For a newborn, bathing two to three times a week is generally sufficient to keep them clean. Daily baths are not necessary and may actually dry out their delicate skin. Instead, you can clean your baby’s face, neck, hands, and diaper area with a warm, damp washcloth on the days you don’t give a full bath. It is recommended to delay the first full bath until at least one to two weeks after birth, especially until the umbilical cord stump falls off. After that, bathing two to three times a week is enough, as newborns don’t sweat much or get very dirty since they are not yet mobile. If your baby enjoys baths, you can bathe them more frequently, even daily, but be mindful of skin dryness. Baths should be kept short, around 5 to 10 minutes, to avoid drying out the skin, especially if the baby has sensitive or dry skin. Use mild, non- irritating cleansers sparingly. In summary:
- Delay first full bath until cord stump falls off (about 1-2 weeks).
- Bathe newborn 2-3 times per week.
- Clean face, neck, and diaper area with a washcloth on other days.
- Keep baths short (5-10 minutes).
- Use mild cleansers and avoid over-bathing to protect skin.
This guidance is supported by multiple health sources including UT Southwestern Medical Center, Mayo Clinic, The Bump, and others
