Do you have a new baby and aren’t sure what newborn bath essentials you need? This list will tell you the best baby bath products every first time parent should consider getting.
As a first time parent, bringing home a new baby comes with all the questions imaginable, including questions about bath time products. Parents definitely prefer to have everything they need before the day of baby’s first bath.
As a new mom myself, I am giving you the top newborn bath essentials that make baby baths way easier.
You are going to know about all the newborn bath essentials including baby bathtubs, baby soap, baby washcloths, and more. After learning about these baby bath products, giving your newborn a bath will be more enjoyable for both you and baby, whether you are just starting the day with a bath, or you are about to put your baby down for bed.
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This post is all about the best newborn bath essentials that every parent should consider getting.
*Quick note: Make sure you set out everything you need in order to bathe your baby BEFORE you put baby in the water. You never want to leave your baby unattended, especially around water! Next, think about what you need once the bath is over and set out those items as well. Again, do this BEFORE you start to bathe your baby. Items may include diaper rash cream, a new diaper, and a fresh change of clothes.
BEST NEWBORN BATH ESSENTIALS
1. Newborn Bath Soap
When it comes to newborn bath essentials, one of the first things you think about is newborn body wash and shampoo. These options above were made specifically for babies, and include both the body wash and shampoo in just one bottle. Makes things very easy!
When it comes to baby wash and baby shampoo, you want to find options that are gentle on their skin, tear free, and hypoallergenic. Johnson’s Head-to-Toe Wash and Shampoo is a great option and meets all of these requirements. It has a 5-star rating on Amazon and is very popular among parents.
The Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort Bath, also with a 5-star rating, is a more natural wash, with a vanilla and lavender scent. The lavender has a soothing effect on your baby and is advertised to calm them before bedtime.
I was given Aveeno Baby at my baby shower by a mom who swore it was the only wash that didn’t irritate her kid’s skin, however, I’ve used both of these on my baby and haven’t had any issues with either.
2. Newborn Brush
You might not think so at first since they have so little hair, but a brush is a must! This is on the list of newborn bath essentials because you want something that will help prevent cradle cap from developing on your baby’s head, and believe me, you don’t want your baby to get cradle cap!
This Newborn Scalp Scrubbie is sterilized in individual wrapping, with soft bristles on one side and a sponge on the other. I use this every time I bathe my baby! Not only is this baby brush gentle, but it also helps prevent and treat cradle cap.
The bristles can be used as a fingernail scrub, cleaning around those little fingers and toes. The only downside (or upside if you prefer to think that way), is that they are disposable and need to be replaced every so often to prevent germ build-up on the sponge.
If you want a baby brush that is long-lasting, the Frida Baby Skin Soother Bath Brush is the way to go! This bacteria-resistant silicone brush provides an enjoyable baby massage while also clearing up dry skin, eczema, and cradle cap.
It suctions to the side of the tub, allowing it to dry quickly and is easily accessible.
3. Newborn Washcloths
Like everything else in the newborn essentials list, you want to think the words soft and gentle. Baby skin is very sensitive and delicate, and the baby washcloth you use needs to cater to that aspect. The last thing you want is to rub your baby’s skin raw while simply trying to clean them!
This 5-star HipHop Panda Washcloth brand has raving reviews on Amazon for how soft the material is. These are mostly made out of bamboo, providing a thickness and absorbency that users love, and they come in a few different colors.
This pack of Cloud Island Knit Washcloths have such cute colors! One side of the cloth is very soft, while the other has a slight difference in texture in case you need a little extra help with cleaning off any grime.
I also like to use these washcloths to help keep my baby warm throughout the bath if he seems chilled. The water is never high enough to cover his entire body, so I will immerse a cloth in the warm water and place it over his tummy.
I will also cover his lower region with a washcloth in case he pees, that way the pee is strictly contained to the tub 😀
Oh, the joys of having a son 😛
4. Newborn Towel
Here are towel options to compliment your washcloths. Obviously a towel is a part of newborn bath essentials, and if you opt for a hooded one, it’ll help keep your baby’s head warm.
The first is, once again, from the HipHop Panda Towel brand with exceptionally soft fabric all around, similar to their washcloths previously recommended above. Thick material, super absorbent, and made from bamboo. There are many cute animals to choose from!
The Baby Hooded Bath Towels Cloud Island are thinner, yet still very absorbent, made from cotton and polyester. Like their washcloths, the side that wraps around baby is very soft while the outside has a slightly more rough feel (not enough to bother).
I did notice that the hood is knitted in a way that could easily snag, so you’d want to watch out for that, but the colors and overall vibe are extremely trendy!
5. Newborn Bathtub
Next on the list of newborn bath essential? A bathtub! Of course you can opt to hold your baby with one hand and wash with the other, but for first time parents, that might sound a little scary.
You definitely don’t want to accidentally drop your little one! Baths can be slippery and your baby is so tiny, so a tub can prevent this from happening and offer more support here.
This Fisher-Price Baby Bath is a four-in-one grow with me tub! You can remove the newborn sling as your baby grows into a toddler. It also fits in most kitchen sinks if you prefer to bathe your baby here instead of the bathroom tub.
6. Kneeling Mat and Elbow Pad
If you plan to bathe your baby in the kitchen sink, this doesn’t really apply to you. However, if you plan to bathe your baby in the bathroom tub, you might THINK this doesn’t apply to you.
But I assure you, it does!!! And once you use one of these, you don’t ever want to go back!
This newborn bath essentials is one that I did not think about until my sister recommended it to me. I didn’t realize how much I wanted it until I tried it! It makes it way more comfortable on your knees and elbows while leaning over the tub.
This Benicci Bath Kneeler Elbow Pad is a life saver, and I promise you, you don’t know how much you need one of these until you have one! From thick cushions to suction cups to keep it in place, this pad is appreciated by all parents and grandparents at bath time!
7. Newborn Lotion
Baby skin is naturally very soft, and honestly, a baby doesn’t necessarily need lotion often unless their skin looks dry/irritated. But when I do put lotion on my baby, both of these scents are perfection!
They smell soooo good and take care of my baby’s skin in the process. I apply it after bath time, which puts them on my list of newborn bath essentials. They also compliment the baby soap I mentioned earlier in this post.
The Aveeno Calming Comfort Baby Lotion has a lovely lavender and vanilla scent. This baby lotion will relax and comfort your baby and is perfect to place after the bath before bedtime. It is also free of parabens and phthalates, and is dermatologist and pediatrician recommended.
The Johnson’s Bedtime Lotion is mostly coconut oil along with calming aromas. Similar to Aveeno above, it also relaxes and comforts your baby, is free of parabens and phthalates, and is both dermatologist and pediatrician recommended.
8. Rinsing Cup
These items above are technically called stacking cups, but I included them on the list of newborn bath essentials because they are perfect to rinse the soap off of your baby’s head, but can also be used as toys once your baby gets older! Win, win!
These cups fit together and are stackable, and it is fun to watch your baby discover this, improving their hand and eye coordination.
Not only are they perfect for the tub, but kids can hide things underneath them, put things inside, knock them over, and some even play with them in the sand!
The First Years Stack N Count Cups are brightly colored with numbers on the bottom to help your baby with learning. There are also unique holes on the bottom of each one, like stars, circles, etc., to contribute towards water play.
The Mushie Stacking Cups Toy are similar to the other set, minus the numbers on the bottom. They still have their own set of shapes for water play and the colors are beautifully muted if you prefer less bright, which I personally love!
9. Water Thermometer
This last product is more optional if you feel like it is something you need. Sometimes it can be difficult to know whether the bath water is too hot or too cold.
If you are not comfortable with your ability to check the temperature using your wrist or elbow, then a bath thermometer should definitely be on your newborn bath essentials list!
Famidoc Baby Bath Thermometer is a great quality choice to solve this problem. Not only does it act as a bath thermometer, but you can also place it in your baby’s bedroom as a room thermometer.
It will flash blue if the water is too cold, or flash red if the water is too hot. It only shows the degrees in fahrenheit, so if you prefer celsius then you will need to find another option.
Remember, if the water is too hot, you can scald your baby’s skin, and if it’s too cold, your baby will be more susceptible to getting sick. A water thermometer offers parents peace of mind when putting their baby in the bath and is an awesome addition to the tub.
Now that bath time is over, be sure to put on diaper rash ointment, a new diaper, some cozy clothes, and cuddle your freshly cleaned baby!
This post was all about the best newborn bath essentials that every parent should consider getting in order to be as prepared as possible for baby’s first bath.
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