7 Bath Safety Tips from a Real Mom for Bath Safety Month
January 10, 2025
Author: Regalo Baby
January is National Bath Safety Month, making it the perfect time to learn how to make bath time both safe and fun for your little one! Whether you’re a brand-new parent wondering how and when to bathe your newborn or you already consider yourself a pro at bathtime, safety should always be a top priority.
That’s why we’ve got you covered with our top bath safety tips for infants. Read on to find out how you can keep your child safe while soaking up those precious bathtime memories.
1. Wait to bathe your newborn.
In the past, many hospitals gave newborns their first bath shortly after birth. But experts now recommend waiting to bathe newborns for at least 24 hours when possible. (However, certain health conditions and cultural traditions may be an exception to this recommendation.)
Why the wait? It turns out that delayed bathing in newborns can promote more skin-to-skin time in those important first hours of life, help regulate their body temperature, and protect their delicate (and oh-so soft) skin.
After those first 24 hours, stick to sponge baths for a week or two until your baby’s umbilical cord stump falls off. This will help keep the area dry as it heals.
While that first sponge bath at home can be a bit nerve-wracking for new parents, the Regalo Baby Infant Bather makes it easy by giving your baby a comfortable, supportive place to lay. Just set it on a stable surface as you wash your little one from their head down to their tiny toes. When you’re done, the seat wipes clean and folds quickly for easy storage, so you can get right back to those newborn snuggles!
Infant Bather
Designed with a sturdy frame that keeps the bather secure, you can have confidence in your newborn’s safety and fully enjoy the experience of washing those tiny fingers and toes.
2. Get everything ready before bath time.
Although you might just hop in and out of the shower as quickly as you can (Welcome to parenthood!), your baby’s bath requires a bit more preparation. To make bathtime go as smoothly as possible, be sure to have everything on hand before getting your little one in the tub. This will help prevent any disruptions, reduce stress for you, and keep your little one comfortable.
Along with your baby tub or seat, here’s what you’ll want to have within arm’s reach for bathtime:
- A soft washcloth
- Gentle baby wash
- If giving a sponge bath, a basin of warm water
- A cup for rinsing
- A baby towel
You may also want to keep a fresh diaper and set of clothes nearby so you can get your baby warm and cozy right away after their bath.
3. Use warm — but not hot — water.
To keep your baby warm and comfortable in the bath, aim for a temperature of about 100 degrees Fahrenheit or slightly less. Babies can’t regulate their body temperature well, and water that’s too cool can cause them to lose body heat quickly. On the other hand, if the water is too hot, you could scald your baby’s delicate skin.
A bath thermometer is a great idea for getting your baby’s bath water to an ideal temperature. But if you don’t have one, you can also test the water with the inside of your wrist or elbow, which are more sensitive to temperature than your hands. Setting your home’s water heater no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit can also help prevent scalds.
Baby Basics® Infant Tub
Designed to make bath time easy, the Regalo® Baby Basics® Infant Tub is a simple and safe way to keep your baby comfortable during bath time.
4. Don’t overfill the tub.
Perhaps just as important as bath temperature for newborns, using the right amount of water is essential too. As any experienced parent knows, newborns can get very slippery in the tub, which means they could very easily end up underwater if it’s filled too high.
Experts recommend filling a baby’s bath with about 2 inches of water. You’ll find this is plenty of water to get them clean and rinsed off—and even for them to splash around with their little feet.
If you’re worried about your child getting cold, bump up your thermostat a couple of degrees before starting their bath. Additionally, setting a warm washcloth on your baby’s tummy as you wash them up can help maintain their body heat.
Remember: Infants can drown in even a small amount of water. Keep a close eye on your baby at all times and never leave your little one unattended in the tub!
5. Use an infant tub or sink for young babies.
Giving your little one their baths in an infant bathtub or the sink doesn’t just save your back—it makes it easier for you to keep them safe too. Reaching over the sides of a full-sized bathtub to wash a tiny newborn can be a bit tricky, and it’s important to keep one hand on them at all times. That’s why you can consider a quality baby bathtub a part of your bath safety toolkit.
The Regalo Baby Baby Basics® Grow with Me Baby Bath Tub is an excellent choice for your baby’s first year. This adjustable baby bath tub has three stages, with a removable padded air mesh sling to keep the littlest babies safe and comfortable during bath time. As your baby grows, the tub’s sturdy materials and smooth corners mean you can feel confident as they splash and play.
Baby Basics® Grow with Me Baby Bath Tub
From the newborn stage, all the way up to the first year of life, we have bath time safety and comfort covered.
Quality and safety are critical when choosing a bathtub for infants. Ensure your baby tub is safe for your little one by checking to see that it’s JPMA certified and meets ASTM safety standards. (Hint: Regalo Baby’s infant bath tubs check both of those boxes!)
6. Never leave your baby alone in the bath.
We can’t emphasize this one enough: A baby should never be left alone in any amount of water. It doesn’t matter what kind of baby gear you have, how quick you think you’ll be, or how shallow the water is.
So we’ll say it again one more time. Never leave your baby alone in the tub.
Maybe you forgot something for the bath, your phone keeps ringing, or someone is at the door, which is bound to happen on occasion. It can wait. And if it really can’t wait, then wrap your baby up in their towel and take them with you.
7. Prevent slips and falls.
If you’re a new parent, you might be surprised by just how slippery bath time (and your baby!) can be. But following a few simple safety precautions and including anti-slip materials with your bath safety accessories can go a long way in keeping your little one safe during bath time.
Try these tips for preventing falls in the bath:
- Use an anti-slip mat in the bathtub.
- Place a non-slip bath mat outside of the tub.
- Keep an extra towel handy for drying any water that’s splashed onto the floor.
- As your child becomes more mobile, ensure they remain seated during their bath.
- Lift your child out of the tub—don’t allow them to climb out on their own.
Once your baby is more mobile, keeping them seated in the bath can become a struggle. The Regalo Baby Baby Basics® Bath Seat is the perfect solution for keeping squirmy little ones seated and safe during bathtime! Designed for babies who can sit upright on their own, this baby bath seat easily and securely mounts to the inside of your tub, giving your little one a comfortable place to sit.
Baby Basics® Bath Seat
Designed to make bath time simple and safe, the Regalo Baby Basics® Bath Seat keeps your baby seated and comfortable through all wiggly stages.
Bathtime can be a special time for you and your baby to bond and a great way to soothe a fussy little one. By following these bath safety tips, your little one can have fun splashing and playing in the tub, and you can feel confident knowing they’re safe.