When And How Often Do You Start Giving Your Baby A Bath At Night?

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Bathing your newborn is one of the most crucial responsibilities you will have as a parent. You might be skeptical about a few queries while bathing a baby, such as “If giving a baby bath at night is safe?” and “How do you begin washing a baby?”

It may be a bit of an anxious experience holding such a tiny infant in your arms when you try to bathe them. Read on to find out when and how to start bathing your infant at home, as well as some helpful tips.”

When Do You Start Giving Your Baby Bath At Night And How Often?

Your baby already had their first bath right after birth. They have already experienced their first soak in the bathtub and gotten their first soap cleanup while still at the hospital. Now that you are home, you will be giving your baby a bath.

If your baby hates bath time, it’s important to start with the basics of bathing. At this age, your baby still does not need a bath every day. You should start by bathing your baby probably two or three times a week. Giving them a bath each day can easily dry out their skin, as it is extremely delicate (1). Create a bathtime routine so that your baby starts looking forward to this time.

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You need not use soaps every time you give them a bath. Using plain water to clean your baby is good enough. If the weather is hot and your baby is sweating, you can use a damp and soft washcloth to clean them. You can also wet your hand and lightly clean your baby’s face, eyes, and mouth. Ensure you clean the ear, neck, under the arms, behind the knees, hands, thighs, and the diaper area. Also, make sure the belly button of your baby doesn’t submerge under water until after the cord falls off (2). Be gentle with your actions always.

Whether you want to bathe your baby in the daytime or at night is entirely your choice. While giving your baby a bath, it is always a good idea to choose that time of the day when you have enough time on hand. You should not be in a situation where you need to rush while giving your baby a bath.

Quick tip

It may help to have an extra set of hands when bathing a baby. You may choose a time when you have someone else to help with, especially in the initial few weeks (1).

The timing also depends on your baby’s comfort. It is also important to ensure that your baby is not too tired, too sleepy or too hungry. If your baby is very irritable, it may get difficult for you to bathe them. Time your baby’s bath in such a way that they are neither too hungry nor too full.

Giving your baby a bath at night before bedtime can be a comforting sleep time routine and a relaxation technique. You can prepare a warm bath and lightly massage their body. If your baby does not sleep well, a soothing bath can help them relax and sleep better (1) (2).

Texas-based pediatrician Dr. Ella Miller says, “A night-time bath is generally safe, provided the water is lukewarm. Bathing a baby at night can help them relax by relieving tense muscles and establishing a peaceful bedtime routine. To allow the infant time to cool down, try to finish the bath 30 minutes before bedtime.”

Quick Points To Remember Before Giving Baby A Bath At Night:

Here are a few tips to ensure your baby’s bath-time is a relaxed affair (3) (4):

• How and where you are bathing your baby depends on your comfort. You can bathe them in the bathroom, in a bathtub, or even in your bedroom. Whenever you are giving your baby a bath, you need to make sure that the temperature of the bath and the room is warm and soothing. It will prevent your baby from catching a cold.
• Use a small amount of bubble bath to create bubbles in the water when your baby is four to six weeks old (8). Add some toys to the water. With some splashing, songs, and cuddles, you can ensure that your baby has a great bath time.
  McKenna Walker, a mother of three, shares her approach to making her son Melo’s bath time enjoyable, “For his bubbles, I like to use little lavender bubble pods. They just kind of dissolve and break up into the water, creating bubbles. But they’re safe for sensitive skin, which is why I like them. I also enjoy keeping a couple of toys in the bath for him as well (i).”

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• Ensure you keep all things handy before you take your baby for a bath. Keep a big soft towel on the bed and place items like baby’s body oil, moisturizer, hair oil, talcum powder, diaper, and diaper rash cream near it. Take out the clothes that your baby will wear after a bath and keep them ready on the bed. Use soft pajamas or onesies to make your baby seem comfortable. You can even swaddle your baby. Keeping all these at hand will keep both you and the baby calm.

• Your baby will probably be hungry after a bath, so make sure you have all their feeding essentials in place too.
• Once the bath is done, cuddle up with your baby, sing a lullaby, or read a story. It is a warm bonding time for you. Most likely, your little one will drop right off to sleep.

Caution

Never leave your baby alone in a tub or shower, not even for a few seconds, for safety reasons. They may drown very quickly, even in shallow water (1). Ensure that they are always under supervision. According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report, two-thirds of all drownings among infants under one year old occur in bathtubs.

Infographic: Things To Note About Bathing A Baby At Night

One challenge as new parents could be bathing your newborn baby. Although bathing is integral to a baby’s daily routine, it’s vital to note a few things when doing it at night. So, scroll through the infographic below for helpful tips and tricks for bathing an infant at night.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: When And How Often Do You Start Giving Baby Bath At Night?

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Learn proper baby care routines in this helpful video. Discover how frequently to bathe your baby and whether it’s necessary to apply lotion on a daily basis.

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Dr. Joel WarshMD

Dr. Joel “Gator” Warsh specializes in Parenting, Wellness and Integrative Medicine. The board-certified pediatrician holds over ten years of experience and runs his private practice, Integrative Pediatrics and Medicine, in Los Angeles, California.

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