Bathing in the big tub

Bath time in the big tub is all about safety, supplies, and soothing. Here are some tips:

Safety first

• Never leave your baby unattended, even in the smallest amount of water.
• Wait until she can support herself in a seated position before bathing her in the tub.
• Place your baby in a bathing seat in the tub or on a nonskid surface such as a tub mat, a hand towel, or a baby bath sponge.
• Check the water temperature (using your wrist or elbow) before you place your baby into the water. Your baby’s skin is much more sensitive to hot water than yours, so make sure the bath water is warm, not hot.
• Keep your baby away from the faucet. A curious baby or well-meaning older sibling can accidentally be scalded by reaching out and turning on the hot-water spigot. To minimize the possibility of burns, turn your water heater down to 120° F.

Supplies

• Mild, no-tears soap for your baby’s sensitive skin and/or a gentle, no-tears shampoo.
• A bath seat or nonskid mat that you can dry out between baths.
• Toys: A playful rubber ducky or another bath-time toy can help make the whole experience much more fun for your baby and keep her in the tub a little longer.

Soothing

• Be sure the bathroom is warm. Babies are more sensitive to cold than adults.
• A big, fluffy bath towel is great for drying and bundling your baby after a bath. Because babies lose a lot of heat through the scalp, a hooded towel works best to keep her warm.
• Wash your baby gently. Babies generally don’t need to be scrubbed. When you’re done, pat her dry, especially in all those creases.