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When I was a new mom I remember being so nervous about giving my baby his first bath and thinking it was going to be this whole complicated thing with all kinds of gadgets but it really wasn’t and if you’re feeling the same way, I’m here to ease your worries!
I thought we needed a fancy inflatable baby tub or that seat with the waterfall feature and a temperature gauge- totally unnecessary! In fact, you really don’t need to spend much at all because most items you need can be found around your house but there are definitely items that can make the process easier and more enjoyable for you.
So without further ado, here are the items that you’ll need/want for bathing your new little babe!
What You Need
Bath Seat
From the get go, whether you’re giving your baby a bath in the sink or the tub, you’ll need a bath seat. Your baby can’t support their head or body at all so bathing them while holding them in a sitting position would be way too hard to be feasible. A bath seat is a lot safer for your baby and makes life much easier for you. The type we used for both of our kids up until they were six months old was the Angelcare Baby Bath Support. It can fit easily into the tub and even into sinks. The material that the baby lays against is very comfortable and the water is able to pass through to keep them warm which was a big deal to us.
Non Slip Bath Mat
Even though your baby won’t be sitting directly on the floor of the tub for a while, a nonslip mat is important for keeping the bath seat in place. They can get a bit grimy so it’s super helpful to have the kind that you can throw in the washer.
Washcloths
We like to lay a thick, larger washcloth on our daughter’s belly during the bath to keep her warm and we continually pour water on it to keep it from getting cold. We also use a thinner, smaller washcloth to clean certain areas like her ears and under her neck and find it useful to get into the small spots more easily.
Baby Shampoo/Soap
You’ll definitely need a shampoo or soap that is made for babies. It’s best to go with something that has minimal fragrance and chemicals. We have always used the Johnson Baby Shampoo for all bathing needs. The nurses used it when our son spent some time in the NICU when he was born so we grew to trust it and still use it for both kids.
Cradle Cap Brush
Babies are prone to getting cradle cap which is when their scalp develops rough, dry, scaly patches. An easy way to prevent this and also to get rid of it is to use a cradle cap brush. This is just a soft bristle brush that you use while wet and soapy on your baby’s head. You’ll want to gently scrub their head during each bath and keep it up for a few days to clear any patchy areas.
Fatigue Mats for Knees and Elbows
Leaning over the bathtub is very uncomfortable and can leave you a bit sore actually! Having a fatigue mat under your knees as well as under your forearms on the edge of the tub helps a lot.
Rinser
A rinser is just what it sounds like- something that rinses! You can use a cup but most rinsers have a handle for easier pouring and it’s much less likely to slip out of your hand when wet.
Baby Q-Tips
These are q-tips that are designed to stop before going too far into your baby’s ears so that you don’t hurt them and my mom has said she wishes these were available when I was a baby. Inevitably you’ll get a little ear wax out but I mostly use the q-tips to gently dry any water that may have gotten into my kids’ ears during their bath.
Hooded Towel
Lastly you’ll want an adorable hooded towel to wrap your little love in when you scoop them out of the bath and make sure you don’t pass up the opportunity to take as many photos as you can because this stage goes way too fast!
Is there anything you use that isn’t on this list that you think really makes a difference? Let me know!