The First Bath with Twins

Last updated on December 2nd, 2023 at 10:59 am

I think the hardest thing for a new mom is actually falling asleep, knowing her baby is safe and sound. The first few nights home from the hospital I just sat and stared at my babies; touching them to make sure I could feel their chest rise. Just after sleep is the fear of washing an infant. They are so tiny and delicate. I am a rough mom. I just don’t have delicate hands but with bathing I found my gentle touch. They get so slippery and cold that I tread extra lightly when bathing an infant.

My List of Helpful Tips

1. Be Prepared

Have everything within an arm’s reach that you need during the bath and everything you will need after (remember this is times two!)

Towels with hoodies
Soft washcloths
Baby soap
Diaper
Lotion
Jammies
Little cup

2. Trickling Water

Keep the water trickling on the baby’s feet to help keep warm and calm. My girls all loved the feel of the water.

3. Use a Towel

If your infant tub isn’t lined then place a towel on it to make it softer. I found the Blooming Bath to be an amazing tub for infants. It’s gentle, cradles them and can fit in the sink so you don’t have to bend over a bathtub.

4. Be Strategic

A baby doesn’t get dirty, they just lay around. With that said there are areas that need a daily cleaning. Areas to be cleaned are private areas, in between leg and arm rolls, neck (lift their head and wipe away all the milk that has dripped in there; it gets rather stinky). If they have cradle cap then wash their head gently with a wash cloth.

5. Two Washcloths

I use two washcloths and a little cup for each baby. One washcloth was to wash with while the other was to help wipe soap away, as with the cup.

6. Use Your Hands

Always keep a hand on your baby. You will be so surprised at how slippery their skin can be.

7. Chamomile

When deciding on washes and lotions, I often use a soothing chamomile for the evening to help calm my girls and an unscented wash for daytime cleanings. Keep away from anything too heavily perfumed as baby skin can be very sensitive.

When your baby is a newborn a sponge bath is fine and all that is necessary. Typically it is normal to wait until the umbilical cord falls off before getting wet so either stick with a sponge bath or keep the water away from their mid-section.

While you are washing one, keep the other on standby in a bassinet or swing so the transition of one to the other is easy. As your babies get older bath time can be so fun and something to mix into their daily routine but for now an infant just needs a quick cleaning.

Kerry Bergeman is the founder and the mastermind behind New2Two.com peek at my life as a Mother of fraternal AND identical twins! Kerry is a full-time stay at home mother of six year old fraternal twin girls and one year old identical twin girls. She also teaches part-time at the local community college and runs Mommies of Multiples on Facebook (a group dedicated to helping moms of multiples with their daily questions and concerns). Her blog, New2Two is about life with twins, dealing with infertility, raising awareness for bully prevention and the challenges of having a daughter with a severe intolerance to dairy. What does she do on her time off? She is the Brand Ambassador of the Twingaroo twin carrier- the first and only ergonomic twin carrier that features a built in diaper bag (yes, that’s her on the box)! She sells Usborne Books to help encourage all to read! She’s bringing the book back one kid at a time!

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