The water temperature for your baby’s bath should be between 90 and 100 degrees, so it is warm to touch but never scalding, says pediatrician Jennifer A. Gardner, board certified in Washington, D.C. “Hot water poses a risk of burning, dries the skin and can overheat the baby,” notes Gardner, founder of Healthy Kids Company.
Test water with the back of your wrist or an elbow, as both are more sensitive to water than your hands, Gardner recommends. Frequently re-test the water to make sure it remains comfortable and monitor the color of your baby’s skin while in the bath. “Your baby’s skin may become pink in the tub but should never turn red,” Gardner says. “At the other end of the temperature spectrum, the baby’s skin, fingertips and lips should never become pale or blue.”
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