Bathing a baby

How do you keep a newborn baby clean? When should you start giving them a bath? What is topping and tailing? We answer your questions.

In the womb a white, sticky substance called vernix [ver-nix] covers the baby’s delicate skin. After they’re born you may notice a lot of vernix, or very little, and this protects the skin against infection in the early days. Vernix shouldn’t be washed off (NHS, 2024a).

Some babies are born with dry and cracked skin, as the vernix has already been absorbed by the skin (NHS, 2024a).

Over the first month, the baby’s skin will develop its own protective barrier. This is why it’s best to bath them with only plain water in the first month. Cleansers, lotions or wipes aren't needed (NHS, 2024a).

Premature baby’s skin is even more sensitive and may take longer to develop this barrier. The healthcare team will advise about bathing a premature baby (NHS, 2024a).

Our NCT Antenatal courses cover practical baby care in the early days.

Topping and tailing

Topping and tailing is when just the baby’s face and bottom are washed, and not the whole body. This is a quicker cleaning option for every day, and recommended in the first month or at least until the baby’s cord has dropped off.

Top and tail tips:

Special equipment isn't needed to top or tail.
Have everything to hand so the baby isn't left alone.
Choose a time when they are content, and keep talking to your baby so they are reassured.
Make sure the room is warm, so they don’t get cold.
You can top and tail your baby anywhere that works for you. This might be on your knee, or on a changing mat or towel on the ground.
You don’t need to remove all their clothes.
In the UK tap water is usually fine for washing your baby. If you’re concerned, then use cooled, boiled water.

Guide to topping and tailing (NHS, 2024b):

You need:

a bowl of plain warm water
cotton wool or your preferred washable soft cloth
a clean nappy
a towel
clean clothes

Dip the cotton wool or cloth in the water, then squeeze it out slightly so it’s not too wet.
Start at the face. Wipe one eye from the nose outward. Use a new piece of cotton wool or another part of the cloth for the other eye so you don’t transfer any germs.
With a fresh pad, clean the ears, nose and neck creases. You may need more than one pad if there’s lots to clean away.
Don’t try and clean inside the ears with cotton wool or cotton wool buds.
When you’ve finished, dry the face and neck gently with a towel.
Now use more cotton wool or the cloth to gently wipe clean the baby’s hands and feet, then dry.
If the baby has lots of folds, check their wrists, elbows and armpits.
Finish at the bottom. Take off the baby’s nappy and use a fresh cotton wool ball or cloth to wash the bottom and genital area.
Unless the baby has a rash, it’s not necessary to use antiseptic or antifungal cream.
If the baby has folds of skin around their thighs and knees, check and wipe these too.
Carefully dry the baby and put on a clean nappy.

What about the umbilical cord?

Until the cord has dropped off, you only need to clean it if it has got dirty with wee or poo. Wipe gently with wet cotton wool before drying it, in the same way you top and tail (NHS, 2024b).

The umbilical cord should dry out and drop off after about a week. Keep it clean and dry until it does. Tell the GP or midwife if there is any bleeding or discharge from it (NHS, 2024a). The NHS has useful information in their caring for the umbilical cord stump video.

When should I start bathing my baby?

When you and your baby are ready to have a bath, here’s how.

Bathing your baby safely

Never leave your baby alone in a bath, even for a second. An adult must be in the room, within arm’s reach, and watching at all times (RoSPA, no date).

This means having everything you need to hand before putting the baby in the bath. A wet baby is slippery and can drown quickly and quietly in the time it takes to fetch a towel from another room or answer a phone call. Never rely on being able to hear that the baby is in trouble (RoSPA, no date).

Baby bath seats can easily topple over. Keep watching at all times (RoSPA, no date).

How often to bath a baby?

There is no need to bathe a baby every day. Just do what feels right for your family (NHS, 2024b).

How do I bathe my baby?

Guide to bathing your baby (NHS, 2024b; RoSPA, no date):

Choose a bath time when your baby is content and awake. It’s better not to bathe them straight after a feed or when they’re hungry or tired.
Gather everything you need: the baby bath (if you have one), one or two towels, a cloth wipe or cotton wool, a clean nappy and clean clothes.
Some people use a clean sink to bathe their baby. Others use the adult bath, although leaning over a bath might be uncomfortable and tiring after a caesarean birth.
Run the cold water before adding hot water, and mix it so there are no hot spots. Baby's thin skin is more likely to scald, so check the temperature with your wrist or elbow.
You need no more than a few centimetres deep, to ensure the water doesn’t go over their head.
You can use just plain, warm water. When the baby is over a month old you could add a simple cleanser suitable for babies.
Holding the baby wrapped in a towel, you could wash their face.
You could hold them over the bath to rinse their hair – their head shouldn’t go underwater in the bath.
Take off the baby’s nappy and clean any poo away as normal.
Lower the baby into the bowl or bath. Use one arm to support their head and shoulders.
With your other hand, you can swish water gently over the baby.
Babies get cold quickly, so when ready, pull the plug and empty the bath straight away.
Lift the baby out and wrap them in a towel. Dry them gently, including any folds in their skin.
This can be a nice time to give them a massage if the room is warm enough.
Then put their clothes on before they get too cold.

More safety tips (RoSPA, no date)

A non-slip mat can reduce the chance of slipping in the bath.
A thermostatic mixing value controls the temperature of water. Some parents may consider getting one fitted.
A floating thermometer for baths is a lower-cost alternative.
Ensure there are no cleaning products, medicines, or cosmetics within reach of your baby .

Taking a bath with your baby

If your baby doesn’t enjoy the bath, the water might be too hot or too cold.

Taking a bath with your baby can be a nice way to reassure them. The bath should be the right temperature for a baby. Sit in the bath yourself and get someone to pass the baby to you. Remember they will get cold more quickly than you. Pass the baby out before you get out (NHS, 2024b).

Should I cut my baby’s nails?

Some babies have long nails from birth, which they can scratch themselves with. If they do scratch themselves, it can mean germs can get into their skin.

You can cut a baby’s nails with baby nail clippers or round ended safety scissors. Or file them down with a fine emery board (NHS, 2024b).