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Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

I'm so nervous to give my baby a bath once he comes! What supplies do I need to keep him safe?

Re: I'm so nervous to give my baby a bath once he comes! What supplies do I need to keep him safe?

The Bump Expert

Relax -- bathtime may be scary at first, but it's definitely not as difficult as it may seem. Actually, for many new moms, baby's bathtime is a daily (or weekly) treat. Use this guide to make them most of the experience. (Items with a * are must-haves.)

[  ] Baby bathtub

[  ] Baby soap*

[  ] Baby shampoo

[  ] 2-4 soft towels or hooded baby towels

[  ] Baby hairbrush

[  ] Soft washcloths (use a different color or pattern than your diaper washcloths!)

| May 07 , 2009 2:38 PM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

They also say that because of the healing belly button, you will need to give your newborn a spongebath until it heals. And honestly - baby's don't really get that dirty... they're not really playing in the mud or anything, so you can take some time easing into the bath routine until you're comfortable.

ashleyandbrian | August 14 , 2009 5:43 PM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

Babies may not get all that dirty, but they got spots under their rolls that can catch dirty stuff. If not a bath, be sure to take a warm clean cloth and wipe in those spots or baby can get infections. :D

BrendaAD | November 19 , 2009 2:42 PM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

Make sure to get a surgical brush from the hospital staff or buy a "mushroom" brush from a kitchen supply store.This is hands down the best tool for shampooing baby's head and keeping cradle cap away. http://img.alibaba.com/photo/11478694/Disposable_Surgical_Hand_Brush.jpg

acrlyhed | February 15 , 2010 3:00 PM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

just make sure u have all the things needed right there within half an arms reach and your all ood! and remember the baby is not as fragile as it feels!

yellowskittle | May 24 , 2010 8:55 PM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

We used something similar to the Baby Cocoon Bath Seat in our baby bath tub. It allowed our daughter to be in the warm water but laying at an angle to avoid sips of water when she would suddenly turn her head during bath time.

lkoskella | May 30 , 2010 10:31 PM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

My son is four months old now...the first few baths were really tramatic for him and for me (once he started screaming i would start crying). i found the best way to give him a bath was to climb in the tub with him. I was really lucky at first as my husband was home and we would take turns, he would hold him and i would soap him up and rinse him off. Once he hit about 2.5 months he was kicking and splashing so much we tried filling the tub with about 2 inches of water and putting him in alone and he loved it. Im not sure if it is recommended but that is what worked for me. Stuff to have on hand: Daddy (1) he is a big helper Baby Face Cloth (1) Hooded baby Towel (1) baby soap

Dottiethehottie | June 25 , 2010 2:10 PM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

i always use the travel tub for my LO's bath time. it folds up for storage, which i love. i keep it upside down in our tub to dry, then i just fold it up with the soap laying in the bottom of it. to keep baby calm during the bath, use 2 washcloths! i put one on his belly and use the other to actually wash him with. the belly one is quite a bit larger, so it keeps a big area of him nice and warm. from time to time i re wet that cloth to warm it again. he likes the bath! i use a cup to rinse him in new warm water from the tap. just make sure it's not TOO warm...not even close to hot! too warm can hurt your baby's sensitive skin.

tnpeppermintlipgloss | August 09 , 2010 7:19 AM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

I swear by using Aquaphor as a moisturizer. DS had baby ecxema for months. We tried Rx ointments and they helped but didn't make the ecxema go away completely. After we started using Aquaphor, it gradually vanished over a week or so, and his skin is always so soft. We use it after every bath.

kmh2201 | November 16 , 2010 11:44 AM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

We love bath time! My son is 2 months old and we tried several different bath methods. I tried rolling up towels and padding the sink with them -- pretty precarious. Then I tried getting in the tub myself and bathing with him (harder than it looks). Finally we bought a Tummy Tub which is a clear plastic bucket-looking-thing. It cost about $34 on Amazon but was totally worth it. He loves the Tummy Tub and feels to comfortable. You have to support the chin with your hand so they don't slip into the water, but babies love the cozy feeling! This is by far the best bath routine we've had. I do it in the kitchen sink so I don't have to bend over on my knees. I queue the iPod to some cute music and have a hooded bath robe all ready. Loving the bath time!

atomicemmy | March 01 , 2011 10:30 PM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

Make sure to use a very soft washcloth at first and stay away from the belly button until it's dropped off. Also don't forget a plastic cup to fill with water to use to rinse their head. Just lean their head back and pour water over to wash the soap off. Will need to use a washcloth after a while to help get the cradle cap off.

mdhohenshelt | March 22 , 2011 1:36 PM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

We are loving the Tummy Tub. I was skeptical because it just looks like you're paying $35 for a bucket. But LO loves having a bath in it and it's actually very ergonomic and comfortable for him. He's much happier than when we tried other bath methods. You DO have to support their chin with one hand at all times when they're little so water doesn't get in their mouths/noses.

atomicemmy | March 22 , 2011 11:25 PM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

The Puj Tub Is incredible for small babies! It fits in any sink so you dont have to bend over the bath tub and hurt your back.

floridachica340 | April 20 , 2011 11:17 PM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

I've been told by lots of family and friends that taking the baby into the shower with you for just a few minutes as soon as the umbilical cord falls off helps them to get used to bath time. They don't mind as much when they are this little because they are still used to being in water, but hold them close cause they do get slippery.

WhiteButterfly08 | June 22 , 2011 12:48 PM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

for the 1st couple weeks (healing belly button) i used a $5 bath sponge from babies r us and wiped the baby down ffrom head to toe with aveeno baby bath/wash. A baby tub is good to have but it's NOT a necessity (in my opinion) until 3months which is when most babies are able to sit erect Hope that helped :-)

GOODMOM87 | September 12 , 2011 10:04 PM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

With my first girl, I was too nervous and my mom had to do it! We just laid her down on a towel on the bed or some place soft and used a washcloth dipped in soapy water. Then we rinsed using a seperate washcloth. We kept the parts that we weren't washing covered with a towel. Once her belly button fell off/out, I found that a baby tub was a pain to use! So, my mom suggested just putting a folded up towel in our bathtub with just enough warm water (about 1-2 inches worth). This was so nice! I had to bend over, but I didn't care. Then I would prep everything (washcloth with soap, get a shampoo bottle with a hand pump...or splurge and buy the huggies washcloths that come with soap on them, and all you have to do is get them wet...we used those for the first two months with our second girl). Then when I was done, I just transferred baby into a dry, clean towel and went from there. :)

EstherC82 | September 16 , 2011 12:31 PM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

A changing table is very, very useful, for dressing, changes, belly button cleaning and massages and I wouldn't do without one. I think in-built baths are really no good though as they are famous for being impossible to drain all the water out. For our first child my wife and I bought all the necessary supplies and new bathroom vanities with vessel sinks, they turned out to be very useful.

kci15 | September 24 , 2011 12:18 PM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

My sister in law just bought me a Johnson and Johnson bath time set.It comes with baby shampoo,baby wash,baby lotion,baby oil,baby power,baby cotton swabs and Desitin for baby's bottom to prevent diaper rash and it comes with a nice caddy to keep everything neat after baby's bath.I can't wait for my little one to be born so I can use all the stuff in the set.19 weeks left YAY!!!

nicolealexandra2385 | September 25 , 2011 11:05 PM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

What I usually stock up on is baby soap, lotion, and alcohol for the umbilical stump. Some pediatricians will recommend this and others wont but I've done it this way for so long, that I still do it like that. A good friend of mine from Furniture Removal San Diego recently told me that she uses cotton balls or cutips to apply the alcohol to the stump. You don't have to use the baby soap necessarily but I like the way it smells so i sponge bathe my baby and clean it all off with a clean cloth.

leronimo | October 13 , 2011 8:04 AM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

I was told during my baby care preparation class that a newborns skin is sooooo much more thin than our skin, so anything that you apply to their skin just gets soaked up into their little sensitive bodies. She said it is not necessary to use any soap, lotion, alcohol (ouch!), etc. on most of their body (except for their hair, hands, and butt) for the first 6 weeks. We are just going to wipe our baby down with a soft, warm, wet cloth until she reaches 6 weeks then start immersing her in the bath. Also, keep them bundled up while doing this and only expose the body part that you are washing. They get cold and insecure when their whole naked body is exposed.

StephanieG27 | November 10 , 2011 5:18 PM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

Thanks for the thesis help! It was actual for us indeed

Gerny | December 28 , 2011 7:35 AM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

I used all different brands with my son...his skin wasn't sensitive, so nothing irritated him. They all work the same. In my bath supply kit I usually keep a bottle of Johnson's baby oil wash. The lavender is alright to me. I also keep some baby bloomers, a towel, johnsons baby powder, a toy and a pacifier just in case.

kci15 | January 30 , 2012 5:02 AM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

I know the feeling I've been through that as well. What I can suggest is not to use perfumed soap and things like that. Try to avoid all kinds of perfumes because you don't know how your baby's skin will react to them. Use something delicate, baby shampoo would be great. Enjoy it!

MiaWeiman | February 17 , 2012 4:39 PM

Q&A: Bath supplies for a newborn?

I think you should also think about bathtub filter.I know that this is not necessarily for newborns but it is good to have a good bathtub filter.

marcydaoubt | March 05 , 2012 2:25 PM

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