Baby Care

• A baby’s bath temperature should be between 37-38°C so it’s not too hot or too cold for them. To make sure the water is at this temperature, check it with your elbow (the water won’t feel any colder or warmer than your elbow) or use a baby bath thermometer. 

• You should keep an eye on your baby’s temperature throughout bath time to ensure they aren’t too cold. Once they’re out of the bath, wrap them up in a soft towel and make sure you dry in between any skin creases or rolls to prevent moisture build up and irritation. 

Bathing your baby is a lovely way to bond with them, but the first few baths can be more daunting than exciting. 

You need your baby's bath temp to be just right, which can be challenging and cause you to worry more than you should. And during this time, all you want is reassurance that your baby is safe and comfortable. But it doesn’t have to be such a stressful experience.  

We're here to help you get ready for successful bathtimes for the foreseeable. Read on for advice on the ideal baby bath temperature and other helpful tips, giving you complete peace of mind. 

What temperature should a baby's bath be? 

For most babies and children, a bath temperature of around 37-38°C is ideal. 

A baby's skin is around 20-30% thinner than that of an adult, so as you can imagine, it's super sensitive to their environment.  

Because of this, it's essential that the temperature for your baby's bath isn't too hot or too cold. It needs to be just right. 

To reduce the risk of bath water being too hot, you can lower the temperature of your tap water to a maximum of 50°C on your boiler. As a general rule, never turn the tap on while the baby is in the bath as this can suddenly change the temperature and potentially cause burns. There's also a risk of them putting their hands or feet under the hot running water. 

It's also important to keep an eye on the overall room temperature because babies can become chilly quickly when they're wet. 

Safe baby bath temperature for premature babies 

The ideal baby bath temperature for a premature baby is similar to babies born on time. This is between 37-37.5°C. 

How should I keep my baby warm during and after bath time? 

While your baby is in the bath, it's important that they stay warm because a wet baby can get cold fast. 

You can make sure they're warm while in the bath by... 

• Making sure supplies and towels are ready before bath time. 
• Using a sink or baby tub instead of a large bath. 
• Closing windows and doors during bath time. 
• Using a portable heater to keep your bathroom warm. 
• Covering your baby's body parts that you're not washing with a warm muslin cloth or flannel. 

Once your baby is out of the bath... 

1. Immediately wrap them up in a fluffy towel with a hood to keep them warm. 
2. Pat them dry and pay extra attention to the creases in their skin. 
3. Give them lots of cuddles and reassurance. 
4. Massage their skin to soothe and relax them. 
5. Pop on a fresh nappy and some soft, cosy clothes. 

Don't worry if your baby doesn't seem to love bath time at first, this is completely normal. It might help to try different ways of bathing them at different times of day. It's just a case of finding out what works for you both. 

After a while, they'll get used to it, and it won't be long until they're playing and splashing away. 

How can I check baby bath water? 

Before you put your baby in the bath, always check the water temperature beforehand. 

You can do this by dipping your elbow into the water. Don't use your hand because it can cope with higher temperatures and isn't as sensitive. Mix the water well so there are no hot patches before you do this.  

Your baby's bath temperature should feel neither warmer nor cooler than your elbow. 

For extra reassurance and greater accuracy, you can use a baby bath thermometer to ensure the ideal temperature for your baby's bath every time. 

Bath water can cool down fast, so try to bathe your baby quickly while it's still at a comfortable temperature. If the water does cool too much before they're ready to get out, you can take your baby out of the water and keep them warmly wrapped up in a towel. Empty out the cooled water, top it back up to temperature and resume your baby's bath time. 

How much water should be in a baby's bath? 

When bathing your baby, there's no need to overfill the bath.  

Around 5cm or 2 inches of water should be plenty. 

If you do use more water, make sure that it doesn't come up above their shoulders and always keep their head clear of water. 

It's important that your baby is never left unattended in the bath, even if it's just for a moment. If you do need to leave the room, take your baby out of the bath, wrap them up in a cosy towel, and take them with you. 

When do you start bathing your baby daily? 

There’s no need to bathe your baby every day when they’re a newborn as this can dry out their skin. A few times a week is enough until they begin to become more mobile (usually between 6-12 months).  

Once they get to this age, daily baths are ideal for how active and messy they can become.  

When can you use bath products on a baby? 

It’s recommended that you don’t use any fragranced products on your baby’s skin when they’re a newborn. You can begin to introduce mild, fragrance-free bath products once they get to 4-6 weeks old, but try and keep the quantify to a minimum to protect their skin. 

Ensuring your baby’s bath temperature is just right essential for the safety and health of your child. For more advice, check out our other articles on baby care.