My Baby’s First Bath — What I Used and Loved

When I was pregnant with Luna, I spent hours daydreaming about her first bath. It felt like one of those sweet, gentle milestones — a tiny rite of passage. But the closer we got to that day, the more nervous I became. Would she cry the whole time? Would I know what to do? Would I drop her? (This irrational fear haunted me for weeks.)

I remember reading countless blog posts and asking other moms how they managed it. Some said they loved it from the start — others admitted it was stressful and awkward. I wanted so badly for it to feel calm and beautiful, but I also knew I had to be realistic: babies are tiny, slippery, and they don’t care about your Pinterest mood board.

So here’s what really happened — and what helped.

Setting up our tiny bath space

We don’t have a huge bathroom, so I knew from the start I didn’t want a big, bulky baby bathtub. Instead, I chose a small, soft insert that fits perfectly into our kitchen sink. It made all the difference. I could stand comfortably, my back didn’t hurt, and I could keep eye contact with Luna the whole time.

I gathered everything beforehand — this is key. If there’s one rule for bathing a newborn, it’s never leave them unattended for even a second. So, I laid out:

• A soft hooded towel

• A gentle, fragrance-free baby wash

• A clean washcloth

• A soft baby brush (which I didn’t even use that first time!)

• A change of clothes and a fresh diaper, ready to go

I also turned the heat up a bit in our apartment to make sure she wouldn’t get cold the moment I lifted her out. It’s the little things that make it feel less stressful.

Testing the water (again and again)

I must have tested the water temperature fifteen times. Back of the wrist, inside of my elbow — I wanted it to feel like warm bathwater, not too hot, not too cold. I learned that the best temperature is about 37°C (98.6°F) — the same as body temperature. I didn’t use a fancy thermometer, just my wrist. Simple.

The moment we started

When I lowered Luna into the warm water for the first time, she looked so tiny and unsure. I half expected her to scream. But she didn’t — she just looked at me with those wide, dark eyes, her fists balled up under her chin. I kept pouring warm water over her chest with my hand to keep her cozy.

At that moment, I realized that all the fancy bath toys and gadgets weren’t necessary. It was just us, some warm water, and quiet words. I spoke to her the whole time, telling her she was safe, she was clean, she was loved. I think I needed to hear it too.

What I actually used

So many new parents feel like they need a whole store’s worth of bath supplies — but honestly, less is more. Here’s what I used and truly loved that first bath (and still do):

• A simple baby tub insert that fits in a sink or small tub.

• A natural, unscented baby wash, recommended by other moms who care about gentle skin care — especially when I asked for tips about baby care Charlotte NC style, since a friend there swore by local clean brands.

• One soft washcloth, not five.

• A plush hooded towel, big enough to wrap her up immediately so she stayed warm.

• My hands — the best tool for gently rinsing and comforting her.

I skipped the fancy bath thermometers, plastic toys, bath pillows, or giant tubs that take up space. Those might come later, but for a newborn, they’re not necessary.

After the bath: the snuggle ritual

When the bath was done, I lifted Luna onto her towel, wrapped her tight, and held her close. I still remember how warm she felt against my chest. She was calm, smelling like soft soap and milk. I sat on the bed, rocking her gently, whispering how brave she was. It became our little ritual — warm bath, soft snuggle, quiet lullaby.

Now, months later, bath time is one of our sweetest moments together. It’s rarely perfect. Sometimes she splashes so much we both end up soaked. Sometimes she decides she hates the water halfway through. But it’s our time — a gentle anchor in our day.

Tips I wish someone had told me

So, if you’re reading this and waiting for your own baby’s first bath, here’s what I’d whisper to you, mom to mom:

Prepare everything ahead of time. Once you start, you can’t leave — so have your towel, washcloth, clothes, diapers, and soap within arm’s reach.

Keep the room warm. Babies lose heat fast — especially newborns. A warm bathroom makes the whole experience cozier.

Stay calm. If you’re nervous, your baby might feel it too. Take deep breaths, speak gently. They just want to feel safe.

Less is more. A gentle wash, your hands, warm water — that’s it.

It’s okay if it’s awkward. The first bath doesn’t have to look like an Instagram post. It just has to be real.

What I’d do the same — and what I’d skip

If I could do it all over again, I’d do almost everything the same. I’d keep it simple. I’d skip the big baby bathtub that would have cluttered our bathroom. I’d avoid the perfumed soaps. I’d keep the moment just about us — warm water, soft words, baby skin.

I do think a good hooded towel is worth every penny. The soft ones really hold warmth, and babies feel extra secure when you wrap them tight and hold them close.

Why it still matters

This first bath taught me something I keep relearning as a mom: it’s not about the stuff. It’s about the feeling. When I shopped for baby care Charlotte NC moms recommended, the best things were always simple — safe, gentle, practical. The bath was no different.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about connection. That first bath was the first time I really felt it: how small she was, how much she trusted me, and how much I trusted myself — maybe for the first time ever.

If you want more

If you want to know what other gentle baby care products I truly loved — the real basics I’m adding little by little to my shop — come join my newsletter here: Subscribe. I promise, no spam. Just honest moments, gentle tools, and reminders that sometimes the smallest rituals matter most.