How Often Should You Bathe Your Baby—and Exactly How to Do It

Admit it: Part of the reason you were excited to be a parent is for the adorable post-bath baby pics and snuggles. That bonding time is so precious, and there’s nothing quite like wrapping your clean, sweet baby in a warm towel and planting a smooch on their tiny forehead.

But then there’s the other side of bathtime—the one where you doubt yourself. Wet, sudsy babies are slippery, and how can you keep a safe grip on your little one? And what if you use the wrong cleanser and they get a reaction? Or if you bathe them too often and their skin gets dry?

On this matter, we can confidently tell you to relax: Bathing a baby isn’t difficult, especially if you follow tips and guidelines to make sure you do it safely, regularly, and using gentle, non-irritating cleansers. Read this baby bathing guide, then get ready to make some bathtime memories.

How often does a baby need a bath?

Aside from the expected spots—their face, neck, and diaper area—babies don’t typically get very dirty. They’re not playing in the yard, they’re not working up a sweat. Plus, their young skin is sensitive and will dry out if exposed to too much water. With that in mind, here are guidelines for how often to bathe your baby at different ages and stages.

Newborns (0-2 months)

At this early stage, you only need to bathe your baby a few times a week. Chances are, you’re already regularly cleaning your baby with a soft cloth or wipe after they eat, spit up, and soil their diaper. At this early age, sponge baths make the most sense—especially since you have to navigate around their umbilical stump for the first few weeks.

2 months and up

Once the umbilical stump falls off and your baby gets a little older, they’ll be ready for a regular bath in a baby tub. (Cue gentle splash time!) But the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that you still won’t need to wash your baby more than three days a week, at least until their first birthday.

When to give a baby a bath

As long as your baby is well-rested and well-fed, they will likely be in the right mood for a bath. (Hungry, super-tired babies are rarely in the right mood for anything!) However, many parents like the idea of a bath before bedtime, to create a soothing nighttime ritual and signal to baby that it’s nearly time for sleep.

How to give your baby a sponge bath

There are a few simple but important steps to giving your newborn a sponge bath. Always start by making sure the room you’re in isn’t drafty or cold, since your bub will be naked for their bath. Once that’s done, follow these steps.

Find a flat surface. A changing table, spacious counter, or even the floor could work. Just make sure the space is warm (since your baby will be naked), and the surface is padded with a clean towel.
Gather your supplies. When it comes to bathing your baby, advance preparation is key, not only for convenience but more importantly for safety. Make sure you have everything you need in one place before you remove your baby’s clothing and diaper. You’ll need a hooded baby towel; a washcloth; a gentle baby soap and/or shampoo; a clean diaper; and clothes to change into post-bath.
Prepare the water. Never use running water to bathe your baby, as the temperature can change suddenly and potentially scald their delicate skin. Instead, let warm water run into a sturdy bowl or sink with a stopper, until it’s warm but not hot—around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Some experts suggest dipping your elbow into the water to make sure it’s not too hot. If it feels hot, add more cold water.
Add bath soap—or not. Warm water and a soft washcloth might be all you need to wash your baby. If you prefer, add a squirt or two of a gentle baby bath soap to the water and swish it around.
Undress baby and wrap them in the hooded towel. You can expose each body party as you go, then rewrap it after washing so that they stay warm.
Start washing. Keeping one hand on your baby at all times (and using changing pad straps if they’re laying on the pad), wet the washcloth, squeeze it so it’s not sopping, and wash your baby starting with their face, including eyelids. Rinse and squeeze the washcloth as you go, making sure you wash their head, ears, neck, underarms, arm and leg creases, between fingers and toes, and diaper area (save that for last). Make sure to avoid the umbilical stump, as directed by your pediatrician.

Once your baby is clean, pat them dry with the towel (or a second towel, if the first one is too damp), then put them in a diaper and clean clothes. The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends using a fragrance-free lotion if your baby’s skin is dry—in which case you should also consider bathing them less frequently.

Tip: Clean up any bath supplies only after your baby is clean, dry, cozy, and placed in a safe spot like a bassinet or swing.

How to give your baby a bath in a baby tub or sink

Once your baby’s umbilical cord stump falls off, it’s ok to give them a bath in a baby tub or sink, in a warm room that isn’t drafty. Here’s how to do it:

Choose a baby bath tub or a sink. If you’re using a tub, make sure it’s sturdy, clean, and angled so that your baby won’t slide down (some have padding/non-slip lining for this purpose). If you’re using a sink, make sure it’s clean and that there are no soap dispensers or other objects near the edge that can fall in, and line the bottom with a clean towel. (*Safety tip: Don’t use a bath seat—those are meant for older babies in a regular-sized bathtub, and can easily tip over.)

Gather your supplies. As with a sponge bath, make sure you have everything you need within easy reach before putting your baby in the tub. You’ll need a hooded baby towel; a washcloth; a gentle baby soap and/or shampoo; a cup to use for rinsing; a dry towel; a clean diaper; and clothes to change into post-bath.
Add water to the tub. Fill the tub with no more than 2 inches of warm water—around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Use the elbow-check to make sure the water isn’t too hot, and if it is, add more cold water. Once the tub or sink has water in it, turn off the faucet and/or sprayer.
Undress baby and put them in the tub. Once your little one is in the tub, keep one hand on them at all times, for safety. Babies can drown in as little as an inch of water. Use the cup to gently pour water on your baby’s arms, belly, and shoulders to get them used to the sensation.
Wash baby’s head and face. As with a sponge bath, start by washing the face and head with a soft washcloth and gentle soap—using baby shampoo once or twice a week if necessary. Then rinse gently with the cup of water, cupping your hand over your baby’s brow so they don’t get soapy water in their eyes.
Wash their body. While keeping one hand on your baby at all times, continue washing, moving on to other body parts and saving the diaper area for last.
Remove baby from the bath. Make sure your own hands aren’t sudsy by patting them on the dry towel if necessary, then lift your baby from the tub and wrap them in the hooded towel. Pat them dry, then put on a fresh diaper and clean clothes.

Make sure your baby is safe and cozy in their crib, swing, or another safe spot before you put away the bathtub and supplies. After that, start snuggling with your sweet, clean bundle.