Baby Bath Essentials + Tips For Baby's First Bath At Home

This post has been sponsored by Cetaphil®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When I had my first baby (which almost 5 years ago – HOW?!), I still remember how scared I was to give her her first bath at home. She was SO little and seemed so fragile, I didn’t know where to start.

Thank goodness my mom was there to help show me how to make the process easier. Soon, bath time with my girl became my very favorite part of our day.

Now that I’m pregnant with my third baby, I feel a liiiiiitle bit like a seasoned pro when it comes to giving baby his first bath. Today I’m partnering with Cetaphil® Baby to share my favorite tips for helping baby’s first bath at home to be a good experience, for you and for babe. Luckily you can find everything you need at your local Target store so you’re always prepared.

BABY BATH ESSENTIALS

First, a gentle baby wash. Our go-to is Cetaphil® Baby Wash & Shampoo. I’ve used Cetaphil to help with my own sensitive skin, so I know I can count on it for my babe. It protects and nourishes her skin without drying it out. It blends calming organic calendula extract with 1/3 baby lotion to create a rich, lathering wash. And, it’s tear-free, which is a definite must. I picked mine up at Target. And guess what?? You can save $1 off any Cetaphil Baby product with this coupon on the Cartwheel app!

Second, the bathtub. Please, don’t spend a fortune on a baby bathtub. I splurged on a fancy one with a temperature display and everything, and it did nothing but stress me out when it would beep if the water was .1 degree too warm. This time, I chose a simple tub.

Next up, washcloths. I like to use a couple. I place one over her body to make sure babe stays warm during the bath. Then, one for cleaning her.

Finally, a hooded towel. A baby with a wet head is generally not a happy baby, so the hooded towel is key. And please, how cute are they in a hooded towel?? Beyond.

TIPS FOR BABY’S FIRST BATH

HAVE EVERYTHING READY + CLOSE BY. This might sound like a no-brainer, but as happens often in motherhood, the simple tasks sometimes slip our minds because those babes take up so much mental space. So, before baby’s first bath, make sure you have everything close by and ready to go. This is super important: you don’t want to leave baby’s side for even a second when she’s in the tub. So, it’s necessary to be prepared.

MAKE SURE THE ROOM + WATER IS WARM ENOUGH. Warm water might be a no-brainer, but you also want to make sure the room is warm. If you’re in a small bathroom, it might be good to close the door and warm up the room before you start the bath. Also, in the winter, a space-heater can come in handy. Don’t forget – that sweet babe was warm and snug in your body for so long, being naked in the outside world can be cold and scary. This is also where the multiple washcloths come in. Keep one washcloth on her body so she feels warmer.

WASH HER HAIR LAST. This way, she won’t be sitting there with a wet head while you wash the rest of her. And I promise you, she’ll be happier if her head isn’t cold and wet.

ENJOY IT. Bath time is one of my favorite ways to bond with my babe. Make it a soothing time for both of you. Sing a lullaby while you bathe her. Or, tell her a little story. Make eye contact. Play some soft music in the background. These are such special moments and before you know it, she’ll be in the big bathtub splashing and going wild.