How to bathe a baby: top and tail, temperature and safety

Babies need a bath, but they certainly don't want one! Bath time is a learning curve for both you and your child, and it may take time for you to find a routine that works.¹

Read on for practical baby bath tips, including what you'll need, how to wash your baby step by step, and how to keep them safe and comfortable throughout.

When, and how often, should you bathe your baby?

You should wait at least 24 hours after your baby is born before giving them their first bath. This wait time is considered safest for most babies.² However, there’s no rush, and some families wait even longer.

After your baby's first bath, you can bath them two to three times a week. Exactly when, and how often, is up to you. Newborns don’t need a daily bath, but if they enjoy the warm water then there’s no reason to not do more.

TOP TIP: to make bath time a more enjoyable experience, choose a time when your baby is awake, happy, and hasn't just been fed.

What do you need to bathe your baby?

Before bath time begins, get everything you need ready. This makes things simpler for you and safer for your child, as you won't need to leave the room until you finish.

For babies of all ages, whether you're doing a full bath or a quick top and tail, you'll use many of the same essentials:

• A baby bath, a clean washing up bowl, or just the sink

• 2 towels

• Cotton wool or a clean, soft reusable cloth

• A clean nappy

• Clean clothes

• Any specific creams your baby needs (i.e. eczema cream).

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) recommends that you don't use baby bath seats. If you do, it's important to remember bath seats don’t replace your supervision. And you should never rely on them to keep your baby safe in the bath.¹ Generally, it's much safer to support them in your arms while in the bathtub.

In the first month of your child's life, it's best to wash their skin with plain water while its protective barrier is developing.³ After this, you may want to use a mild, fragrance-free liquid cleanser.

How do you top and tail your baby?

Topping and tailing is a quick, gentle clean you can do between baths, especially for newborns. It means washing their face, neck, hands, and bottom with warm water and cotton wool or a soft cloth. You can do it whenever your baby needs it – after feeds, if they are sick, or a messy nappy.

1. Make sure your room is warm. Hold your child on your knee or a changing mat. Undress them, but leave the vest and nappy on at first, then wrap them in a towel to keep them warm

2. Keep talking to your baby about what you are doing as you go. Your voice can help them relax, and it’s a lovely way to bond

3. Dip the cotton wool or cloth in warm water and squeeze it so it’s damp but not dripping. Wipe from the inner corner (near the nose) outward

4. Use a fresh piece of cotton wool or unused section of cloth for the other eye, so that you don’t move any stickiness or germs from one eye to the other

5. Wash the rest of the face and skin creases with another fresh cotton piece, gently cleaning the nose area, cheeks, and neck. Then, clean around the outside of the ears. Do not try to clean inside the ears

6. Pat dry carefully with the towel, especially in any folds. If your baby has lots of creases, especially around their wrists, elbows and armpits, make sure you clean and dry these too

7. Gently clean the hands and feet with more cotton wool, before drying

8. Now remove the nappy. Using fresh cotton wool and warm water, clean their bottom and genital area. Dry very carefully, then put on a clean nappy

9. If there’s no rash, you usually don’t need any creams. But, if you’re dealing with redness or soreness, follow your usual nappy rash routine or medical advice

10. If your baby still has their umbilical cord, you only need to clean around it if it’s dirty. Use fresh cotton wool and warm water to wipe gently, then pat dry with a towel.

Newborn to one month

1. Fill the bath with cold water first and add hot water after, before checking the temperature with your wrist or elbow. The water should feel warm and comfortable, ideally 37-38 degrees centigrade.⁴ The depth of the water should be a few centimetres high – just enough to wash with, but not so deep that it could reach their head

2. Undress your baby as needed, but you can keep them wrapped in a towel at first to prevent chills

3. Begin with the face, using warm water and cotton wool or a soft cloth. Clean only what you can see; never put anything deep inside the ear canal or nose

4. If your baby has started growing hair, hold them securely over the bath and rinse with plain water

5. Gently dry their hair with the towel before moving on

6. Remove the nappy and make sure their bottom is clean before placing them into the bath

7. Use one arm to support their head, neck, and shoulders and lower them slowly and securely into the bath. Always keep your baby’s head clear of the water

8. With your hand, gently swish water over their body

9. Lift them out and wrap them straight into a towel. Pat dry and take extra care to dry between skin creases

10. Put on a clean nappy and clothes soon after drying so your baby doesn’t get cold.

One to 12 months

1. Fill the bath, making sure it is warm and comfortable throughout and not so deep that it reaches their head

2. Wash their face using plain water and cotton wool or a soft cloth. Never put anything deep inside the ear canal or nose

3. Once your baby is over one month old, you may need a splash of shampoo to fully cleanse their longer hair and nourish their scalp.¹ Lather a small amount onto wet hair and rinse off. Gently dry their hair before moving on

4. Remove the nappy and make sure their bottom is clean before placing them into the bath

5. Use one or both arms to support their head, neck, and shoulders and lower them slowly and securely into the bath. Always keep your baby’s head clear of the water

6. Mix a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser into the water and gently swish over their body. Alternatively, you may lather the cleanser directly onto the skin. Use no more than a few small drops, rinse thoroughly and always keep it away from their eyes. Follow your doctor’s advice: if your baby’s skin is very sensitive, you can always use plain water instead

7. Lift them out and wrap them straight into a towel. Pat dry and take extra care to dry between skin creases

8. Put on a clean nappy and clothes soon after drying so your child doesn’t get cold.

Is there an ideal baby bath routine?

The best bath routine is a consistent one. Babies love routine and when they begin to know what to expect, they often feel more settled and secure. Your bath routine may include:

1. Taking the bath

2. Drying off, applying lotion

3. Massage

4. Changing to new clothes

5. Reading a book or singing a song

6. Put your baby down in their bed or cot.

What should you do after bathing your baby?

NHS guidance says that after a bath can be a good time to massage your little one.⁵

Massaging them after bath time creates a comforting routine and helps maximise your skin-to-skin contact. If you use a lotion or oil, it's best to wait until your baby is at least one month old.

If bath time forms part of your baby's evening routine, you may find it helpful to follow a simple sequence of bath, massage and quiet time. Try our Baby safe sleeping guide to see how bath time can help promote your baby's development and help them fall asleep faster and for longer*.

References

This content is brought to you by the UK's No. 1 Recommended Baby Skincare Brand for Babies with Sensitive Skin, based on the online survey of 201 UK retail pharmacists conducted by IQVIA for Kenvue, May 2026.

^{*AVEENO® Baby Calming Comfort™ range is a clinically proven routine that helps babies fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Clinical study, tested on babies aged 7 months+, after 1 week+ of use.}

_{1. NHS Inform. Bathing your baby,} https://www.nhsinform.scot/ready-steady-baby/early-parenthood/caring-for-your-new-baby/bathing-your-baby/

_{2. NHS. Hygiene for infants,} https://www.bedslutonchildrenshealth.nhs.uk/child-development-and-growing-up/hygiene/hygiene-for-infants/

_{3. NHS. Bathing your baby,} https://www.nhs.uk/best-start-in-life/baby/baby-basics/caring-for-your-baby/bathing-your-baby/

_{4. Baby Centre. Bathing your baby safely,} https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a40/bathing-your-baby-safely

_{5. NHS. Washing and bathing your baby,} https://www.nhs.uk/baby/caring-for-a-newborn/washing-and-bathing-your-baby/