How Often Should I Bathe My Baby?

We know we’re not alone in saying that there’s nothing quite like the fresh, comforting smell of a baby….if only we could bottle it up! But, how often should you bathe your little one? The answer depends on the baby’s age (and, let’s be honest, on the baby’s tolerance of water!). Rest assured though, that no matter how much you bathe your little one, that incredible baby smell won’t disappear for quite a few months.

Most people have heard that it can be beneficial to wash your hair every other day (or even just a couple times a week) so that you don’t strip your hair of the natural oils. Similarly, bathing your baby two to three times a week is the norm– this will ensure that your baby is clean, while not overexposing their soft and sensitive skin to too many of the minerals found in tap water. The first couple baths  should be sponge baths, at least until the umbilical cord stump falls off.

Regardless of whether you’re giving your baby a sponge bath or if you’re bathing your baby in the sink/bathtub, the first couple bath experiences may result in a crying baby, and more water on you than in the tub. If your baby protests when you try to bath him/her in the sink or bathtub, try, try, try again. If all else fails, you can go back to sponge baths until your baby becomes more comfortable around water. Babies will usually become used to baths after a week or two. They may even be soothed by the water! Once your baby is older than 12 months, you can begin bathing your baby more frequently.