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Baby Bath Temperature
Bath water that’s too hot is a real scald risk for babies, whose skin is thinner and more sensitive than an adult’s. This guide covers how to keep bath water — and your home’s water heater — at a safe temperature, and how to test it before every bath.
- SET YOUR WATER HEATER TO 120°F OR LOWER
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission both recommend setting home water heaters no higher than 120°F to reduce the risk of scald burns. In many homes, this means adjusting the water heater’s thermostat, not just being careful at the faucet.
- KEY TAKEAWAYS
Test bath water with the inside of your wrist or elbow before every bath — it should feel warm, not hot. Never leave your baby alone in the bath, even for a second, and never fill a bath by running water directly onto or near your baby, since temperature can fluctuate through the pipes.
Why Water Temperature Matters for Babies
A baby’s skin is thinner than an adult’s, which means it can burn at lower temperatures and in less time. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission publishes time-to-burn data for tap water: at 150°F, a third-degree burn can happen in about 2 seconds; at 140°F, about 6 seconds; at 130°F, about 30 seconds. Even at the CPSC-recommended maximum of 120°F, a five-minute exposure could still cause a third-degree burn — supervision is still essential.
| Tap Water Temperature | Time to a Third-Degree Burn |
|---|---|
| 150°F | About 2 seconds |
| 140°F | About 6 seconds |
| 130°F | About 30 seconds |
| 120°F (CPSC-recommended max) | About 5 minutes |
Source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Publication 5098, “Tap Water Scalds.” Even at the recommended 120°F setting, prolonged exposure can still cause burns — supervision matters at every temperature.
Setting Your Water Heater
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that the hottest temperature at any faucet in your home be no more than 120°F. In many homes, this means turning down the water heater’s thermostat rather than relying on care at the tap alone — pipes carry hot water throughout the house, so a faucet can run hotter than expected if the heater itself is set too high.
Testing the Water Before Every Bath
Fill the tub or basin, then test the water with the inside of your wrist or elbow rather than your hand, since those areas are more sensitive to temperature. The water should feel warm, not hot. Avoid running water from the faucet directly while your baby is in or near the bath, since temperature can shift unexpectedly through the plumbing.
Supervision Is Not Optional
No water temperature, however carefully set, replaces constant supervision. Keep a hand on your baby at all times during the bath, and never leave a baby alone in the bath even for a moment — not to answer the door, not to grab a towel, and not to answer your phone. If you need to leave the room for any reason, take your baby with you.
- NEVER LEAVE YOUR BABY ALONE IN THE BATH
Babies can drown in a small amount of water in seconds and silently. Gather everything you need — towel, washcloth, clean clothes — before you start the bath, so you’re never tempted to step away.
Sources
This guide is based on published guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics via HealthyChildren.org (“Bathing Your Baby”) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s tap-water scald prevention guidance. It is provided for general education and does not replace your pediatrician’s advice.