How to Bathe an Infant

Sep 11, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, bathing an infant requires adequate preparation before bathing, adjusting the water temperature and environment, properly supporting and placing the infant into the water, cleaning the body in the correct order, and promptly drying and keeping the infant warm. Standardized procedures can ensure the infant's safety and reduce discomfort. During routine bathing, each session should be limited to 5–10 minutes to avoid infant fatigue. The amount of water in the bathtub should be sufficient to cover the infant's waist, but should not be excessive.

Generally, when bathing an infant, it is important to adequately prepare beforehand, adjust the water and ambient temperatures, properly support and lower the baby into the water, clean the body in proper sequence, and promptly dry and keep the baby warm afterward. Following these standardized procedures can ensure the infant's safety and reduce discomfort. A detailed breakdown is as follows:

1. Preparation before the bath: Prepare in advance all necessary items, including a baby-specific bathtub, cotton towels, tear-free baby shampoo, clean clothes, diapers, and baby moisturizer, placing them near the bathtub for easy access. Choose a time when the baby is alert and in a good mood, ideally 1–2 hours after feeding, to avoid times when the baby is sleepy or hungry, thus preventing spitting up during the bath.

2. Adjust water and ambient temperatures: Use a thermometer to measure the bathwater temperature, keeping it between 37°C and 40°C. Alternatively, test the water temperature with the inner wrist—warm but not hot. Close bathroom doors and windows, and if the room temperature is low, preheat the room using a bathroom heater or warm air blower to maintain a room temperature of 26°C to 28°C, to prevent the baby from catching a chill.

3. Properly support and lower the baby into the water: Place one hand under the baby's armpits to support the head and neck, and use the other hand to support the buttocks and legs. Slowly lower the baby into the tub, allowing the feet to touch the water first to adjust, followed by gradually submerging the body. Keep your hands steady throughout to prevent the baby from slipping, and provide gentle reassurance by speaking softly.

4. Clean the body in proper sequence: Begin by washing the head, gently massaging a small amount of tear-free shampoo into the scalp and rinsing thoroughly with clean water, ensuring water does not enter the ears or eyes. Next, wash the torso and limbs, starting from the neck and proceeding to the chest, abdomen, back, arms, and legs, paying particular attention to cleaning skin folds. Finally, wash the buttocks, rinsing thoroughly after removing the diaper to prevent diaper rash.

5. Promptly dry and keep warm: Immediately after the bath, quickly lift the baby out of the tub and wrap him or her completely in a cotton towel, gently patting to absorb moisture, especially drying skin folds thoroughly. Dress the baby in clean clothes and put on a fresh diaper, then apply baby moisturizer. If the baby has longer hair, dry it with a towel, or if necessary, use a baby-safe hair dryer on a low-temperature, low-speed setting to prevent chilling.

In daily infant bathing, each session should be limited to 5–10 minutes to avoid infant fatigue. The water level in the bathtub should be sufficient to cover the waist, but not excessive, to ensure safe bathing.

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What is the optimal duration for bathing an infant?

Generally speaking, there is no standard recommendation for the "best duration for infant bathing." It is commonly advised to choose a time between two feedings, during the afternoon or evening. Bathing should be avoided right after feeding, before sleep, or when the baby is tired or fussy, to prevent discomfort. Bathing immediately after feeding should also be avoided, as the baby's stomach is full at this time, and bathing may cause spitting up or abdominal bloating.

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What is the best time of day to bathe an infant?

Generally speaking, there is no specific "best time of day for bathing an infant." An appropriate duration for bathing a baby is 5-10 minutes per day. The exact length should be adjusted according to the infant's age, physical condition, and environmental temperature, avoiding prolonged bathing that may cause fatigue or chilling. To ensure the infant's comfort, it is recommended to choose a time when the baby is in a good mood and alert.

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What are the benefits of bathing infants with honeysuckle?

Under normal circumstances, using honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) to prepare water for infant baths offers several benefits, including soothing skin redness, reducing skin itching, cleansing the skin surface, alleviating mild heat rash, and promoting skin health. Additionally, when bathing infants with honeysuckle water, it is important to filter out the residue after boiling and wait until the water temperature drops to 37-40°C before use.

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What are the benefits of bathing a baby?

Under normal circumstances, bathing infants not only serves as a way to clean their bodies, but also offers benefits such as promoting skin health, supporting physical development, improving sleep quality, enhancing parent-child interaction, and cultivating good habits. When bathing an infant, it is important to maintain the water temperature between 38-40°C and the ambient temperature between 26-28°C. The duration of the bath should not be too long, generally 5 to 10 minutes is sufficient.