Logical Life

5 Safety Tips for Bath Time with Baby

5 Safety Tips for Bath Time with Baby

A bath is a great way to connect and play with your little one! This ritual should be free of anxiety and filled with bubbly fun for both you and your baby. Bath time stimulates your baby's senses: warm water, a gentle washcloth, a squishy bath toy, the smell of soap, and the gentle sounds of water.

If your infant has recently graduated from baths in the kitchen sink, the bathroom contains new curiosities that will catch your child's eye. We would like to suggest a few safety precautions you can take so both you and your child can enjoy a stress free bath time.

Bath Time Safety Tips for New Parents

1. Bathroom Storage

You may not think twice about leaving a bar of soap at the edge of the tub, but bathrooms are filled with new items your child will want to grab and explore. Items such as razors, bath salts, or bottles of soap. If your child is toddler, they might be able to reach items at the edge of the bathroom sink. The first safety measure you can take is clearing the bathroom of clutter. Storing non-essential items in cabinets that are out of reach, or behind a child-proof lock, will ensure your child has a safe place to bathe.

2. Water Temperature and Depth

The correct temperature for an infant bath is no more than 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. A higher temperature could scald your baby's skin and cause burns. Test the water with your wrist or forearm before putting your baby in the bath. If the water feels lukewarm on these sensitive areas, the temperature is correct. NOTE: Set your home's hot water heater below 120 degrees Fahrenheit to protect against accidental scalding.

For infants, fill the tub with two to three inches of water. That is all the water the baby needs to get clean, play, and stay safe. For children who are old enough to sit up on their own, fill the tub no higher than their navel. Swirl the water with your hands to ensure there are no hot spots.

3. Supervision

The most important safety guideline for bath time is proper supervision. Every parent occasionally forgets baby's pajamas or a diaper back in the nursery. Wait until bath time is over to wrap baby up and take them with you in search of the missing items. Always stay within arm's reach of your baby when they are in the tub.

4. Slip and Fall Prevention

For mobile babies, slipping and falling in the tub is another danger. Babies who are beginning to lift themselves to stand may pull themselves up on the edge of the tub. Teach your child to stay seated in the tub. Line the tub with a slip-proof shower mat. Cover the tub spout with a cushioned guard to protect your baby's head in the event she accidentally bumps it. Keep a bath mat outside of the tub to give your child a safe place to sit or stand while you dry her off.

5. Baby-Safe Bath Products

Small babies do not need a tub full of products each time they bathe. Unless they are dirty, infants do not need daily head-to-toe bathing. When they do need a more thorough bath, water and a small amount of mild soap are all your infant needs. 

Babies are exposed to toxic chemicals via personal care products including lotions, shampoos and soaps. These products are easily absorbed through the skin, and babies are ten times more vulnerable to the chemicals in these products than adults. Read labels closely to find safe alternatives. Avoid products that contain:

  • 1, 4-Dioxane
  • Formaldehyde
  • Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
  • Sulfates
  • Phthalates
  • Parabens
  • Octinoxate
  • Benzophenones
  • Ethanolamines
  • Nitrosamines
  • Petrolatum
  • Isothiazolinones
  • Triclosan

Try to eliminate or reduce the use of products with added synthetic fragrances. Although they may smell heavenly, they are not healthy or safe. Instead search for products that are naturally scented.

All TotLogic products are plant based and scented with natural essential oils, and free of harmful chemicals and toxins commonly found in popular baby bath products, and do not contain artificial fragrances or dyes.

By following these basic guidelines, both you and your baby can look forward to a relaxing and stress free bath time. Learn more about Logic Products here or visit us at Logical Life: The Green Lifestyle Magazine for Families.

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