A newborn baby shouldn’t be put into a tub until the umbilical cord area heals. Until then, the baby can be cleaned with a warm, wet washcloth. When the umbilical area is healed, you can start giving your baby baths in a small sink or basin. Here are some safety tips for baby’s first baths:

• Don’t ever leave your baby in the bath unsupervised. Make sure you have everything you need close at hand before you start the bath so you won’t be tempted turn away. Ignore the telephone and doorbell during the bath.

• Fill the tub, turn off the faucet and test the water temperature before putting your baby in the bath. Only a few inches of water are needed to bathe a baby.

• Support your baby’s neck and head with one hand during the bath. Keep your baby warm by pouring cupfuls of water on him throughout the bath.

• Take your baby out of the tub carefully. Use one hand to support her head and the other to support her bottom.

When you’re baby starts to sit up, it will be time to think about taking baths in the big bathtup.

A big milestone for baby and parents is moving from the baby tub to the bathtub. One day you’ll notice that baby is sitting up and getting too big for his tub. It may happen just when you start to feel really comfortable giving baby a bath and moving to the big bathtub can be intimidating.

Some parents bathe with the baby or put the baby into the bathtub with a sibling. This will definitely make the baby feel secure and it’s a great way for siblings to bond. Just remember that you can’t trust another child to watch a baby in the bathtub and you still need to be there at all times.

There are bath rings which provide more security for babies in tubs. The bath ring is a seat for the bathtub and will help your baby sit up in the bathtub. It will remove lots of the worry about baby hitting her head on the porcelain sides of the tub or on the faucet.

Don’t forget how much babies love bubbles when you move to the big tub. Not only do they provide plenty of entertainment, but they help get baby clean. Add a couple of floating toys and you’ll have a happy baby that loves bath time.