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.
