It’s Tub Time!

Once your baby’s umbilical cord has fallen off, she’s ready to go for a dip in an infant tub. The smaller size of an infant tub is comforting for her, and makes bath time easier for you (wet babies are squirmy and slippery!). She’ll be ready to graduate to a toddler tub or the big tub once she can hold her head up, at about 6 months.

Some babies don’t like making the transition from the sponge bath to an infant tub, so don’t worry if yours isn’t ready right away. If she gets very fussy, keep giving her sponge baths for another week and then try the tub again.

The Right Tub

When you’re shopping for a tub, you’ll want to choose one that’s the right size for your baby. Look for a plastic one with an insert for newborns, which will keep her head out of the water. It should also have slip-resistant backing to keep it from moving while you’re bathing her. Another option: an inflatable tub, which is easy to store when you’re not using it. (Some parents skip an infant tub altogether and simply use a sink. This is a great option as well—just make sure to clean the sink well before baby’s dip!)

Bathing Baby

• Gather all of your supplies first: two cottonballs, two washcloths, baby wash and shampoo, an infant tub, and a towel.

• Fill the tub with 2 or 3 inches of warm water—not hot. Put it down on a flat and stable surface, like the bathroom floor. Using one hand to support your baby’s head, gently lower her into the water.

• The eyes come first: Gently wipe baby’s peepers with a wet cottonball, from the inner corner outward. Use a fresh cottonball for each eye.

• Then wash baby’s face and neck area with a soapy washcloth. Rinse the area off with a clean washcloth. Work your way down the rest of her body, keeping her warm by frequently pouring warm water onto her chest with a clean washcloth or by cupping your hands.

• Leave baby’s hair for last, since a wet head can make her chilly. If she’s still a baldie, just clean her scalp with some baby wash. Either way, make sure to cover her eyes when you rinse off her head!

• After she’s clean, pat her dry and apply Baby Magic Gentle Baby Lotion to her skin to seal in moisture. For good measure (and for some cuddly fun), wrap her in a towel and give her a big hug to warm her up before you put on her clean diaper and clothes.

• Remember: never leave your baby alone in the tub. If you have to take care of something, wrap her in a towel and bring her with you.

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