As your baby grows larger, that little
tiny counter top bathtub will become a thing
of the past. But, putting a baby into a big
bathtub can be frightening for both of you.
Here are some ideas to make bath time fun
and safe for you and your little one.
Take a bath together
Your baby will love having you play and
splash with her, especially if she is a
little afraid of the big bathtub. This works
best when baby is old enough to sit up on
her own, so you don’t have to hold her the
entire time.
Buy a bath ring
Bath rings are great for babies who can’t
sit unsupported just yet, because they keep
the baby from slipping down into the water
Try an inflatable bathtub
Inflatable tubs fit snugly down inside
your bath tub. They are soft, with big puffy
sides that help keep baby upright. Plus,
these tubs make the large tub seem a little
smaller and less overwhelming to the baby. I
found this to be a great way to transition
my children into the big tub.
Buy lots of bath toys
If your child is a little fearful of the
tub, the best way to deal with the fear is
to take his mind off it. There are loads of
toys for the bath, from a plain old rubber
ducky, to battery operated fish that swim
around, to paints designed for writing right
on the walls. Find the right combination of
bath toys, and only let him play with them
in the bath, and you should be able to turn
bath time into the favorite time of day.
Color the water
There are some great bath time products
that can color your bath water. Children are
delighted to be able to pick the color of
the bath. It’s a great way to teach colors,
too!
A couple of final words about bath time -
be sure you are using children’s bath
products. The last thing you want is a child
who is already fearful of the bath getting
soap or shampoo in his eyes. Plus, adult
products can be drying and cause skin
irritation. And, never leave baby unattended
in the bath, not even for a second. The bath
can be loads of fun for your child, but only
if it’s safe, too.