Bathing with your child isn’t just a convenient way to get yourselves clean, but also a great bonding experience. You can get skin-to-skin contact, playtime, and bathtime all in one! It’s great to have fun during bathtime, but your number one focus is always going to be safety. Here are some rules and tips to make sure you get the most out of bathtime while staying safe.
1. Plan it out
Taking a bath with your toddler has some pros and cons. You can worry a little less about the perfect water temperature because you’ll be in the water yourself, and Baby will probably be happier to have some company. However, Baby is now a lot more mobile and generally squirmy. And you’ll also be wet and soapy! Don’t hesitate to ask another adult to stay close in case you need help wrangling a slippery toddler to rinse shampoo out of their hair.
2. Babyproof the bath
Baths might seem inherently baby-safe – they’re just big basins, right? But it’s easy to overlook potentially hazardous items like razors, heavy bottles, candles, or sharp decorations like shells or fancy soaps. Baths get really slippery, and you wouldn’t want something to fall off the ledge and hurt either of you. If your bath has hard corners, think about laying a towel over them in case one of you slips going in or out of the bath. Make sure no personal care electronics are plugged in or within reach. Being in the bath gives you a unique perspective you may miss otherwise! You should also consider buying a non-slip bath mat for the inside of your tub or shower to prevent slips and falls.
3. Bring some toys!
Think of this as your opportunity to create a foundation of good hygiene and memories for the rest of Baby’s life. You want them to think of bathtime as a fun time, a special arena where they get to play with their favorite boat or duck or dolphin. Narrate how you clean their body and hair, letting them help in any way they can. A similar routine each time will make it much easier for them to do independently as they grow! You should also consider buying a non-slip bath mat for the inside of your tub or shower to prevent slips and falls.
4. Stay in the bathroom
According to the National Institutes of Health, children under 6 years old should never be left alone in the bathtub, and they should also not be allowed in the bathroom if there is any water in the bathtub. When you’re draining the tub after bathtime, make sure it is completely empty before you leave the bathroom. Also, don’t put one child in charge of another during bathtime – always make sure there is an adult supervising.
Make the transition easy
It might be hard to think about, but one day, your baby is going to be older, wiser, and more private. Eventually, they are going to want to start bathing and showering alone, and there are some things you can do to ease that transition. Keep an eye out for signs that they are becoming more private, like closing the door when they go to the bathroom or asking to be left alone when changing clothes. Let Baby know that it’s okay if they like to bathe with you, but that if they one day don’t want to, that’s okay too.
With that in mind, cherish bathtime with Baby while you have it! This is a time for you both to relax, unwind, and bond, so soak it all in… literally.
Sources
“Bathroom safety – children.” MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine, October 20, 2024. Web.
