Bath Safety

JANUARY 1, 2018 BY ERIN STIEGLITZ 

January is National Bath Safety Month so we’re sharing tips on bath safety.

Bath time should be a splashy, splashy fun experience for your little one and can be a part of a wonderful daytime or nighttime routine. But the bathroom can also be a dangerous place for babies if you don’t take bath safety precautions.

Keep these bath safety tips in mind for your home and anywhere your child may bathe regularly:

• Never leave your baby unattended in a bathroom. Babies can drown in only an inch or two of water and it can happen very quickly.
• Have all items with you in the bathroom before you begin giving your baby a bath. This includes towels, washcloths, toys, a change of clothes and a fresh diaper.
• If you must leave the bathroom, wrap your baby in a towel and bring her with you.
• Babies typically prefer water cooler than adults. Set your water heater so it never exceeds 120 degrees to eliminate risk of burns.
• Fill the tub with two to four inches of water and no higher than your baby’s waist level.
• Place a no-skid mat in the tub to avoid slips and falls.
• Cover the bath spout with soft protection.
• Keep the bathroom temperature toasty to keep your baby warm when she gets out of the bath.
• It’s best to give your baby a sponge bath until the umbilical cord nub has fallen off and circumcisions have healed. Then you can move to a baby tub with a sling that will safely prop your baby to avoid submersion.
• Empty bath water as soon as you’re done with it. Leaving water in the bath is dangerous if your baby or toddler wanders into the bathroom unattended.
• Close and lock toilet seats to avoid babies from playing with the water and potentially falling in.
• Lock medicine cabinets and keep all medications, including vitamins, out of reach.
• Put away electronics so they don’t accidently fall into the bath.
• Your baby does not need a bath every day but it’s fine to give one if your baby enjoys it and it helps you create a calming or stimulating routine.
• Use a baby-safe soap free of dyes and fragrances sparingly. It’s fine to wash your baby in plain water and use soap only a few days a week.
• If soap tends to dry out your baby’s skin, apply it at the end of the bath so your baby is not sitting in soapy water for too long.
• Never let your baby play with or turn on the faucet. While it may be innocent and harmless now, it is a habit that might be dangerous in the future.
• Bubble baths may seem like fun but they can irritate your baby’s sensitive skin.
• Switch bathroom locks so your child can never lock herself in the bathroom.
• Feel free to take a bath with your baby. This can be a fun, relaxing and bonding ritual for you both.

We hope you implement these bath safety tips for the safety and wellbeing of your little one during National Bath Safety Month.

Sources: Healthy Children, Parents and BabyCenter

link: http://lovingmomentsbras.com/bath-safety.html