Baby Bath Tub: When You Need One and How to Bathe Your Baby Safely

A baby bath tub is one of the few bath items worth having, but you won’t need it in the first week or two. Newborns get sponge baths until the umbilical cord stump falls off, and even after that, bath time is less about the tub you buy and more about how you use it.

This guide follows the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP, through HealthyChildren.org) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). We don’t name brands or rank products: what matters is that a tub meets the current safety standard and that an adult’s hand stays on the baby.

Do you need a baby bath tub?

It’s helpful, not essential. The AAP says some parents find it easier to bathe a newborn in a bathinette, a plastic tub lined with a clean towel, or a sink. If you do buy a tub, the AAP passes on the CPSC’s recommendation: a hard plastic baby bathtub with a sloped, textured surface or a sling that keeps your baby from sliding.

A baby bath tub is a short list item on our newborn essentials checklist, next to soft washcloths, a towel and a mild soap.

Sponge baths first, until the cord falls off

HealthyChildren.org says to give only sponge baths until the stump of the umbilical cord falls off, which usually happens by about one or two weeks of age. The AAP’s cord care page says the stump should dry and fall off by 3 weeks; if it’s still there after that, your baby needs a doctor’s visit.

A sponge bath is like a regular bath, except your baby doesn’t go in the water. The AAP’s steps:

• Get everything ready first: a basin of water, a damp washcloth rinsed in soap-free water, a dry towel and anything else you need, all within reach.
• Use a flat, comfortable surface such as a changing table, bed, floor or counter next to the sink, padded with a blanket or towel. If your baby is above the floor, use a safety strap or keep one hand on them at all times.
• Wash the face first, without getting water in the eyes or mouth, then the rest of the body, and the diaper area last.
• Keep your baby warm by wrapping them in a dry towel and uncovering only the part you’re washing. Pay attention to the creases under the arms, behind the ears, around the neck and in the genital area.

Cord care is simple: the AAP says there’s no need for alcohol on the stump; just keep it clean and fold the diaper below it so urine doesn’t soak it.

The CPSC infant bath tub standard

Infant bath tubs made on or after October 2, 2017, must meet a mandatory federal safety standard (16 CFR Part 1234). The CPSC says it is illegal to sell tubs made on or after that date that don’t meet it, and advises parents to buy tubs manufactured on or after October 2, 2017. According to the CPSC, the rule:

• requires improved warning labels on drowning and fall hazards, and how to avoid them
• adds performance requirements that address tub breakage and broken locking mechanisms

The CPSC reported 31 infant deaths associated with infant bath tubs between 2004 and 2015. Thirty of them were drownings when a caregiver was not present. Its message is plain: baby bath tubs are bath aids, not babysitters.

Why to skip bath seats

Bath seats (and bath rings) hold a baby sitting upright in an adult tub. They have their own federal standard (16 CFR Part 1215), but the AAP still advises against them. HealthyChildren.org says they can easily tip over, and a child can fall or slip out into the water and drown in even a few inches of water. The AAP also says bath seats and rings will not prevent drowning if a child is left alone.

What to look for in a baby bath tub

A criteria checklist, based on the sources above:

• Made on or after October 2, 2017. Check the date on the label or packaging, especially for a secondhand tub.
• Hard plastic with a sloped, textured surface or a sling that keeps your baby from sliding (CPSC, via the AAP).
• Intact parts. The standard addresses breakage and locking mechanisms; don’t use a tub that is cracked or has a latch, hinge or fold that doesn’t lock.
• Warning labels present and readable, and the manufacturer’s instructions on hand.
• A setup where your supplies are within arm’s reach, so you never have to step away.

How to give a tub bath safely

Once the cord area has healed, you can try putting your baby in the water. The AAP says the first baths should be gentle and brief; if your baby protests, go back to sponge baths for a week or two, then try again.

Touch supervision, every second

Keep a hand on your baby at all times. The AAP notes that most child drownings inside the home happen in bathtubs, and more than half of bathtub deaths involve babies under 1 year old. Babies can drown in as little as 1 or 2 inches of water, silently and within seconds. If you forget something or need to answer the phone or door, take your baby with you, even if you’re using an infant tub. Don’t leave your baby in the care of another young child near water.

Water depth and temperature

• Fill the tub with 2 inches (about 5 cm) of water that feels warm, not hot, on the inside of your wrist or elbow.
• Set your water heater so the hottest water at the faucet is no more than 120°F (49°C). The AAP says hot tap water scalds are the top cause of burns in babies and young children.
• Never bathe your baby under running water or use a faucet sprayer; water temperature can change as it moves through the pipes. In a sink, turn the faucet off before your baby goes in.

Warmth and washing

Put your baby in the water right after undressing them, feet first, supporting the head with one hand. Keep most of their body and face well above the water and pour warm water over them often so they stay warm. Use soap sparingly, wash their hair two or three times a week with a mild shampoo or body wash, and wash from the top down. Afterward, wrap your baby in a towel, head included, pat dry, and the AAP says a small amount of fragrance-free, hypoallergenic moisturizing lotion can help prevent dry skin.

After the bath

Empty the tub right away. The AAP says never to leave water standing in the bathtub, and to empty any open container of water as soon as you’re done with it.

Bath time and breastfeeding

In the hospital, the first bath now often waits. HealthyChildren.org notes that the World Health Organization recommends delaying a baby’s first bath until 24 hours after birth (or at least 6 hours if a full day isn’t possible), and explains that an early bath can interrupt skin-to-skin contact and early breastfeeding. If you’re still finding your feet with latching, our guide on how to breastfeed covers the basics.

At home, we found no AAP guidance on timing baths around feeds. The AAP describes bathing as something that should be relaxing, so choose a time when you’re not rushed and your baby is content, and keep the bath short if they’re unhappy. Many families keep bath supplies close to the diaper caddy so everything is in one place.

When to call your pediatrician

Call your baby’s doctor if:

• the umbilical cord actively bleeds (a few drops of blood on the diaper around the time it falls off are normal), or you see signs of infection: foul-smelling yellowish discharge, red skin around the base of the cord, or crying when you touch the cord or the skin next to it
• the cord stump is still attached after 3 weeks
• your baby has a burn or scald from bath water
• you have questions about dry skin, rashes or eczema

If your baby is ever found under water or not breathing, call 911. The AAP and CPSC encourage every caregiver to learn infant CPR.

For more on caring for a newborn and feeding in the early weeks, visit our breastfeeding basics hub.