Parenting tips: Should you bathe your newborn everyday?

As a rule, it really depends on you as a parent when it comes to how often you want to bathe your baby. A lot of babies love baths, and bathtime is a fun bonding activity for both you and your baby.

However, there are some things to always keep in mind when it comes to keeping your baby clean.

1. Too much bathing can actually dry out your baby's skin

While it's up to you to decide on how often you want to bathe your baby, keep in mind that bathing them too frequently can dry out their skin! Dry skin can lead to rashes, and you would not want that to happen to your baby!

On average, you can bathe your baby once a day, maybe twice if it's a particularly hot day. Remember that babies don't usually get stinky or dirty, so a daily bath isn't required, especially for newborns.

2. Sponge baths are good!

Sponge baths are an easy way to make sure that your baby stays clean. Doctors recommend sponge baths for newborns until their umbilical cord falls off. This usually takes a week or two.

If you want to give your baby a sponge bath, make sure to place them on a clean and flat surface, and prepare some warm (not hot!) water, baby soap and shampoo, and towels to dry your baby.

3. Make sure to use a mild soap

As your baby's skin is very sensitive, it's best to use the mildest soap that you can find. It's good to look for baby soaps that don't have any additives or any antibacterial ingredients. This is because based on studies, antibacterial ingredients don't really kill more bacteria than regular soaps.

4. Prepare everything in advance

To make it easier for you, make sure to prep everything in advance before you bathe your baby. That way, you can immediately get your baby dry and out of the water instead of spending more time looking for the things that you need.

Prepare their baby soap, baby shampoo, as well as towels to dry them. If you use baby powder or any special creams, then you should get those ready too. Make sure to dry your baby thoroughly after their bath, to keep them nice and comfy!

5. Make it fun!

As with everything you do with your baby, you should make it fun! Bathing is a great bonding activity with your baby, and you can try and give them a baby massage during their bath.

Babies also love playing with water, so it's a good idea to let them splash around a bit! Though, make sure that they don't soak themselves too much since they might get cold, and their skin might get dried out!

Always remember that your child's first year is full of amazing memories, so you have to make the most out of it, since they really do grow up really fast.

Sources: babycentre.co.uk, parents.com, mayoclinic.org

READ: Daily routines for a happier and healthier baby