However, your job as parent regarding bath time does not end in making it a fun time for your kid. More importantly, it is also your responsibility to ensure his safety during baths.
Safety Tip 1: Be prepared. Everything should be ready. His towel, soap, shampoo, bath toys, tub, wash cloth, bath seat and all his bathing necessities should be prepared and should be within hand’s reach even before you settle your kid in his tub. If in case you forget something, don’t leave baby in the tub alone. Instead bundle him up in a towel and take him with you.
Safety Tip 2: Choose a safe place for bathing. The sink and the bathroom are ideal places for baby to take his tubby time. Be sure you place his tub on top of something sturdy so it won’t topple over. It’s also a good idea to place a rubber mat underneath the tub to prevent it from slipping. Aside from that, the place you choose to bathe baby must not have any dangerous items within baby’s reach such as razors, powder or breakable glass items.
Safety Tip 3: Test waters first before dipping your baby. Hot water may scald your baby while cold water may terrify him. Before letting your baby take the bath, test the water with your elbow to make sure it’s just the right temperature. To be doubly sure, test it with a bath thermometer to see if it’s 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Safety Tip 4: Never leave your baby unattended even for a second. It can only take as fast as a blink of an eye for baby to slip or fall off or for any unfortunate accident to happen. When the phone or doorbell rings, or the pot you’re cooking starts to smell like it’s burning, never dare to leave your child on the tub and risk his safety just to answer the phone or the door or to rescue your pot roast. Needless to say, your child’s life is more important.
Safety Tip 5: Be focused. Don’t let the television airing your favourite soap or a chattering neighbour distract you while you give your kid a bath. Always keep in mind that it’s in your hands to keep your baby safe at all times. Being distracted may cause you to accidentally put shampoo on his eyes or worse not be able to hold him properly. Babies are slippery when wet and it entails a lot of effort and focused attention to ensure that your baby does not slip out of your hands and is not harmed during a bath.
One of your main responsibilities as a parent is to provide a safe environment for your kid and to ensure that he is free from anything that may hurt and harm him. Keeping him safe at all times including during bath time is one of the things you should always keep in mind.
