Parenting
Caring for Baby

Newborn Skin and Bathing

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Newborn Skin and Bathing

10 MINUTE READ

Published August 2024

AUTHORS

Melissa O’Neill, PhD PMH-C
Contributing Editor, Registered Nurse

Katie Sardone, PhD PMH-C
Head of Clinical, Licensed Psychologist & Perinatal Mental Health Specialist

Margaret Vadiee, PhD
Contributing Editor, Licensed Psychologist

How do I bathe my newborn is a very common and reasonable question! Your little one has sensitive skin and a developing immune system. This guide will walk you through how to safely bathe your baby and how to spot some common skin conditions.

Skin-related conditions for newborns

During the 3 to 12-week timeframe, there are a number of common skin-related developments, which are tied to adjusting hormone levels. These include:

  • Baby acne is common during this timeframe and will look like a red rash on your baby’s face and sometimes chest.  Not to worry, this will typically go away on its own by month two.

  • Tiny, hard white bumps called milia may appear on baby’s skin, most commonly on the face. These bumps are painless, harmless, and typically disappear in a few months.

  • Cradle cap is flaky skin on the scalp and sometimes the eyebrows and forehead.  Using a soft bristle brush, gently scrub your baby’s scalp when bathing to exfoliate. Don't worry this WILL go away, but we know it doesn’t always look great.

  • Diaper rashes will start to appear at this point, and they happen even if you do everything right! Keeping the skin dry is key. Support your baby with frequent diaper changes (after each feed and nap). Use scent-free water-based wipes, and make sure skin is completely dry before applying a thin emollient to protect the skin. Emollients help create a barrier between the skin and contents of the diaper.  For especially irritated skin using a thick barrier paste with zinc can help. If rash persists, becomes bloody, or your baby gets a fever check in with your pediatrician immediately.

  • Eczema appears as a weepy or scaly red rash in response to certain triggers. These itchy patches develop most commonly in babies with a family history of asthma, allergies, or atopic dermatitis. Treating the condition involves identifying the triggers, using gentle soaps and laundry detergents, and applying moisturizers. If your baby has more severe eczema, discuss treatment with your pediatrician to determine if prescription medication is necessary. 

Skin and bathing

Bathtime is a time for connection, exploring new sensations, play, and, of course, is an important part of our hygiene.  Knowing how to bathe your baby in an age-appropriate way is a question that a LOT of parents ask. This section will provide some clarity on how/when to bathe baby and also help you understand some of the other common skin related challenges in those first few months. 

Before we dive into the details, a few words on the skin/immune system relationship. Babies are born with zero immune system and only start to develop an immune system through what they are exposed to during birth and in the outside world. The epidermis (or skin) is the largest organ in the body. Keeping the skin clean is, of course, important but conversely over-exposure to water/soaps can strip the baby’s skin of good bacteria that are essential in the development of a strong immune system and gut health. Disruptions in the skin’s microbiome can lead to allergies, asthma, and autoimmune issues later in life. Finding the right balance of baths is part of your job as a parent to help your baby build a healthy immune system!

Below are a few tips and recommendations to help you find the right balance and also to address some of those skin-related problems that can creep up in the early days! 

3-12 weeks

  • Once your baby has lost their umbilical stump and plastibell (if circumcised), it is time for a submersion bath.

  • Putting your baby in water is a helpful and soothing part of the bedtime routine.

    Preparing the bath is an important part of a pleasant experience for your baby! At this age, your baby is too small to be placed directly in a standard size bathtub so using an infant tub (placed inside your bathtub) or a sink can be helpful. You should have your hands on your baby 100% of the time they are exposed to water. The water should be warm, about 98 degrees (comfortable on the inside of your wrist). If you are placing your baby in an infant bath, we suggest filling the infant tub to cover your baby only up to the waist and using a small cup or washcloth to slowly pour water over your baby’s arms and chest. You can use a mild, tear-free baby soap to help clean baby’s skin and hair.

  • We recommend offering a bath each night before bed, but limiting the use of soap to only 2-3 times per week. This is sufficient to keep your baby clean while still maintaining a healthy skin microbiome.

0-2 weeks

  • After a couple weeks, you may begin to notice rashes, flaky skin, and other irritated areas – this is completely normal so don’t panic! Bathing them during this time is not necessary. A warm sponge bath or wet washcloth is sufficient for now. Remember that your baby’s skin is incredibly sensitive so keeping the temperature warm (never hot) is best, at around 98 degrees.

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  • Just like the umbilical cord, we want to keep an eye on the circumcision site too.  If your baby has a plastibell, you should refrain from a submersion bath until it has fallen off.

  • Crusty eyes are also common with newborns.  With clean hands and a warm washcloth, you can wipe your baby’s eyes if needed.  But if the crustiness becomes worse, ask your pediatrician to take a look.

About the authors

Melissa O’Neill, BSN
As an RN specializing in NICU and Labor & Delivery for 15+ years, Melissa is also a mother of 3.

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Katie Sardone, PhD, PMH-C
Dr. Katie Sardone is a Licensed Psychologist and the founder of Behavioral Health Dallas, PLLC.

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Margaret Vadiee, PhD
Dr. Margaret Vadiee is a Licensed Psychologist and a former Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at Southern Methodist University in the Psychology Department.

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Resources our Experts Love

  • NIH Safe to Sleep Resources ↗

  • American Association of Pediatrics: Safe Sleep ↗

Nutritionists

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Adult mental health

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Couples mental health

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Infant & child mental health

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Sleep coaching

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Nutritionists • Adult mental health • Couples mental health • Infant & child mental health • Sleep coaching •

Below are a list of examples of when and how to get that support:

  • You will have frequent visits to your pediatrician at first to monitor the baby's health and weight. Use this time to ask questions that have come up regarding baby’s feeds, sleep, skin, fussiness, and whatever else pops up.

  • If your is under 2 months of age and has a fever over 100.4, call your pediatrician

  • If your baby is crying constantly for more than 2 hours straight without stopping call your pediatrician

  • If your baby is not eating well, lacks an interest in feeds, spitting up excessively and/or spit up is projectile or discolored, call your pediatrician.

  • If your baby has a persistent diaper rash that isn’t improving, call your pediatrician.

  • If your baby has a white tongue that cannot be scratched away with your clean finger, call your pediatrician to check your baby for thrush. 

  • If your baby has not had a dirty diaper in over three days or is having hard, pebble-like stools, stool is gray, black or blood tinged, call your pediatrician. 

  • If the umbilical stump or circumcision site is not healing well, has drainage and/or a bad smell, call your pediatrician. 

  • If your baby is turning blue around the mouth or lips, call 911.

  • Always trust your parental instinct. If you feel like something is wrong, reach out to your trusted medical professional asap.

  • If you find yourself feeling down, anxious, or not like yourself, reach out to a mental health professional for support.  You can also call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 833-852-6262 (available 24/7 in the US).

  • If you are in a moment of crisis, call 911 for emergency support and/or 988 for mental health support (available 24/7).

When to get
expert support

Sometimes you might need more support, and that's okay! Here are times you may consider reaching out to a specialist:

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