Everything you need for your baby’s first bath

Being a new parent also means having a long list of new things to worry about — but giving your baby their first bath needn’t be one of them. As long as you’re prepared with the right gear, it can be a tear-free success and a memorable bonding experience for you both. 

To help you create a bath-time checklist, we consulted with parents to find out which products they loved and which ones they wished they’d had on hand at their baby’s first bath. From the best baby bathtubs to cozy clothes and blankets to wrap them in when you’re done, we’ve covered all the bases below. 

Baby bathtubs 

A good baby bathtub should at least prop up your infant and prevent them from slipping. But deluxe models, like this one, can do that and so much more. With a removable mesh sling for infants, it’s perfect for your baby’s first bath. But — thanks to its convertible design (which includes an insert to help them sit up when they’re old enough) — it works well for bigger babies and toddlers, too. It also includes two toys for your little one to play with. 

This three-position baby bathtub is suitable for newborns, infants and toddlers. The bump on the base helps you position your baby correctly and prevents slipping, so you can approach their first bath time with confidence. 

for anyone who doesn’t have the space for a dedicated baby bathtub or needs to take a baby tub on a trip, this is a seat that goes inside a regular tub. Babies are sure to love the soft fabric headrest. It reclines in three positions for their comfort and folds up flat when not in use. 

Baby towels

Made from organic cotton, these towels are super soft and gentle on newborn skin. The hoods are the perfect size — not too big or too deep. You get two in a pack with a range of designs to choose from.

This affordable hooded towel comes in a range of adorable designs, from elephants to bunnies to rainbows. It’s made from soft, absorbent cotton terry and is large enough to keep using past the infant days into toddlerhood. 

This hooded towel comes in 10 cute designs — primarily animal ones, turning your newborn into a cute lion or racoon. It’s made from a blend of cotton and bamboo-derived rayon, which is extra soft as well as durable. 

Baby washcloths

 You should never underestimate how many washcloths you’ll need for your baby — and this pack of 10 is a good place to start. They’re made from a cotton-poly blend that’s soft, durable and absorbent. Plus, the woodland-inspired designs are adorable. 

Made from organic cotton, these washcloths are perfect for parents who are picky about what touches their baby’s skin. You get 10 in a pack and each has a smoother side and a more absorbent side, which you can switch between as needed. 

Available in penguin and walrus designs, this washcloth fits over the hand like a puppet.  It might become a favorite of your infant, soothing potential bath-time tears. But it’s also practical — soft and absorbent. 

Nontoxic baby wash 

This gentle baby shampoo from French brand Mustela has a tear-free formula and is suitable for newborns. It contains 93% natural ingredients, and the brand has an ingredient safety policy, meaning it contains nothing you wouldn’t be comfortable using on your child’s skin. 

We love how gentle this body-wash-and-shampoo combo is on newborn skin. It contains several highly moisturizing ingredients, including shea butter and sunflower seed oil, which help prevent dry skin. 

Thanks to its fragrance-free formula, this is perfect for sensitive skin. It acts as a body wash and shampoo, which saves buying multiple products. Containing shea butter, calendula and aloe vera, it’s both hydrating and nourishing, so it won’t cause newborn skin to dry out. 

Kids organic bubble bath 

 Mixing in a few drops of gentle, nontoxic bubble bath can add a little fun to the experience. Tear-free and hypoallergenic, this is an excellent choice for babies. It comes in four fragrances — the lavender one is particularly good for pre-bed baths. It’s free from parabens, silicones, synthetic fragrances, sulfates, dyes and phthalates. 

 Made with a range of certified organic ingredients and a gentle, tear-free formula, this bubble bath is great for little ones. It’s fragrance-free, which is perfect for sensitive skin. It just takes a couple of squirts under running water to make thick bubbles.

 Made with 23 plant-based ingredients, this is a combination bubble bath and body wash, so you only need one product. It has a relaxing chamomile and lavender scent, making bath time a calm, pleasant experience.  

Rinsing cups 

This whale-shaped rinsing cup is perfect for the first hair wash. It directs the water effectively, with a soft rubber lip that fits against the forehead, so it won’t get in your baby’s eyes. 

Newborns will appreciate the flow control on this rinse cup. Use the rain side for your baby’s first bath to gently drizzle water over their head, rather than pour it. As your little one grows, pour from the other side for a waterfall effect. 

This set includes a rinse cup and a spout cover that protects little ones from bumps and bruises from a hard faucet. The cover is more useful for older babies and toddlers, but you can put the soft-edge rinse cup into action right away. 

Nail clippers

It’s good to get in the habit of clipping your baby’s nails when you bathe them. Trimming a baby’s nails can be daunting, though. Luckily, the peephole on these clippers lets you see where you’re clipping so you don’t go too far. A curved file is included so you can quickly smooth nail edges to help keep your little one from scratching themself. 

It’s not until you try to clip someone else’s nails that you realize how awkward it can be. However, not only is the ergonomic design on these clippers easy and comfortable to use, but it also helps prevent slips that could lead you to nicking your baby’s fingers. 

The built-in magnifying glass gets you a bigger, better view of your baby’s nails, so you can trim them precisely without cutting them uncomfortably short. A mini emery board is included for filing nails smooth. 

Electric toenail clippers

Quickly and easily filing nails, this electric trimmer is perfect for anyone who’s worried about using a manual one. It comes with various sanding heads — use the pink one for newborns. It’s whisper-quiet, so you can even trim your baby’s nails while they sleep. 

The slim grip of this nail buffer gives you better control than you get with chunkier, more unwieldy models. There’s an LED light built in to give you a better view of your little one’s nails while you get to work.

 You can adjust the rotation direction and speed of this model to give you better, more precise control. It comes with a range of grinding pads for different age ranges with spares included. We appreciate the LED light and how quiet it is. 

Baby moisturizers 

This fragrance-free daily moisture lotion is perfect for sensitive skin. It even contains colloidal oatmeal, which is known to soothe irritation. It’s nongreasy and absorbs quickly, so it’s perfect for applying after your baby’s first bath. 

We like that this lotion is particularly good at hydrating and protecting the skin, as it contains avocado perseose — a sugar found in avocados with a range of skin care benefits. It’s suitable for newborns and contains 97% natural ingredients, so you don’t have to worry about harsh irritants. 

 Safe for use on the face and body, this fragrance-free hydrating lotion with shea butter helps prevent dry skin, so it’s a good place to start after your baby’s first bath. Each application protects and moisturizes the skin for up to 48 hours.

Bath thermometers 

One thing many parents worry about is making their baby’s bath too hot, but that’s not a concern when you have a bath thermometer. This one quickly and accurately measures water temperature, but you can also use it for room temperature outside of bath time. 

This handy thermometer gives you an updated temperature reading every five seconds. There’s also an alarm to warn you when the temperature is too hot or too cold. Plus, you can use it as a room thermometer. 

The cute seal design is a big part of what makes this one of our favorites. It only takes a second to read the temperature, and there are lights to indicate when the water is too hot or too cold. Like our other picks, it works as a room thermometer. 

Bath toys

 Make your baby love bath time with these adorable floating toys. You get four in a pack, each with something different inside the floating bubble. They’re a great distraction for a first bath. 

This classic rubber ducky is a bath toy that’s remained popular through the ages. However, this version has a disk on the underside that can tell you when the bath water is too hot for your baby, so it doubles as a basic thermometer alternative. 

 While these are recommended for ages 6 months and up, it doesn’t hurt to prepare now for bathtime fun to come. These squirt toys spray water when squeezed and prove a hit well into the toddler years.

Bath kneelers for parents 

You’ll be so much more comfortable bathing your baby with your knees planted firmly on this dense foam. We appreciate the nonslip backing and the handles that make it easy to hang on a towel hook or similar. 

This pad saves not just your knees but your elbows, too. It’s adjustable so you can change things around to suit the height of your tub. There are even pockets to hold essentials that you might take off for bath time, like watches and rings. 

 In this set, you get a separate knee saver and elbow saver that you can use in tandem to make bath time more comfortable for you. The elbow saver has suction cups to fit it to the tub and has mesh pockets to hold items. 

Space heaters 

A space heater will keep your baby warm in a chilly room while getting them ready after bathing. This one is small but mighty and great for compact spaces. You can easily adjust the heat output to make the room comfortable. 

This oscillating fan heater is perfect for warming medium-sized rooms. It has a cool, child-safe exterior, which might become a selling point once your little one is older and mobile. It comes with a remote control and has a timer setting. 

 Its small footprint means it doesn’t take up much space, but it still does a good job of heating a room. It heats up quickly and has three settings to keep you and your baby at a comfortable temperature. 

Newborn diapers 

Your baby might get some diaper-free time in the tub, but you’ll need them ready and waiting for afterward. Gentle on a baby’s delicate skin, these Huggies diapers are leakproof and free from parabens, fragrances and more. They’re specially designed to protect against diaper rashes. 

You get up to 12 hours of leak protection with these diapers, which can help newborns sleep as long as possible without interruption. Made without fragrances, they’re great for sensitive skin and have a wetness indicator so you know when to change them. 

These plant-based, fragrance-free diapers are perfect for anyone worried about the environmental impact of disposables. They draw wetness away from the surface so they feel drier against your baby’s skin. The cutaway in the belly button area helps with umbilical cord healing. 

Newborn clothes

This cute sleep suit and cap is perfect for dressing your newborn in once they’re out of the bath and dry. It’s made from soft cotton that’s gentle on the skin. Choose from 14 adorable designs. 

We appreciate the full-length zipper on these onesies that makes dressing your baby quick and easy — not to mention the hassle-free diaper changes. They come as a pack of three with various design options. They’re made from soft, durable cotton. 

Made from organic cotton, these bodysuits are incredibly soft. They’re perfect for the warmer months or as a base layer under other outfits. You get five in a pack with a choice of long- or short-sleeve options. 

Baby blankets

Keep your baby warm after bath time with these cotton flannel blankets. You get seven in a pack, making them an excellent value choice. Each one in the pack is a different color or print with six combinations to pick from. 

These muslin swaddle blankets are breathable and great for warmer weather. They’re made from soft, light cotton muslin and large enough to use as stroller covers and for a range of other purposes. You get four in a pack. 

We love how soft and stretchy these organic cotton blankets are. They come in a pack of two — one solid-colored and the other with a cute bee design. They also work as burp cloths, nursing covers and more.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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