSC). In October 2017, the CPSC passed new regulations to ensure the safety of infant bathtubs. A good infant bathtub is made of thick plastic and has an elevated, slip-resistant back. Avoid bath seats and rings that can flip over. 

• Keep contact. Always keep one hand on your baby while bathing. Gather all your bathing supplies before you start so you don’t need to get up during bath time.  

• Keep the bathtub safe. Empty out your infant tub after bathing and turn it upside down.    

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Brian Clista, MD

Dr. Clista is a board-certified pediatrician who works in private practice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He previously served as a National Health Service Corporation Scholar in the inner city of Pittsburgh for 11 years.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

Reviewed by:

Christine Giordano, MD

Christine Giordano, MD, is board-certified in general internal medicine. She received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed residency at Thomas Jefferson University.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts