Whether you are looking to make bath time more fun or looking to fuel your child’s imagination, these are the  best baby bath toys of 2026.

Toys can serve a variety of different functions, especially during bath time; they can enhance sensory experience, develop motor skills, and promote social skills. The older your child gets, the quicker their needs change, and of course, a product that is the best toy for 6 months old is not always going to be the best toy for a 2 year old. 

Although toys are not necessary, as your child ages they can help with engagement and happiness during bath time. If your child does not enjoy bath time, finding the right toy could change that experience. 

You can use this time for learning and teaching a new skill - counting numbers or learning the alphabet or helping them learn a trade from a young age. We’ve got you covered from sensory play, encouraging imaginative play, or starting them off young with an immersive experience of baby's first rave with an underwater disco light.

Best baby bath toys

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 How often should you clean baby bath toys?

A lot of baby bath toys have holes in them to provide sensory stimulation by filling with water and allowing you to squirt it out, but these can lead to mould and bacterial growth due to residue being stuck inside. To ensure the cleanliness of all toys given to your child, you should clean bath toys at least once a week and completely dry them so no bacteria can grow or fester. According to Dettol's complete guide to cleaning baby toys  ”You should clean the bath toys as soon as the bath is over, as residual moisture can cause mould and bacteria to gather on the surface.”  

Are bath toys necessary? 

Toys can have a lot of beneficial factors but are not necessary. It is up to you as a parent to decide what is best for your child, however, bath toys can keep your child engaged and stimulated whilst you are washing them. 

What is the best time of day to bathe a baby? 

There is no set time to give your child a bath apart from whatever time of day works best for both of you. The NHS has helpful tips on washing and bathing your baby. Some parents like to work this into either their routine, whether that is morning or evening. Mayoclinic's baby bath basics discusses the benefits of working around your daily life and encourages a time when you don’t feel rushed. 

 Enjoyed this? For more, check out our guide to the best baby baths and the best baby bath products. 

Choose from one of our best baby baths and baby bathing could be that little bit easier - trust us, we've done the research

Whether you have one of our best baby baths, or not, we know that bathing your baby for the first time can be a little daunting. Collecting helpful bath products for your baby can help, but really it's just because they’re so tiny, and slippery when wet. If it helps, a newborn bath needn’t be more than 10 minutes long. And, the NHS say that you don't need to bathe your baby every day. On the flip side, if they really enjoy it, there's no reason why you shouldn't.

NHS also suggests avoiding a bath after a feed or when your baby is hungry or tired, and beforehand, make sure the room you're bathing them in is warm and that you have all baby bath products within arms reach. Other than that here are a few other things to bear in mind when looking for a baby bathtub;

What to look for in a baby bath

• Non-skid surfaces - on the bottom, inside and out
• Support - needed for baby’s head and shoulders
• Round edges - to keep baby safe
• Room to grow — because newborns grow fast
• Portability - is it easy to move to another house/room
• Easy to drain - minimise lifting a heavy water-filled tub to pour out and empty
• Quick-to-dry tubs - The quickest-drying options tend to be plastic, and may come with hooks so you can store easily
• Space saving -  If you don’t have the space forget the classic plastic baby tub, consider a fold-able one

While many families may love bathing together, if it's not for you then take a look through our baby baths - they can make it a bit easier. Leaving hands free for washing during the first six months. Once they can sit up unassisted, you can use the family bath, with a bath seat or non-slip mat.

1. Shnuggle Baby Bath with Plug White with Grey backrest

Best for bum bump support

Age suitability: Birth to 12 months+

Created by parents, this stylish deep ‘bucket-style’ bath can be used as a standalone or in the bath or in a shower tray. Lasting from birth to 12 months it makes washing your little one a breeze. The foam backrest makes it warm and comfortable for younger babies, while the bump on the bottom makes it easier for older babies to sit without sliding down. 

This award-winning bath has over 2,500 reviews on Amazon with 4.8 out of 5 stars. 

One reviewer rates it 5 stars and says; “So glad we bought this for baby’s bath time. The bum section supports the baby well so you can hold the top end and have a free hand to swish the water. The plug is handy. We just put the whole thing in the bath then unplugged when done. It has a fill line so you know where to fill to which as first time parents is also very useful.”

VIEW AT AMAZON | £19.99

2. Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Sling n Seat Tub

Best for c-section births

Age suitability: Birth to 12 months

A brand that’s stretched across generations, this Fisher Price is one of the best baby baths and has four clever ways to use as your baby grows from newborn to toddler. The fact you can use it in the kitchen sink from newborn is great for any c-section mums, as bending down can be painful.

The soft mesh sling cradles newborns, and the insert helps prevent your baby from slipping and sliding in the water. As your baby’s confidence in sitting up grows so too does the bath tub with sit-me-up support. It’s also super handy that it fits most sinks and features an easy-drain plug and a hook for drying and storing.

Mum-of-four, Gem says; “With three other children it’s so handy being able to bathe my baby in the kitchen. I’ve used this for all my children, and it’s brilliant from birth with a clever seat that clips in when your baby is learning to sit. Would highly recommend it.”

VIEW AT AMAZON | £40.99

3. Stokke Flexi Bath Baby Bath

Best for space-saving

Age suitability: Birth to 24 months

This falls into our best baby baths category down to its clever space-saving design. The fact it folds so neatly makes it easy to store, great if you don’t have a huge bathroom and also handy if you’re travelling. The bath also has a non-slip base and heat-sensitive drain plug which works by turning colours, when the water gets warm giving parents a visual cue, letting them know that the water temperature needs to be checked.

Please remember that the plug is not a thermometer. And the use of a bath thermometer and the classic elbow test are still recommended. 

Mum-of-two, Josie says; “We have a few Stokke items and thought nothing about buying this, and i wasn’t disappointed. I only have a shower at the moment and this fits perfectly in the shower tray at the bottom. And it folds away neatly - definitely recommend.”

VIEW AT JOHN LEWIS | £42

4. OKBaby Onda 3-in-1 Multi-Stage Baby Bath

Best for stability

Age suitability: Birth to 12 months

With over 1400 reviews this baby bath has a clear 4.6 out of 5 star rating and is in the top ten best sellers list. Spacious with two moulded seating positions and an anti-slip rubber backrest. It also has an easy-to-read water thermometer and a maximum water level indicator. Though, please remember that the plug is not a thermometer. And the use of a bath thermometer and the classic elbow test are still recommended. 

One Amazon reviewer gave it 5 stars and says; "My little girl loved this bath from first use. It's a great size with plenty of space as they grow. The seat is great and keeps baby nice and stable and the bath holds plenty of water. Easy to put the plug in and out and easy and lightweight to clean. The temperature reader on the side is great so know every time it's at the perfect temperature for baby."

VIEW AT AMAZON | £28.50

5. GoBuyer Ltd Baby Bath Tub

Best for travelling

Age suitability: Birth to 5 years

As best baby baths go this lightweight - 2kg, so the same as two bags of standard sugar - is a retractable design making it super easy to store and carry around if you’re a family who loves to travel. It also has non-slip legs to give the bath stability and stop it sliding around. This clever space-saving design makes it easy to store, great if you don’t have a huge bathroom and also handy if you’re travelling. 

Dad-of-three, Marc says; “Our youngest stays at the grandparents regularly and they only have a shower so we bought this to sit in the shower tray. It’s easy to open and fold up, and it takes up no space for them. It was a great buy!”

VIEW AT AMAZON | £50.99

6. Skip Hop Moby Smart Sling 3-Stage Tub

Best to grow with baby

Age suitability: Birth to 2 years+ 

As best baby baths go, anything that you can buy once and have it see you through a good few years is worth it in the land of baby bath products. And this bathtub grows with your child up to 6 months.

With over 200 reviews on johnlewis.com it's easy to see who this is a favourite. With one reviewer saying: “this tub is absolutely adorable! I think it's a great size in comparison to other tubs I've seen/used, and it could definitely be used for a great length of time. Sling was super easy to attach to the tub- very self explanatory. I also like that the tub has a hook on the back that can be used to hang the tub to dry!”

This bathtub comes with a mesh sling to cradle your newborn, this can be removed once they get a little older. You are then left with a cushioned seat that supports babies learning to sit. Then, once they are sitting unaided you can remove the seat to reveal a spacious bath for your baby to have a good old splash around in.

With a handy drain plug and a swivel hook for hanging on the shower head or towel rack, the Skip Hop Moby Smart Sling 3-Stage Tub really is a smart solution.

VIEW AT JOHN LEWIS | £45

7. John Lewis & Partners Deluxe Bath Baby Bath

Best for value

Age suitability: Birth to 5 years

Fuss-free and one of the best baby baths out there. Lightweight and easy to carry around. It has a drain plug for easy emptying, John Lewis Anyday get it right and at a competitive price.

Reasonably priced, this little white bath, does what it says on the tin. Suitable from birth, it’s a secure place to wash your baby, and there’s even a ledge to keep your sponge and carry handles to make it easy to move around from room to room. 

Dad-of-two, Lee says; “Considering how fast babies grow I just needed a sturdy basic baby bath. This one ticks all the boxes and the drainage plug is really practical. ”

VIEW AT JOHN LEWIS | £10

8. Munchkin White Hot Inflatable Duck Tub

Best for fun in the tub

Age suitability: 6 months to 2 years

An inflatable rubber duck bath. If that doesn’t make bath time fun we’re not sure what will. The great thing about this is it deflates and is easy to fold up and pack away - perfect for travelling. 

The textured surface helps prevent slipping and a contoured headrest makes washing hair easy and it has a drain, to make emptying a breeze. And the white-hot safety disc tells you when the water’s too hot. Though, please remember that this is not a thermometer. And the use of a bath thermometer and the classic elbow test are still recommended.  With over 3,000 reviews, this inflatable duck has 4.6 stars out of 5 and has an Amazon choice’ recommendation.  Many buyers were impressed with the quality and size. 

Mum-of-one, Victoria says; “Best purchase I’ve ever had for my baby amongst other things. And, it’s quite sturdy once it’s inflated. It’s also big, covers over a quarter of adult size bath tub. I feel it's safe and cute. My one year old daughter loves it, she’s been obsessed with ducks. "

VIEW AT AMAZON | £11.68

9. Aqua Scale baby bath and scales

Best for newborns

Age suitability: Birth to 4 years 

Scales and a thermometer, double winner. In those first few months of newborn stages knowing your baby's weight at any given moment is the parenting Holy Grail. Any parent will tell you a baby’s weight is constantly needed. At every Health Visitor appointment, Drs appointment, checking the car seat is in the right position, if they’re gaining weight with breastfeeding etc. And this clever bath weighs your baby in the tub - with or without water and it’s precise, plus it has a built-in thermometer to let you know the bath water is ready. 

Though, we recommend always double-checking the water temperature with your hand to ensure that it’s right for your baby's comfort and safety. If you are in any doubt, use a reliable thermometer for accuracy.

One reviewer rates it 4 stars and says; “We bought this as one of our babies was having reflux issues and we wanted to monitor his weight more closely between midwife visits. We found the scales were very accurate and always within an ounce of the midwife’s.”

VIEW AT AMAZON | £70

10. ClevaBath Baby Sink Bath

Best for safe sink baths

Age suitability: Birth to 24 months

As best baby baths go, this is made from soft flexible silicone this is not a regular baby bath, it’s cleverly designed like a collapsible concertina style, with extendable arms to fit over a standard sink. And there's an adjustable baby bump to help prop your little one up, and it collapses down for super easy storage. 

Mum-of-one, Kailla says; “My favourite thing about this, was no bending or sore knees . I used this in our kitchen sink and it was a perfect height for me. And, the tub collapses nice and flat which makes it ideal to take with you when staying at relatives, or if you are short on storage. When expanded, it fits nicely in the sink and works well using the sink's own walls to hold the water.”

VIEW AT AMAZON | £31.99

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Having the best bath products for your baby to hand for bath time could make the whole process a lot smoother.

Whether you’re a bath-them-every-night kind of parent or only on Sundays, each to their own. But all parents know bath time can go one of two ways; a joyous occasion or a bit of a battle. Either way, we’ve found the best bath products for baby to help make your job as chief bather, a little - dare we say - easier… First, regardless of seats, inserts or mini bathtubs, a baby or toddler should never be left unattended in the bath. Not even if for a minute not even in shallow water, according to NCT. Ensure safe habits and always keep bath supplies within arm's reach.

Also, when it comes to skincare for newborns, the NHS advises not to use anything apart from cotton wipes and clean water to wash your baby, as soap and other products are harsher on a new baby’s skin, which is thinner than an adults’ is. 

Consumer Editor at Goodto.com, Heidi Scrimgeour says; "Parenting is a pricey business, so we want you to buy right first time. And, if there's a product that can  adapt with your child as they grow then that's always a game-changer too."  Here’s our round-up of the 12 helpful buys;

1. Dreambaby digital room & bath 2-in-1 duck thermometer

The ideal temperature for a baby’s bath is around 36-38 degrees celsius which is around body temperature. The water should feel neither hot nor cold. Start with cold water in the bath first, then add hot water and mix well to ensure there aren’t any hot spots.

Running your baby’s bath those first few times can be terrifying… “is it too hot, too cold? They can’t tell me, how will I know.” And while every seasoned mum may say ‘always use your elbow to tell’ sometimes we’re still not sure and feel more comfortable with the extra assurance of technology. 

With a reading available in 10 seconds this thermometer - with its great digital display - is easy to read, and doubles as a bath toy. You can use it out of the bath to measure room temperature too. This bath thermometer has been tested to Toy Standard: EN71 and has an auto shut off feature after 30 minutes to retain battery life, so you don’t even have to remember to switch it off.

VIEW AT JOJOMAMANBEBE | £9.99

2. Skip Hop Moby Smart Sling 3-Stage Tub

Age suitability: Birth to 2 years+ 

As best bath products for baby go, this is a great buy. Anything that you can buy once and have it through a good few years is worth it in the land of baby bath products. And this bathtub grows with your child through three stages;Stage 1: Newborn (0-3 months; up to 5.5 kgs)Stage 2: Infant (3-6 months; up to 7.5 kgs)Stage 3: Sitters (6+ months; up to 9.5 kgs)

This bathtub comes with a mesh sling to cradle your newborn, this can be removed once they get a little older. You are then left with a cushioned seat that supports babies learning to sit. Then, once they are sitting unaided you can remove the seat to reveal a spacious bath for your baby to have a good old splash around in.

It also comes with an easy drain plug and swivel hook for hanging on the showerhead or towel rack to dry, the Skip Hop Moby Smart Sling 3-Stage Tub really is a smart solution.

And, with over 200 reviews on John Lewis online, it's easy to see why this is a favourite. With one reviewer saying: “this tub is absolutely adorable! I think it's a great size in comparison to other tubs I've seen/used, and it could definitely be used for a great length of time. Sling was super easy to attach to the tub- very self-explanatory. I also like that the tub has a hook on the back that can be used to hang the tub to dry!”

VIEW AT JOHN LEWIS | £45

3. Safety 1st 360 ° rotatable bath seat

Age suitability: 6 months to 1 year

Before using any suction cup bath seat, always ensure that your bathtub is clean from any soap residue that may cause the cups to lose suction. 

This baby bath seat has over 17,000 reviews, and is an ‘Amazon Choice’ with 4.6 out of 5 stars. With four suction cups for extra safety and a rotating seat to keep your child engaged in bathtime as they grow. 

One buyer says; “This bath seat is brilliant. My daughter is 6 months and has only just started sitting up. She holds herself well in the seat and the bottom has got a rougher surface to help with the slipping. She does slightly slip but more because she kicks her legs around all the time. The seat sticks extremely well to the bath and doesn’t move unless you really force it. There is plenty of room for her to grow in it and I would definitely say this will do her until she is old enough to sit in the bath herself. It’s so easy to clean and maintain.

VIEW AT AMAZON | £15

4. Baby Bath Kneeler with Elbow Rest Pad Set

A waterproof, detachable and foldable bath kneeler complete with elbow rest and pockets. 

Bath time can really take its toll on tired limbs and if you, or your baby’s carers have bad knees or a delicate back this can make all the difference. 

Mum-of-two Jo says; “I know it’s not the prettiest. But I’d tried two well-known brands before finally deciding to try this. The cushion padding is so thick and comfortable and I don't find half my shin hanging off when I'm on it. I can’t do bath time without it.”

Another Amazon agrees, rating it 5 stars saying; “10/10. It's very comfortable to kneel on to do bath time and lean your elbows on as well.”

VIEW AT AMAZON |£27.99

5. Boon Ripple Bath Mat Blue

Age suitability: 6 months to 2 years+

A perfect subtle bath mat that comes with drainage holes and covers a large portion of the bath with a super soft texture for your little one to sit on. 

Mum of three, Dejun tells us; “This was the third bath mat I bought after two rubbish ones. My biggest tick was that this one comes with a hook built in so when bath time is over I can drip dry it from my shower over the bath. It’s so simple yet so few mats have this!”

While it’s not machine washable mums who have this told us they give it a wipe down while its hanging off the shower. Easy enough to do with no fuss. 

VIEW AT AMAZON | £14.99

6.  Elli and Raff Baby Hooded Bath Time Towel 100% Cotton

Age suitability: Birth to 2 years 

With over 2,500 ratings on Amazon - and ranking number 3 on the ‘most wished for’ list -  it’s easy to see why these machine washable hooded towels are a number one bestseller. Plus coming in a pair is great as having more than one is ideal so if there are any accidents with the nappy off you have one spare while the other is in the wash.

One reviewer gave four stars, saying: “Really soft towels and I like they are thick. Perfect for a newborn as can swaddle him in it. And the good thing is, it’s the right size when wrapped up so it doesn’t cover his face.”

VIEW AT AMAZON | £7.75 

7. John Lewis & Partners Baby Dino Towelling Mitt

Age suitability: 6 months to 2 years+

As best bath products for baby go, this is super simple and super cute 100% cotton bath mitt is a must. Many may use it to gently wash their baby in the bath but mum Louisa has other ideas. 

Here mum-of-one Louisa shares how she uses it; “My daughter has a LOT of hair. I found a towel would be too much, too heavy on her head and a flannel was not enough and would constantly slip away from me. I bought this bath mitt and it’s great for drying her hair. It stays on my hand and is super soft.”

VIEW AT JOHN LEWIS | £4.25

8. Childs Farm Strawberry & Organic Mint Kids Shampoo

Age suitability: 6 months+A hugely popular choice among parents. These products are dermatologist and paediatrician tested and approved as suitable for skin that may be prone to eczema. Childs Farm did a survey among parents with children who have been medically diagnosed eczema, and 97 percent of the parents involved said these products did not cause irritation to their child’s skin. 

One reviewer on Amazon left 5 stars, saying: “Love the smell of this. I use it on myself as well as my kids as I have sensitive skin and cleans well. It is convenient to have a minimal number of toiletries in our bathroom as we are a family of 6. I would recommend this product, especially to those who have sensitive skin.”

VIEW AT AMAZON | £6.30

9. AVEENO Baby Daily Care Moisturising Lotion

Age suitability: newborn+As best bath products for your baby go Aveeno is another big hit with parents, it's light and absorbs super fast. It's all natural oat-based ingredients means it's usually a safe bet with eczema prone skin. Plus, it's scent-free so you still get that delicious newborn smell for a little longer. 

Dad-of-four, Lee says: “This is our go-to brand for moisturiser in our house as we all have such sensitive skin. Though, if you're on the trailing creams I'd buy travel sizes like this one first. It's best to check if your baby reacts to them before you end up stuck with a huge tube that you can't use. Also, when you do find one get it with a pump action it's way easier than faffing with click lids.”

VIEW AT BOOTS | £2.99

10. Bath Spout Cover for Bathtub

Age suitability: 6 months+As best bath products for baby go this bath spout cover is an essential bath time safety item. It's cute and it helps prevent head bumps and scratches, and can put parents' minds’ at ease. PVC Free and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. Can also hang by its tail on a towel rack to dry. 

One reviewer on Amazon left 5 stars, saying: “My 2-year-old prefers to play in the water faucet instead of taking a bath, which is fine except when she would smack her head on it. I chose this because of the price and positive reviews. It was easy to install and adjustable but she was not able to remove it. My daughter likes it and she understands it prevents ‘owies’.”

VIEW AT AMAZON | £28.46

11. Munchkin Super Scoop Bath Toy Organiser

Age suitability: 6 months to 2 years+

This hanging bath storage has a push and lock suction cup which means you can hang it on tiles above your bath, and the mesh fabric allows airflow to reduce mildew on your little one’s toys as they dry. And the handle and wide mouth make it super easy to scoop up toys post-bath. 

Here mum-of-one Chelle says; “I find the ability to mindlessly wade this through the bath to scoop the toys up then hand over the bath a dream. No more bending down for ages picking toys up as the bath drains. And, as my kid got older he did it for me, it was a race to do it before the water drained. The only drawback is, it’s quite small and doesn’t hold many toys… or maybe we have too many.”

VIEW AT AMAZON | £13.99

12. Green Toys Submarine in Yellow & Blue

Age suitability: 6 months to 6 years

Made from 100% recycled plastic and PVA safe, the handle helps to improve pincer grip and the pouring motion encourages water play and is an easy contender for best toys for a one-year-old. This submarine is a great buy. And with over 5,300 reviews earning it an impressive 4.8 out of 4 stars on Amazon it’s easy to see why. And the submarine snaps apart (easily for an adult) for cleaning. Though, you don’t have to hand wash this one… 

Mum of three, Jas tells us; “We bought this a year ago and it wasn’t until recently I realised it can go in the dishwasher… that was a game changer let me tell you - I clearly never read the small print as ‘dishwasher safe’ is on there. It’s USP and should be shouted about! It made it my new favourite toy!”

VIEW AT AMAZON | £13.99

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Delayed bathing could be beneficial to your child in more ways than one - but should you do it?

Newborn babies are usually washed in hospital soon after birth, but there's a few reasons why you may want to wait before giving your little one a bath.

Bathing babies shortly after they are born began when births were moved from homes to hospitals. The assumption was that the vernix — the waxy, white substance coating newborns’ skin — needed to be removed, so babies were given sponge baths one to two hours after birth, creating an extended period of time where mother and newborn were separated.

Nowadays however, many hospitals recommend waiting six to 12 hours after birth before giving your newborn a wash. In fact, the World Health Organization has even advised that newborn baths should be delayed to after 24 hours after delivery.

Benefits of delayed bathing

Speaking to GoodtoKnow, Dr Carol Sullivan of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health explained that there are many benefits to waiting and giving your child their first birth several hours after birth.

Breastfeeding

Delayed bathing also helps support breastfeeding, so if a new mother is hoping to feed her baby that way, it helps to get some bonding time in before allowing a separation.

'Delayed bathing improves breastfeeding rates because it improves the initial skin-to-skin periods and is associated with increased mother’s satisfaction,' Dr Sullivan says.

A new study conducted by the Cleveland Clinic in the Journal for Obstetrics, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing found that delaying a healthy newborn's first bath by 12 or more hours increased the rate of breastfeeding exclusively during their hospital stay.

Maintaining the vernix

Delayed bathing could be good for your baby because it maintains the vernix for as long as possible.

Dr Sullivan explains: ‘Delayed bathing ensures that the vernix is kept in place. This is a mechanical barrier and may protect the baby from infection and is a natural emollient, which is absorbed into the skin slowly over 24 hours. It is beneficial for this to be left in place.'

Although the appearance can be a bit off-putting, the vernix is rather important as it also serves as a germ barrier against bacteria and helps protect newborns against disease too.

Another great pro to the vernix is that it acts as a natural skin moisturiser for your little one. Newborn skin is notoriously adverse to air outside of the womb, so anything that offers additional moisture is sure to be a good thing.

Decreasing the newborn's stress levels

Skin-to-skin contact between mothers and their babies - also known as Kangaroo care - immediately after they have left the womb is important to establish a bond, and it has actually been linked by several studies to lower stress levels in babies.

Plus, it's not just babies - mums also greatly benefit from skin-to-skin contact too.

Research done by the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition showed that mums' stress levels were reduced after holding their baby.

Although they didn't discover exactly why, lead author of the study Natalia Isaza told Fit Pregnancy: 'From my experience as a mother and a neonatologist, my guess is that skin-to-skin contact reduces mothers' stress levels because it gives them an opportunity to play an active role in the care of their babies.

'We know skin-to-skin contact has physiological benefits in the newborns such as stabilisation of heart rate and respiratory patterns, so holding their babies skin-to-skin allows mothers to aid in the healing process.'

Preventing hypothermia

The vernix, which is made up mostly of water as well as lipids and protein, also protects a newborn baby from heat loss and risk of hypothermia — a potentially dangerous drop in body temperature.

'It prevents hypothermia, that can occur with a bath as babies find it difficult to maintain their temperature in the first few days and getting wet will make this more likely even with a warm bath,' Dr Sullivan says.

'Hypothermia can lead to low blood sugars (hypoglycaemia) and also breathing problems. These could lead to admission to the special care baby unit separating the mother from the baby. It has also been shown to reduce hypoglycaemia even in the absence of hypothermia.'

Delayed bathing: So how long should you wait until you bathe your newborn?

While World Health Organization advise waiting at least 24 hours, Dr Carol recommends that newborn babies are left anywhere between 48 and 72 hours before having their first bath. With this many benefits it's not hard to see why more and more mothers are choosing to do so.

Words by Kirsty McCormack.