A gentle bath-time routine

Bath time can be one of the sweetest parts of the day, and it helps to have a simple rhythm. This is the routine many parents settle into. Adjust it to suit your baby and your home.

Before you begin

Get everything ready within reach before the water is run: a soft towel, a clean nappy and clothes, and anything else you will need. You should never have to step away from your baby once they are in the bath.

The water

Fill the bath with comfortably warm water and check it with your wrist or elbow before your baby goes in. It should feel pleasantly warm, never hot. A shallow bath is enough. Warm the room too, so your baby is cosy when they come out.

A gentle order of things

1. Settle. Talk or sing softly. A calm voice sets the tone.
2. Lower them in slowly, supporting their head and neck with one hand the whole time.
3. Wash gently, from the face down, using a soft cloth and plain warm water or a mild product.
4. Keep it short. A few minutes is plenty, especially for the very young.
5. Lift out and wrap them straight away in a hooded towel.

Drying and dressing

Pat dry rather than rub, and take a little extra care in the folds of the neck, arms and legs. If your doctor suggests a particular lotion, apply it as they advise, then dress your baby in soft, breathable clothes.

Safety, always

Never leave a baby alone in or near water, not even for a moment. If the phone rings, let it ring, or take your baby with you.

Making it a ritual

A little consistency helps: the same time, the same quiet song, the same soft towel. Bath time then becomes a signal that the day is winding down.

If you are looking for soft towels, bath toys and gentle bath-time pieces, you can browse bath and care. For anything about your baby's skin, please speak to your doctor.