What Is The Safe And Right Temperature For Baby Bath?

Luke warm water is preferable; slightly cooler water can be used in the summer.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Pooja Parikh, MBBS, DCH, DNB Dr. Pooja Parikh Dr. Pooja ParikhMBBS, DCH, DNB MomJunction on FacebookFollow MomJunction on TwitterFollow MomJunction on Instagram Specialty: PediatricsExperience: 11 years
Written by , BSc, MBA Rohit Garoo BSc, MBA Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Baby Health and WellnessExperience: 9 years
Edited by , BDS, CLC Dr. Ritika Shah BDS, CLC Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Dental and General Health, LactationExperience: 10 years
Fact-checked by , MSc, MA, BEd Ghazia Shah MSc, MA, BEd Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Health & WellnessExperience: 3 years
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Safe And Right Temperature For A Baby Bath

Image: Shutterstock

Many parents may wonder whether their newborn baby’s bath temperature is ideal. Some prefer giving their babies a warm bath because it seems to calm and relax them. However, it is better to bathe your newbie in lukewarm water.

While bathing your baby, ensure that the water temperature does not exceed a level that could harm their delicate skin. In case of fever in babies, giving a lukewarm bath or a sponge bath may help temporarily lower the fever while administering the fever medicines prescribed by the pediatrician (1) (2).

Read on to learn more about the recommended bath temperature for newborn babies, how to offer them a safe and pleasant bathing experience, and how to determine the water temperature.

In This Article

What Is The Safest Bath Temperature For Infants?

Bathing in water higher than the ideal temperature may cause burns

Image: Shutterstock

The safest and most preferred bath temperature for newborns and infants is around 98.6° to 100° F (37° to 38° C). Bathing your child in water higher than the ideal temperature can burn their sensitive skin and even lead to dry skin. On the other hand, bathing them in cold water can cause chills.

protip_icon Expert says
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends “that the hottest temperature at the faucet should be no more than 120° F (48.9°C) to help avoid burns (3).”

How Warm Should The Bathing Water Be In Hot Weather?

When the temperature rises in summer, you can bathe your baby in water that is slightly lower in temperature than the usual bathing water. However, the water should not be too cold, as it might make your baby feel cold.

How To Measure The Baby Bath Temperature?

Touch the bath water for a few seconds to check its temperature

Image: Shutterstock

Here are a few ways through which you can monitor your baby’s bath temperature.

  • Use a bath thermometer.
  • Insert your elbow or wrist in the water for a few seconds to check if the water feels mildly warm.
  • Use bath toys or floating thermometers that change color to indicate extremely hot water.

Avoid using the standard mercury-in-glass thermometer to check the water temperature, as the device is delicate to use and may offer only a limited range temperature reading. Besides, the digital thermometer may not be waterproof, so inserting it in a bathtub might ruin it.

Regardless of the method you employ to check the water temperature, always double-check the water by inserting your hand into it to ensure it is safe, secure, and comfortable for your little one. Also, when bathing, if you feel that the water has become cold, pull out your baby immediately.

Ways To Ensure Safe Water Temperature For Your Baby’s Bath

You need to exercise caution when bathing your little one in warm water. Here are some tips to ensure the complete safety of your child.

  • Bathe your child in a clean plastic tub or a sink. Also, keep a sponge, soap, and a mug ready before you start bathing your baby.

    Bathe your child in a clean plastic tub

    Image: Shutterstock

  • Keep regular or cold water handy to make your child’s bath cozy. When the bathtub is partially filled with hot water from the tap, you can mix some cold water to adjust its temperature and create a soothing and safe bath for your child.
  • Throw in some bath toys that track water temperature. Follow it up with a floating thermometer to check the exact temperature of the water. If your baby hates bath time, the toys will help keep them entertained.
  • Always insert your wrist or elbow to check the water temperature before putting your child in the tub.
  • Ensure that the water level in the tub is not above two inches or five centimeters. You can gradually increase the level as your baby grows.
  • Install child proof taps and knobs to prevent accidental scalding. You can also add faucet covers to prevent burns in case a child accidently touches the faucets when they are hot.
  • Empty the bathtub and buckets completely and close the toilet lid after use to prevent accidental drowning.

    Empty the bathtub and buckets to prevent accidental drowning

    Image: Shutterstock

  • To avoid shocks all the electrical outlets not in use should be covered. Also, devices like electric razors and hair dryers should be unplugged after use as electricity may leak even after the device has been switched off.

protip_icon Quick tip
Mix hot and cold water well to ensure there are no hot spots, which may cause scalding (4).

Additional Safety Tips To Follow

Dry them quickly after bath

Image: Shutterstock

  • When placing your child in a bathtub, always hold them carefully with your dominant hand. You can use the other hand to support their back and head.
protip_icon Point to consider
Keep the baby’s head clear of the water without splashing, so they don’t feel suffocated.
  • The faucet attached to the bathtub heats up after running hot water. So, ensure that you place your baby away from the faucet to avoid chances of accidentally burning their skin.
  • Do not bathe your child with warm water running from the faucet.
  • If there is a risk of your child touching the hot faucet, cover it with a faucet cover.
  • Never leave your child alone in the bathtub, as they could drown or accidentally slip and hurt themselves.
  • Ensure that there are no drafts of air entering the bath area.
  • The ideal time to bathe newborns and infants is noon when the environmental temperature is highest in the day.
  • Wrap your baby in a gentle, soft, and thick towel and dry them quickly and thoroughly so they do not catch a cold.
  • Your baby’s body should be completely dry before you put on the diaper and clothes.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often should babies be bathed?

The AAP suggests that babies may be bathed about three times a week with tender care and not more than that as it may lead to the drying of their skin (3).

2. What happens if the baby’s bath is too warm?

In case a baby’s bathing water is too hot it might lead to instant scalding of the skin which can be very painful for the baby (5).

3. Can a baby go in a hot tub?

It is not advisable for infants and toddlers to be let into a hot tub as they have sensitive skin and are prone to overheating (6).

Although many parents and elders have varied opinions on the right newborn baby bath temperature, most people stick to lukewarm water ranging from 37° to 39°C. This is the ideal temperature for giving your baby a bath at night or during the day. While you must be alert and cautious when bathing a newborn, you need not be too worried about it. Though you may not be able to constantly measure the water temperature, be intuitive and ensure it suits your baby’s delicate skin. Further, ensure you follow the safety measures listed above to have a safe baby bathing experience.

Infographic: How To Bathe The Baby When They Are Sick?

Safety measures while bathing a baby are essential to be followed, and more so when they have a cold or fever. So this infographic will provide tips and ways to bathe your baby when they are sick, so you may keep them clean without worsening their condition.

points to rememeber when bathing a sick baby (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

  • A safe water temperature to bathe your baby should be 98.6° to 100°F.
  • You can check the temperature with a bath thermometer or dip your elbow to feel it. Also, the bath toys change color if the water is too hot.
  • Ensure to keep aside some regular or cold water ready and never leave your baby alone in the bathtub.

Illustration: What Is The Safe And Right Temperature For Baby Bath?

newborn baby bath temperature_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team


Bath water for babies needs to be at a comfortable temperature for their safety. Learn how to check for the perfect temperature for your baby’s bathwater with this video.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

1. Everything you need to know about fevers in children; Children’s National Hospital
2. When your baby or infant has a fever; National Institutes of Health
3. Bathing Your Baby; American Academy Of Pediatrics
4. Bath temperature for your baby; HSE
5. Safe bath temperature: babies and children; Raising Children
6. Hot Tub Safety Tips; PHTA

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Dr. Pooja Parikh
Dr. Pooja ParikhMBBS, DCH, DNB
Dr. Pooja Parikh is a pediatrician with 11 years of experience in the field. Her medical journey has taken her from Rajkot (PDUMC) to Vadodara (SSGH) to Mumbai (Hinduja & Breach Candy Hospital). Currently, she is actively involved in critical, intensive, and general care of 0 to 18-year-olds in the port town of Gandhidham, where she was born and brought up.

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Rohit Garoo
Rohit GarooBSc, MBA
Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University.

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Dr. Ritika Shah
Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC
Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College.

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Ghazia Shah
Ghazia ShahMSc, MA, BEd
Ghazia is a scientist-turned-writer with three years of research experience in Cancer Biology. She did her masters degree in Biotechnology at the University of Kashmir and bachelors in Education at the same university. Ghazia then delved deeper into the science of language with a masters in English.

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