How to Bathe your Baby

How to Bathe Your Baby Naturally with Gentle, Handmade Soap

Bathing your baby is one of the most beautiful bonding moments in those early months. But for many new parents, it can also feel a little overwhelming—especially when it comes to choosing the right products for such delicate skin.

As a UK midwife, I’ve helped thousands of families navigate those first few weeks with confidence. And as the founder of Madebyamidwife, I handcraft baby-friendly soaps that support and soothe your baby’s skin from day one—naturally and safely.

Here’s my guide to bathing your baby gently, using only what their skin truly needs.

🛁 When Can You Start Bathing Your Baby?

There’s no rush to start bathing your baby. In the early days, warm water alone is enough. Once your baby's umbilical cord has healed—usually around 7–10 days—you can begin gentle baths a few times a week.

Keep them short, warm, and calm—and always use products designed for delicate, developing skin.

🌿 Choosing the Right Soap for Your Baby’s Skin

Your baby’s skin is thinner and more absorbent than yours, so it’s important to choose gentle, natural products—free from sulphates, artificial fragrance, and harsh detergents.

At Madebyamidwife, all of our baby soaps are handmade in the UK using plant-based ingredients and midwife-approved formulas.

Suitable from Birth:

Natures Embrace - Unscented Baby Soap with Goats Milk, Oats & Honey –

This unscented soap is safe to use from birth. With nourishing goat’s milk, soothing colloidal oats, and gentle honey, it helps cleanse without drying or irritating newborn skin. Perfect for daily use—even on sensitive or eczema-prone skin.
👉 Natures Embrace - Unscented Baby Soap with Goats Milk, Oats & Honey

🌸 From 3 Months Onward: Scented Baby Soaps with Essential Oils

Once your baby reaches three months, you can safely introduce gentle essential oils. Our scented soaps offer soft natural fragrances and soothing properties, while staying kind to young skin.

💜 Lavender Lullaby Baby Soap

Lavender oil encourages relaxation and can help with winding down before bed.

🌼 Chamomile Calm Baby Soap

Perfect for soothing skin and calming your little one after a busy day.

🍊 Sweet Orange Glow Baby Soap

A cheerful, uplifting scent that adds a little sunshine to bath time.

🧼 How to Bathe Your Baby the Gentle Way

  1. Prepare everything you need—towel, soap, nappy, clean clothes.

  2. Use warm water (around 37°C) and a shallow baby bath.

  3. Lather the soap in your hands and gently smooth it onto baby’s skin.

  4. Rinse with clean water, avoiding the eyes and face.

  5. Pat dry with a soft towel—don’t rub, apply a moisturiser such as Baby Body Butter –

Keep things calm and cosy. Your baby will soon learn to love their bath.

🤱 Midwife-Made, Mum-Approved

Every bar of soap at Madebyamidwife is crafted by hand, using my experience as a practising UK midwife. I’ve seen how important gentle, natural care is—especially during those first few months. That’s why our baby range is:

  • 100% natural and handmade in the UK

  • Free from sulphates, parabens, and artificial fragrance

  • Palm oil-free, cruelty-free, and made in small batches

  • Safe for delicate skin, with options from birth or 3 months+

💛 Ready to Make Bath Time More Natural?

Explore our full baby soap collection at Madebyamidwife.com and feel confident in every bath time—because gentle, nurturing care begins with what touches your baby’s skin.