Knowing how to give your baby a sponge bath is something every parent should learn. Before you start giving your baby a tub bath you should start with a sponge bath. Sponge bath supplies assist you in making things easier. There are several reasons why a sponge bath is recommended for the baby’s first weeks. Sponge baths help your baby ease into their first tub bath by getting them accustomed to the water. It is also preferable before the umbilical stump falls off. Here are all the sponge bath supplies you’ll be needing to give your baby a sponge bath.

Related: 10 Best Baby Sponge Choices For A Sponge Bath

Wash Basins

You will need two portable washing basins. This is one of the necessary sponge bath supplies. The washing basins should contain warm water at a temperature of about 99 F degrees. Preferably you can use a thermometer.

One basin will have soap for cleaning, and the other with clear water for rinsing. Add the cleanser or mild baby soap to one of the water bowls. When you use the sponge with the soapy water, then use the washcloth with the plain water. This will help get the soap off quickly to avoid drying the baby’s skin.

You should also avoid putting in too much soap or cleanser in the water. Just a little will do the job nicely.

Related: All About How to Sponge Bathe Baby

Sponge or Washcloths

This is the most obvious of the sponge bath supplies. For a sponge bath, you will definitely need a sponge, or simply a couple of wash cloths. Get a soft baby sponge for this purpose. It shouldn’t be too big that you can’t hold it with one hand. It should be able to fit snugly into one hand. Check out our article on 10 Best baby sponge choice for a sponge bath.

You should dip it in the soapy water, squeeze out excess water, and then wipe your baby. Be careful when wiping with a sponge. Do not wipe roughly because it might end up damaging the baby’s skin. When you use the sponge with soapy water you should also rinse with a washcloth with clean water immediately. Do not let the soap dry on the baby’s skin.

Cotton Wool

This is also one of the necessary sponge bath supplies. You should have a pack of cotton wool. You will need to use a ball of cotton wool to clean the baby’s eyes, nose, and eyes. You may choose to use the washcloth for these, but the ball of cotton wool should be used when cleaning the eyes. You will also need to use these for the genitalia.

Ensure to use a different ball of cotton wool for each wipe. Starting from the eye, do not use the same ball of cotton wool for both eyes. Do not use the same ball of cotton wool twice in the genital area.

Washcloths

This is also one of the necessary sponge bath supplies. You should get at least 2 different washcloths. One can do the job, but two makes it even more convenient to have one cloth for using with the soap and one for using to rinse with the clear water. You should use the washcloths to clean the baby after using the sponge to clean the baby with a soapy sponge.

Do not put the washcloth in the soapy water. Use the water bowl without soap in it for the washcloth. You could also choose to use different washcloths for the face and body.

Cleanser or Mild Baby Soap

You should get a cleanser or a mild baby soap to use for sponge baths. If you were to use a washcloth it would be okay to use only water, but a sponge would have too much friction if no cleanser or soap is added to the water. When using this particular item from your sponge bath supplies, ensure it is okay for use.

You can check in with your doctor to discover your baby’s skin type and what products to avoid. Do not use adult soap as one of your baby’s sponge bath supplies as it may be too harsh. Use a mild baby soap. Also, wipe gently to avoid damaging the skin.

Related: All About Baby Bathing: Benefits of a Sponge Bath for Baby

Padding for Laying Baby On

This one from the list of sponge bath supplies serves a different purpose than the regular baby towel. You could decide to place a mat under the baby and add a towel to make it soft. Fold the towel and let it cover the whole area the baby’s body could extend to. Using a kitchen sink might not be very comfortable for giving a sponge bath to a baby. That is why it is much better to do it on a flat surface.

However, if you choose to do it in the tub or sink then you should use a sit and soak baby tub. It helps the baby stay upright so you can concentrate on getting them clean. Check out our article on Top 10 sink baby baths recommended on baby advice website.

Body Lotion

This is one of those sponge bath supplies that you may or may not need. If your baby shows any signs of dry skin, it is important to have on hand. Use only mild body lotion for the baby’s skin. This is especially necessary during the dry season when the skin might start to break if no lotion is applied.

Ensure to get something recommended by the doctor. Make sure the product you get does not have irritants or ingredients that your baby is allergic to. Allergens will cause redness and itching that will make your baby very uncomfortable. It is often good to avoid lotion with a strong scent as perfume if often an irritant.

Baby Powder

Baby powder will do a nice job of keeping your baby dry. This isn’t one of the important sponge bath supplies, but a lot of parents use it. You should avoid the use of baby powder with talc, if you can manage it. If your child inhales the talc in the powder it can cause serious breathing problems and can even lead to lung complications.

While using it, do not puff it into the air. You should consider using a powder dispenser to help apply the powder . Avoid allowing the baby to inhale the powder. It is helpful especially for those rashes that occur in the diaper area. You could opt for a diaper rash cream instead.

Towels

These are sponge bath supplies you must have. It is important because you will need to cover the baby immediately when you finish bathing them. Even though it isn’t a full bath, the baby can still get chilled because you wiped their skin with wet washcloths. Wrap her up immediately when you are done with the sponge bath and even dry and cover those areas you have cleaned.

You can use the towel to keep the baby comfy while you apply moisturizer (if you plan to). A hooded towel does the job better than a regular towel. Consider adding one to your sponge bath supplies as they do a great job of keeping the baby’s head covered.

Diapers

This is another one of the sponge bath supplies you must have. You should put a clean, fresh diaper on the baby immediately after you finish with the sponge bath. While cleaning the baby, it is okay to leave the old one loosely on the baby until you are ready to clean that area. You don’t want any soggy surprises!  Allowing them to get some air flow around the area is good for the skin.

For the first few weeks while the umbilical cord is healing it is great if you can find diapers with a cut-out notch. If you can’t find those, try simply folding the front down a bit so it doesn’t rub on the sensitive umbilical area. 

Related: Baby Health Information: How to Give Sponge Bath With The Umbilical Cord