3x What It Was Like to Bathe My Little One for the First Time

Some parents love it, others find it incredibly nerve-wracking: giving your baby their very first bath. After all the instructions from the maternity nurse, you just go for it and hope everything goes well — and most of all, that your little one doesn’t cry. We asked three moms to share their first bath stories. Do these sound familiar to you?

Marlien (35), mom to Charlie (2) and Jens (1)
“The first few days you were here, I couldn’t stop sniffing you — your hair, your neck, your tummy, your mouth, everything smelled like you. That’s why I was nervous to bathe you for the first time — would you still smell as lovely afterward? I didn’t want that soapy scent; I wanted your own unique smell. That first magical bath moment... you loved it. No soap, just a soft washcloth. You floated in the warm water, yawned a lot, and were completely relaxed. I dried you off with a large muslin cloth, dressed you in a clean outfit, and you still smelled just like you — perfect!”

Liset (39), mom to Jill (7) and Ruby (2)
“Ruby spent a month in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) in Groningen. When I was finally allowed to bathe her, she still had a central line, a regular IV, a feeding tube, and was hooked up to a heart monitor. Only the monitor could be briefly disconnected — the rest came with her into the bath. She was still so fragile and tiny, weighing less than 2 kilos and bearing a large scar on her belly. Despite everything, she really enjoyed her first bath. I placed a muslin cloth over her body — it’s said to give a sense of security. After about ten minutes, I dried her off and dressed her in a pre-warmed onesie. By then, I’d become pretty skilled at reconnecting the heart monitor. Then I fed her through the tube, and she fell peacefully asleep.”

Anna (31), mom to Otis (2) and Seff (3 months)
“So much came at me when Otis was born. He was so unique and smelled so good. I didn’t feel the need for a bath anytime soon. But of course, it was nice to practice with the maternity nurse. I remember being so nervous about changing him — those tiny toes and fingers! So the idea of putting him in the bath felt overwhelming. But when I saw how much he enjoyed the warm water, I relaxed too. Then came the stress again when I had to dress him and he was a little less happy, haha