When bathing your infant or toddler you want to ensure that you plan ahead to make bath time as safe as possible. Whether you are using a baby bathtub, a sink, or a full-size bathtub there many precautions that you want to take. Bath time can be fun for your child; however, there are many dangers you want to avoid. Below are a few safety tips that will help you to keep bath time safe and fun.
Adult Supervision
There are many safety hazards in the bathroom; drowning, burns, slips, and falls are all possible, which makes it extremely important that there is an adult supervising the child at all times. Even if your seven-year-old child is taking a bath with your two-year-old, there needs to be an adult in the bathroom until the water is drained, turned off, and everyone is dry.
Water Level
Because infants and toddlers do not yet have the strength or cognitive ability to sit up or rollover to float in the water, they are at a much higher risk of drowning. Children can drown in as little as 2 inches of water, which means it is important that the water level is appropriate for your child. If your infant is not able to sit up yet you may opt for a baby bathtub that keeps her in a safe reclining position that significantly reduces the likelihood of drowning. You may also choose to bathe infants and toddlers in the kitchen sink because it is easier to manage the level of the water. If you are bathing your child in a full-size bathtub, keep the water level somewhere around hip level when the child is seated.
Burn Prevention
The ideal water temperature for bathing is between 115 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If you accidentally make the water too hot, add a little bit of cold water until the temperature is safe. Because children are curious, invest in childproof knobs so that your little ones do not accidentally turn on the hot water and scald themselves.
Slips and Falls
Slipping and falling in the bathroom is a hazard for both parents and children. To reduce the likelihood of slipping and falling put a nonslip mat on the bottom of your bathtub, or use nonslip strips. Outside the bathtub make sure that you have a rubberized mat that you can place your little one on as you dry her off.
Bath and Shower Supplies
An infant’s skin is far more porous than an adult’s, which prompts many parents to turn to all-natural or organic bath and shower supplies. Because little ones are more likely to accidentally get soap in their eyes, invest in gentle cleansers designed for infants and toddlers that will cause less irritation. Also consider body lotions designed specifically for children that will help to lock-in moisture after they bathe. Children lose moisture much faster than adults, and you want to ensure that their sensitive skin does not dry out.
By investing in the popular bath safety tools and planning ahead you can keep bath time fun and safe for both you and your little ones.
This article was provided by Kelly Elder, safety-oriented live-in nanny. If you've got bath time down but still need help with the aesthetics of your bathroom, Kelly recommends you contact Doug Turner Plumbing for a bathroom remodel.
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