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Giving a baby a bath in a hotel room can pose all sorts of problems, so it is always best to call ahead to know what you will be dealing with. For example, the bathroom may not have enough floor space for you to comfortably kneel beside the tub to bathe the baby. In addition, although most bathrooms contain a bathtub, some hotel rooms have only a shower stall. When making reservations at a hotel, you should ask about the bathroom to be sure that it is appropriate for giving your baby a bath. If it doesn't sound like the originally planned hotel room will work, you can ask for a different room or make reservations at a different hotel. While the tub is filling, you should set up the bath essentials before your baby is put in the tub. You should put yourself where you will be while bathing the baby and make sure that everything is easy to reach. If the tub is set up differently from the one at home, you should have a plan for getting the baby in and out of the tub smoothly. After everything is ready, you can undress the baby and proceed with the bath just as you would at home. It might seem like a strange thing to do at a hotel or relative's home, but it may ease your mind if you at least put some water in the tub and wipe it down with a separate washcloth before giving your baby a bath. This is because you have no real knowledge about when the tub was cleaned last, how thoroughly it was cleaned, and what type of chemicals were used to clean it. Wetting the tub and wiping it down with a washcloth removes any surface dirt and chemical residue that might be present. Along with the actual physical arrangement of bathrooms, at both a relative's home and a hotel, there may also be a difference in how quickly the water becomes hot and the temperature that it reaches. This is something you won't know until you are actually getting the bath ready, but it needs to be done for every bath that the baby is given while away from home. The bathwater may vary in temperature from one bath to another, due to high demand from other users in the building, an old or faulty water heater, or any number of other reasons. Although it isn't very common, there is also the possibility that the water might not be as clean and clear as it is at home. For example, some older homes, and possibly hotels, may have pipework that is rusty and the rust may cause the water to be cloudy or tinged. This is usually cleared up by letting the water run for a few minutes before plugging the drain in the tub.
Call ahead to your hotel to determine the best way to bathe your baby. Prepare the bathing supplies to make the bath easier. Rinse the tub before bathing. Check the water to make sure it is safe and comfortable for your baby.