Your baby's first bath can feel surprisingly daunting.

They're tiny, they're wriggly, and the moment you add water they somehow become incredibly slippery. You might be wondering when you're actually supposed to give them their first bath, whether you need baby wash or shampoo, how warm the water should be, and what you need to have ready before you start.

The reassuring answer is: newborn bath time can be incredibly simple.

You don't need a bathroom full of baby products or a bath every night. In those first weeks, it's really about keeping your baby clean, protecting their delicate skin and gradually finding a routine that works for you both.

Here's everything you need to know.

When Should You Give a Newborn Their First Bath?

There's no need to rush your baby's first bath.

The NHS says you don't need to bathe your baby during the first few days. Instead, you can gently wash their face, neck, hands and bottom, often called "topping and tailing"  until you feel ready for their first proper bath.

Your baby may also still have some vernix on their skin after birth. This creamy white coating acts as a natural moisturiser and has protective properties, so it can simply be left to absorb naturally rather than washed away.

There's no prize for getting that first bath done quickly. Choose a moment when your baby is awake and content and you don't feel rushed.

Can You Bathe a Newborn Before Their Umbilical Cord Falls Off?

You may hear conflicting advice about waiting until the cord stump has fallen off.

Current NHS guidance doesn't say you must avoid bathing your baby until this happens. The important thing is keeping the cord area clean and dry. If it becomes dirty with wee or poo, it can be cleaned gently with warm water and then carefully patted dry.

If you're more comfortable waiting, topping and tailing is absolutely fine during those early days too.

How Often Should You Bathe a Newborn?

Newborns don't need a bath every day.

Around 2–3 baths per week is generally enough, with their face, neck, hands and nappy area cleaned as needed between baths.

That said, if your baby loves bath time and you enjoy making it part of your routine, the NHS says there's no reason you can't bathe them every day.

There's no need to force a nightly bath simply because it appears on every newborn routine you see online.

Some babies find the water wonderfully relaxing. Others make it very clear they'd rather be somewhere else.

Both are normal.

What Do You Actually Need for Baby's First Bath?

Much less than you might think.

Before you start, have everything within arm's reach so you don't need to move away from your baby once they're in the water.

For a newborn bath, you'll want:

• a baby bath, clean washing-up bowl or suitable sink
• warm water
• two soft towels
• cotton wool
• a clean nappy
• clean clothes or a sleepsuit

And that's essentially it.

The NHS actually recommends plain water for your baby's skin during the first month, so you don't need to stock up on lots of washes, shampoos and lotions before your baby arrives.

What Temperature Should a Baby's Bath Be?

The water should feel comfortably warm, not hot or cold. If you're using a bath thermometer, aim for around 37°C (98.6°F) roughly body temperature.

Run the cold water first, then add hot water and mix thoroughly so there are no hot patches. Even when using a thermometer, it's a good idea to check the water with your elbow before putting your baby in.

You only need around 8–10cm of water for your newborn's bath, and make sure the room itself is comfortably warm before undressing them, as babies can get cold quickly.

How to Bathe a Newborn Step by Step

Once you've got everything ready, keep it simple.

1. Start with their face

While your baby is still wrapped and warm, gently clean their face with water and cotton wool.

2. Wash their hair

Support your baby securely while gently washing their hair with plain water, then carefully dry their head.

3. Remove their nappy

Clean away any mess before lowering your baby into the bath.

4. Lower them into the water

Support your baby's head and shoulders with one hand, holding securely around their upper arm, and gently lower them into the water.

5. Keep their head above the water

Use your free hand to gently move water over their body rather than splashing them.

6. Keep it short and calm

There's no minimum amount of time your baby needs to spend in the bath. In the beginning, a quick wash may be plenty.

7. Wrap them up

Lift your baby out and wrap them straight into a soft towel.

Pat rather than rub their skin dry and pay particular attention to the little creases around their neck, arms and legs.

And most importantly: never leave a baby alone in the bath, even for a second.

Do Newborns Need Baby Wash or Shampoo?

Not initially.

For the first month, NHS guidance recommends bathing your baby with plain water and avoiding liquid cleansers, lotions and oils while their delicate skin develops.

After those first weeks, you can gradually introduce products if you want to.

You still don't need lots of them. A simple routine using gentle products designed specifically for babies is plenty.

This is another area where fewer, thoughtfully chosen products can be more useful than an overflowing bathroom shelf.

What Should You Do After Baby's Bath?

Get your baby warm and dry first.

Gently pat their skin rather than rubbing it, taking extra care to dry between skin folds. Then put on a clean nappy and something soft and comfortable.

This can also become a lovely moment to slow everything down.

Dim the lights, get them dressed, have a cuddle or feed and move into the next part of your evening.

Not every bath needs to become an elaborate bedtime routine, particularly with a newborn, but over time, repeating the same little sequence can become a familiar part of family life.

Can Bath Time Help a Baby Sleep?

A bath isn't a magic sleep solution, and not every baby finds one relaxing.

But as your baby gets older, a predictable evening routine can provide familiar cues that bedtime is approaching.

For some families that might become:

bath → dry and dress → feed → cuddle → bed

For others, bath time works much better in the morning or afternoon.

Follow your baby rather than feeling as though bath time has to happen immediately before bed.

What If My Baby Hates the Bath?

Don't worry, plenty do at first.

Think about what might be making the experience uncomfortable.

Make sure:

• the room is warm
• the bath water isn't too hot or cold
• your baby isn't hungry
• they aren't overtired
• you aren't bathing them immediately after a feed
• everything is ready so the experience stays calm and quick

The NHS specifically advises avoiding bath time when babies are hungry, tired or immediately after feeding.

And if they still hate it?

You don't need to persist with a long bath every evening. Keep baths short and continue topping and tailing between them.

As your baby becomes more familiar with water, bath time may become something they love.

Baby Bath Essentials You'll Actually Use

You really don't need much to create a comfortable bath-time routine.

Once you're beyond those earliest plain-water baths, a small collection of good-quality essentials can take you from newborn bath time right through to the splashing, bath-toy-filled toddler years.

Organic Cotton Hooded Baby Towel Made from soft, absorbent organic cotton, this hooded towel is designed to keep little ones cosy as soon as they come out of the bath. The sweet teddy ear hood adds an extra touch, while optional name embroidery transforms an everyday bath essential into a thoughtful personalised baby gift or keepsake.	JBØRN Organic Cotton Baby Hooded Towel
Natural Beechwood Hairbrush & Comb Set Designed especially for baby's first hair, the brush features soft goat-hair bristles for a gentle touch on delicate scalps, alongside a smooth wooden finish and wide-toothed comb for easy detangling. Both pieces can be laser engraved with baby's name and come presented in a branded cotton bag, turning a practical everyday essential into a beautiful personalised newborn keepsake.	JBØRN Natural Beechwood Hairbrush & Comb Set | Personalised
Baby Hair & Body Wash + Baby Cream A gentle, fragrance-free skincare duo designed for delicate and sensitive skin, including eczema-prone skin. The 2-in-1 Hair & Body Wash combines prebiotics, probiotics and calming calendula to support the skin microbiome and help maintain a healthy skin barrier, while the matching Baby Cream contains soothing ingredients including calendula and oatmeal extract. A simple two-step routine for gently cleansing, hydrating and caring for baby's skin.	JBØRN Microbiome-Friendly Baby Wash | Fragrance-Free
Organic Cotton Baby Bathrobe A cosy next-stage bath essential for older babies and toddlers, for wrapping little ones up after bath time, swimming or days at the beach. Made from soft, absorbent organic cotton, with a hood to help keep them warm as they dry, it's a practical bath-time essential that can be personalised with their name to make it feel extra special.	JBØRN Organic Cotton Baby Hooded Bathrobe
Bath Toys As your baby gets older, bath toys can turn bath time into an opportunity for play and exploration. Our silicone stacking cups and tumbling penguins encourage reaching, grasping, stacking and pouring, helping to develop coordination, fine motor skills and early problem-solving from around six months. Made from high-quality, food-grade silicone that's BPA, PVC and phthalate-free, the stacking cups are also safe for teething little ones who inevitably explore everything with their mouths.	JBØRN Tumbling Penguins Bath Toy Set JBØRN Silicone Stacking Tower Cups

When Does Baby Bath Time Become Playtime?

Those first newborn baths probably won't involve much playing.

But bath time changes enormously during the first year.

As babies become more alert, develop better head and body control and eventually learn to sit independently, the bath becomes somewhere to splash, reach, pour and play.

This is when bath toys, cups and other simple water-play toys can become much more interesting.

Later still, a hooded bathrobe or poncho towel can become useful for increasingly independent toddlers, particularly for swimming, holidays and trips to the beach.

So while your newborn bath-time setup can be incredibly minimal, the routine can naturally grow with your baby.

Baby's First Bath FAQs

Should I bathe my newborn every day?

No. Newborn babies generally only need bathing around 2–3 times per week, although you can bathe them more frequently if you and your baby enjoy it.

Can I use baby wash from birth?

NHS guidance recommends using plain water for the first month rather than adding cleansers to your baby's bath.

How deep should a newborn bath be?

The NHS recommends around 8–10cm of water for a baby's bath.

Should I bathe my baby before or after feeding?

Try not to bathe your baby when they're hungry or immediately after a feed. Choose a time when they're awake, content and you're not rushing.

Can I bathe my baby if the umbilical cord is still attached?

You don't necessarily need to wait until the stump falls off. Keep the cord clean and dry, and if it becomes dirty, clean it gently with warm water and carefully pat it dry.

Do I need a bath thermometer?

Not necessarily. NHS guidance recommends checking the water with your elbow; it should feel around body temperature and neither too hot nor too cold. A bath thermometer can be an additional tool if you prefer using one.

A Gentle Reminder

Your baby's first bath doesn't need to look like the perfectly styled newborn routines you see online.

You don't need lots of products, a complicated routine or even a daily bath.

In those earliest weeks, warm water, a soft towel, clean clothes and you are really all they need.

Take your time. Have everything ready before you begin, keep your baby securely supported and don't worry if the first few baths involve more crying than calm.

Eventually, those slightly nerve-racking first baths can become something completely different, splashing, bath toys, fluffy towels, bedtime cuddles and one of those familiar little family routines you'll barely remember ever feeling nervous about.