What time should you bathe your baby?

Bath time is an important moment for baby: it is a time for fun, relaxation and, of course, an essential hygiene routine. Did you know there is actually a best time to bathe your little one?

An important ritual

Bath time should be part of a routine, because children — and newborns in particular — need spatial and temporal reference points in order to feel safe and comfortable in their new home. That is why it is strongly recommended to bathe baby at a set time each day, so as to establish a reassuring routine.

Is there a best time for bath time?

There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to bath time — it depends first and foremost on you: your availability, your preferences, and of course your baby.

That said, we do recommend establishing the bath time ritual in the evening, and this is for several reasons: bath time is a soothing moment, the newborn is in an environment they already know, reminiscent of their mother's womb. It allows you to wash them whilst enjoying a lovely moment together. Getting out of the bath is also an important step, as this is when you can provide care, take the opportunity to give them a massage with a natural baby cosmetic, and speak to them gently to help prepare them for the night ahead.

The evening is therefore a suitable time to get your baby ready for bed.

Should you bathe baby every day?

A baby is not necessarily "dirty", and bathing them every single day is not recommended for their delicate little skin. If bath time is a playtime for you and your child, then you can bathe them daily by simply running a shallow amount of water in the tub, but only use soap every other day.

You should also take the weather into account: during very hot spells, you may want to bathe baby more frequently if they are sweating a lot, in order to cool them down.

Do remember that bath time should be a pleasure for both you and your child, so whether it happens in the morning or the evening, what matters most is enjoying the moment.

Below you will find a handy summary of the bath time essentials for baby.