No matter what type of personality your baby has, it's almost certain he enjoys his bath time. Most babies are comforted by the warm water and the calming scents of soap and shampoo. Why not maximize this happy time by investing in a few bath accessories for you and your baby to enjoy?
Infant's Bathtub
Your baby will not be ready to sit unassisted in the grown-ups' tub until he is at least a year old and walking well. In the meantime, there are a wide variety of baby bathtubs on the market. The tub should be deep enough to partially immerse your baby in no more than six inches of water. Some baby tubs can be shifted either up or down to give your arms comfortable support while bathing your child and to accommodate your infant's ever-increasing size.
By the time your child is sitting well on his own, he will most likely begin to outgrow his baby bathtub. Allowing a child of this age to sit in the tub, even with a parent present, can be dangerous; slips and head-bumps are likely. Instead, look for a "booster" bath chair. Safety is always your first consideration; select a model that is sturdy and has a no-slip design. Make sure it sits high enough that you can easily bend toward your baby while washing him, and never allow him to sit in the support unattended.
No More Tears
While some babies hardly notice a bubble or two in the eyes, others react very strongly to having their hair shampooed. A foam eye guard is designed to keep soap and shampoo from falling into your child's face while you rinse his hair. These are extremely economical, and can save both of you a lot of headaches and tears.
Gentle Cleaning
When buying wash cloths for your baby, keep in mind that his skin is much softer and more prone to bruising and injury than your own. Terry cloth is a good bet: absorbent and soft, but slightly "nubby", so that it finds and lifts dirt easily.
A foam hand mitt is a practical and very safe way to clean your baby. You won't need to struggle one-handed with soap and a slippery washcloth; instead, rub the soap with the mitt and gently wash Baby from head to toe. A mitt may be one bath accessory you find you can't do without.
Good Clean Fun
Of course, no bath is complete without a rubber duckie. But don't stop here--there are a range of other creatures of rubber and vinyl to choose from, as well. Boats and other floating toys are also wonderful for babies. Your child will delight in pushing these back and forth in the water while you make the appropriate noises, like a fog horn or "whoosh" sound.
Infants can benefit from a bath mobile, which are made especially to withstand the rigors and wetness of bath time. A bath mobile will hold your baby's attention while you wash him. Older babies and toddlers will also enjoy bath books. Made of vinyl, these books can be chewed on, twisted, and, of course, taken into the tub without worry.
Drying Off
When Baby is finished with his bath, it's important to dry him quickly so he doesn't get a chill. Heat exits the body fastest through the head, so look for a towel that has an attached hood. Lift Baby out of the tub and onto the towel, then put up the hood immediately. Hoods range from simple sewn corners to whimsical designs that will delight your baby as you're drying him.
With the right choices and accessories, your baby can enjoy good clean fun every night. Happy bathing!
