Bath time is a great time for parents to bond and relax with their baby. However safety is paramount as many serious accidents from scalding to drowning can occur if precautions are not followed. According to Safe Kids USA, in children aged 1 to 14 drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death from injury and more than 50 percent of drownings in infants under the age of 1 occur in bathtubs. By following a few safety rules you can make sure bath time is a fun and special time.
Types
There are numerous types of bathtubs available on the market but your main consideration should be safety. Opt for a tub that is contoured, this will prevent your baby from sliding, a bath tub with a sling will provide support to your baby's head while preventing him from slipping underwater. Avoid inflatable bathtubs, bath seats and bath rings as they can flip over and are a drowning hazard.
Temperature
An undressed baby can become chilled easily so make sure the temperature of the bathroom is a comfortable 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature of the water should be 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Test the water with both a thermometer and the inside of your elbow, swirl the water to ensure there are no hotspots. Never put your baby in the bathtub with the faucet running as the water temperature may change abruptly. Babies can receive third degree burns in just two seconds with water that's 150 degrees Fahrenheit, to avoid the risk of potential accidents set the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Supplies
Gather all your supplies like shampoo, soap, washcloths and toys and have them within reach, even before you start filling the tub with water. A wet baby is slippery and you don't want to reach for things with one hand and trying to hold your baby haphazardly with the other.
Support
You need to make sure you are supporting your baby's head and upper body during bathing by wrapping your arm around your baby's back and holding the baby's armpit firmly from the other side. When you need to wash your baby's back, keep a firm grasp and lean your baby forward into your arm.
Supervision
Never ever leave your baby unattended in the bathtub, not even for a second, babies can drown in just an inch of water. If the phone's ringing or someone's at the door, they can wait. If you absolutely must leave the room, take your baby out of the bathtub, wrap in a hooded towel and take him with you. Don't let young siblings supervise the baby either, they may not understand the dangers or be too young to handle a newborn.
