What temperature should the water be for a baby's bath?

What the evidence says

The bath itself should feel warm, not hot, on your skin. Canadian sources like AboutKidsHealth say bathwater should be under 38°C (100°F), and Australia's Raising Children Network gives a similar range of 37 to 38°C. You don't need an exact number every time; testing with your wrist or elbow works well because that skin is more sensitive to heat than your hand.

The bigger danger is the hot water coming out of your taps, not the bath itself. Health Canada recommends setting your hot water heater to no more than 49°C (120°F), because water hotter than that can burn a baby's thin skin in seconds. The American Academy of Pediatrics gives the same 120°F limit.

A few practical tips from these sources: never put your baby into running water, since the temperature can suddenly change as water moves through your pipes. Fill the tub first, then test it, then place your baby in. Some guides suggest filling only 5 to 7 cm (2 to 3 inches) of water for a newborn.

Always stay within arm's reach and keep one hand on your baby the whole time. This matters just as much as temperature, since drowning can happen silently in a very small amount of water.

Canadian and international guidance agree closely here, so there isn't a special difference in advice for Canada beyond the same 49°C/120°F tap water limit already recommended by Health Canada.