5 Simple Steps for a Baby Bath Routine

Are you looking for a baby bath routine that will work well for you and your baby? If you are a first-time mom, this can be challenging and overwhelming. As a new mom it is hard to find a system that will work best for you. These are 5 simple steps that you will need to know.

This post is all about baby bath routine.

As a first-time mom, I did not have any structure or routine and it was hard when I was home alone without any help. As my little one got older, I finally figured out a bath routine that lowered my anxiety and made for a fun bath time with my baby girl because I finally had a bath routine. 

Baths are always best in the evening because warm water soothes the baby and is a perfect way to clean up messes after a long day of playtime.

As a busy mom, it is important to have a bath routine that makes your time most efficient. 

Here is an easy baby bath routine that will make it effortless for you to help transition your little one to bed. Plus, all of the things that you need to know as a first-time mom.

Baby Bath Routine

Step 1: Prep an area for after bath

You can prepare an after bath area by finding a place that you always go to after bath time. This might be in the bathroom, your little one’s room or your room. It will work out best if your after bath area is close to the bath.

You will want to include a changing station or a changing pad that is mobile so that you can move it to the bathroom or the floor in your baby’s room.

Using a changing pad with a cover makes for a nice warm and cozy spot to lay the baby down after their bath. It is perfect for all of your after bath activities such as rubbing lotion on your baby. 

Step 2: Get the diaper ready

Once the changing area is ready, fold out the diaper. This is the best way to avoid accidents after a bath. 

When the diaper is open, you can easily slip it under the baby and wrap it tight! Don’t forget to pull out the side ridges of the diaper around your baby’s bum to avoid accidents.

If your baby has a blowout and the edge of the diapers were not pulled out it can be a huge mess! 

This will help avoid the struggle of washing the baby’s clothes more frequently, wiping down any areas that were affected by the blow out, and even having to do another round of bath time. 

We learned this early on when we had a very bad experience with visiting my husband’s family in Arizona. So, Kyla was bathed in the evening before we went to bed and forgot to pull out the side edges of her diaper to make sure it covered her little bum.

My husband woke up because he felt something wet by his head, but he thought the baby might have just wet the bed. To our surprise she had a HUGE blowout, and it was ALL OVER where we were laying (what a nightmare)! It was all over the bed sheets, blankets, pillow cases, and our clothes. Let’s just say, this was not a fun morning to wake up to.

We learned early on about preventing blowouts, and checking the side ridges of the baby’s diaper that hug the bum so that we can avoid multiples baths and bad blowouts when possible 😉

Step 3: Start the bath water

After prepping everything, this is the perfect time to start the bath water so it stays warm long enough in the duration of the baby’s bath. 

If you want to be safe, you can use the back of your hand or your elbow to check the temperature of the water. I like to use the back of my hand when checking the water. It’s the easiest and most sensitive spot of my hand when checking the temperature of the water.

The water should be about lukewarm. Remember, that the baby feels the same temperature as you do.

Step 4: Grab the towel

Before I went without a bath routine, I alwaysss forgot the towel! I am not sure why because it’s the first thing a baby needs after a bath.

While the water is running, grab your towel and set it right next to you. Place it either on the counter or within arms reach. Before your baby gets out of the bath, close the door to keep the warmth in the bathroom. Once your baby is all washed up, you can set the towel on your shirt, turn their back towards you, and wrap them up in a towel. 

This is a great way to keep them warm. I’m sure most of us (if not all) have experienced stepping out of the shower or bath and felt the change of temperature in the room. This is the exact same experience the baby will have. Keeping the towel close by and ready will minimize them from being cold. Plus, this is just another way to snuggle up close with our littles.

Step 5: Changing area

After giving your baby a nice relaxing bath you’re going to want to hurry and put a diaper on your baby. The nice thing about this step is that steps one and two prepared you for this step! I guarantee it will make your life a lot more simpler:) 

If needed, you can apply aquaphor or desitin to your baby’s bottom before putting on a diaper. This will help prevent the baby getting any sort of rashes and burns on their little bum.

 The reason why you are going to want to hurry and put on the baby’s diaper is because anything can happen after you take your baby out of the water. 

There were a couple of times when I would try to get Kyla to the changing pad and she would have an accident either on the way there or even as I put her in a new diaper. Just remember accidents happen and it’s okay:) 

This is also the time to lotion baby from head to toe. I lather Kyla in lotion because she has eczema and will scratch her skin off if it is not soft.

After putting on the diaper, adding your creams and lotion, you can clean baby’s ears with Q-tips, brush their hair with the soft bristle brush, and brush their teeth.

To keep baby entertained, it will help to give them a small handheld toy. I usually brush Kyla’s teeth at the end so that she is only mad for those last few seconds. Then we get jammies on or she will sleep in a diaper.

Does your baby have sensitive skin?

If your baby has sensitive skin, this is the perfect time to use all of your special lotions and products on your baby. Kyla’s skin is very sensitive, and she breaks out easily in rashes. After trying a variety of products, I have found that HONEST lotion (sweet almond) works the best for her eczema.

When your baby’s skin is easily irritated, Aveeno’s soothing bath treatment helps relieve irritated skin due to rashes, eczema, insect bites, and etc. This treatment comes in a pack of eight, and is basically an oatmeal bath for your baby.

If your baby’s skin starts to break out, it will be beneficial to keep track of what products you use so that you can find the right lotions for your little one. 

baby bath organization

If you haven’t already, find a spot that you can keep your baby’s bath essentials for right after their bath. In Kylas nursery, we have organized her dresser so that we can grab her baby bath essentials within arms reach.

After her bath she lays on her changing pad, which is right next to her dresser. We put all over her things we need after bath in the bottom drawer of her dresser. 

Baby Bath Essentials

• diapers
• baby lotion
• soft bristle brush
• Q tips (cotton swabs)
• toothbrush
• toothpaste
• wipes/water wipes
• nasal syringe
• thermometer
• aquaphor or desitin 
• hydrocortisone
• oatmeal soothing bath treatment
• bath toys (mold free)
• hanging bath toy basket