It’s a good idea to wait at least 24 hours after they’re born to give your baby their first bath. Until those 24 hours have passed, you can use soft towels to gently wipe your little one’s skin if needed.
When you do go to bathe them for the first time, make it a sponge bath. Your newborn won’t be ready for a regular bath until their umbilical stump falls off in a week or two.
Sponge baths — or just wiping with a towel — gives your baby time to learn how to regulate their body temperature outside the womb.