I love a lot of things about the newborn and infant stages: Their adorable little baby sounds, the sweet smell of a newborn’s head, the way they fall asleep on your chest—I love it all! Well, actually, there is one very specific part of the baby stage that I have not enjoyed, and that’s baby grooming.
I was terrified the first time I had to bathe my baby, and don’t even get me started on cutting their nails. I will admit that I let my baby go quite a few days between baths, as this seemed easier than trying to cleanse my squirmy, slippery child. And I also let my baby’s nails grow a little bit too long. Those tiny cuts you see on my babies’ faces sometimes? Yeah, my kids had those constantly.
Eventually, though, I had to get past my fears. While some parents love bath time with their littles, I never enjoyed it during the early months. But I did do it. And I found that with the right gear, it wasn’t quite as intimidating as it was in the beginning. Like with most things in motherhood, it can seem scary at first, but you find your rhythm and you get it done.
If you’re intimated by baby grooming like I was, here are the tried-and-true products that make it a bit easier and, dare I say it, maybe even a little enjoyable.
Creating your baby registry can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help with editor- and expert-approved picks for everything you need for your new baby (and for you!) with our first ever Baby Registry Awards. Click here for our top picks for everything from bouncers to baby bottles.
For the Bath
A helpful item for newborns, this soft bath pad conforms to most sinks to cradle and protect the baby during their first baths. It's made with quick-dry antimicrobial foam to keep mold and mildew away and can be thrown in your home's washer and dryer for easy cleaning between baths. There are a bunch of baby baths on the market, but we like this one best because it can be used during the newborn, infant, and toddler stages. It features an adjustable bump for positioning and a contoured back wall with non-slip foam to hold baby in place—plus, it fits within most double sinks. Another editor-favorite bath tub, this option from Skip Hop grows with baby through three stages and includes a quick-drying mesh sling that supports a little one in two ergonomic positions. When your baby can start to sit up but might still need some assistance, this baby tub seat is just the thing you need. It suctions to the bottom of the tub and allows your little one to sit, splash, and play without the risk of slipping around. It's also super helpful for bathing two kids at once. This handy set includes everything moms need for an easy bath time experience with their little like an elbow rest, spout cover, kneeler, and rinser. And we love its sweet whale theme! Let's face it—we're not getting any younger and our knees and elbows will appreciate the extra padding during bath time. We love this option because it includes bath toy storage, too! Another editor must-have product to add to your baby registry, this set of six washcloths is made of super-soft organic cotton and comes in adorable patterns. They're handy to use in the bath, but can also be used during meal time, around the changing table, and more. The moment you take the baby out of the bath, it can be a scramble to get your little one wrapped up and warm—that's why a hooded towel is a must. We love this option because it's machine washable, includes a cute gingham trim that comes in several colors, and can be personalized with your little's name. A classic registry item for a reason, this is another great hooded towel option from West Elm Kids that comes in five animal options for something extra-adorable. This might look like a standard (but cute) rubber ducky for bath time fun, but it actually has a very important secondary purpose: the toy's base features a White Hot Safety Disc that reveals the word "HOT" if the bath water is too hot for a baby or little one. This set of four fun bath toys are a cute (and unexpected) item to add to a baby registry. Each bubble is designed to stimulate baby's sense of sight, hearing, and touch. They're recommended for littles 4 months and older. 
Source: Canva
For Grooming
Another editor-favorite set, this suite of products has the most wonderful scent and is gentle for even the most sensitive skin. The smell is so good you might catch yourself using it, too! This FridaBaby kit is must-have registry item because it includes nearly everything you'll need for baby for grooming, health and wellness, and teething. Some favorites included in the set are the NoseFrida SnotSucker and Windi Gaspasser, plus nail clippers, a rectal thermometer, a finger toothbrush, and more. If you buy one individual item from FridaBaby's line of helpful products, make sure it's this. The NoseFrida was a game-changing product for parents when it first came out because it, quite literally, sucks baby's boogers and snot out in the quickest and easiest way possible—trust us! For the first few months, an electric nail trimmer takes away the stress of trying to cut a tiny baby's tiny nails. This inexpensive option from Amazon is a great alternative to the nail clipper that comes in the FridaBaby set above. Though your little one might not have a lot of hair, this brush set is perfect for taming a messy mane and is especially great for littles with curly hair. The soft-bristled brush can also help prevent cradle cap. If your little one is affected by cradle cap, this medicated shampoo comes highly recommended. One of our Everymom contributing writers Emilee said this "shampoo worked almost instantly [to clear up cradle cap] for both my children." It was also recommended by her pediatrician. One of our Everymom editors, Ally, said this helpful product acts as a cure for many different skin discomforts baby might experience, making it a registry item she always recommends to other moms. "This formula is magic at making rough skin and eczema patches disappear!" she added. This healing ointment from editor-favorite brand Burt's Bees Baby truly does it all. It’s gentle enough for baby, and you can use it for diaper rashes, dry skin, chapped lips, and as a moisturizer. You can start massaging baby's gums after 3 months of age, even before that first tooth pops in with a soft, silicone finger toothbrush. This budget-friendly must-have also comes with a travel case and has over 5,000 five-star reviews. Plus, you can clean it in the dishwasher or sterilizer. Before you know it, you're going to be teaching your baby to brush their teeth. It might be hard to believe, but once your baby gets teeth, it's time to start the routine. These MAM toothbrushes have a safety shield and are a perfect option starting at 6 months old.
