by Miss Kat

Created on: January 02, 2009

Bathing an infant is one thing, but bathing a toddler is an entirely different ball game. Toddlers tend to move around more (at least my toddler does) and because they are too big to confine to a baby tub, there are certain things that must be done to ensure they have both a fun as well as a safe bath.

First things first, turn on the tub and adjust the temperature of the water so that it is lukewarm or at least at a comfortable enough temperature for your toddler. You can add bubbles to the water if you wish. My daughter is two and loves jumping around in the tub so to make the tub extra safe, I place a rubber mat on the floor of the tub to prevent any slips or falls. There are also faucet covers which help prevent your little one from accidentally hitting their head or injuring themselves in any way. You can never be too careful when it comes to your little one. Another good idea would be to place extra towels on the floor. Toddlers like to splash around in the water which in turn can cause a huge lake to form on your bathroom floor if you aren't prepared. Extra towels on the floor may cause a little extra laundry, but that's one less floor you have to mop.

Next, make sure you have a towel handy so that as soon as your toddler is done bathing, all you have to do is reach for it. Never leave a child (no matter what age) unattended in the bathtub. Babies, even toddlers have been known to drown in water as deep as only one foot. Undress your little one, clothes, diaper or pull-up, and place them in the tub. Make sure to add a few age appropriate, bath safe toys. This helps to occupy your toddler while you bathe them.

Now for the fun part, get a cup or some sort of device that can hold a good amount of water, enough water to allow you to rinse your child. Next, shampoo their hair, then apply soap (toddler safe) to a wash cloth and scrub your child from the top of their heads, to their little bottoms, to their little toes. Stores often sell two in one shampoo and body wash. I always found these types of products to be more convenient. They get the job done and it also saves you a little more money so you aren't spending so much on buying two separate items. Once you have them all lathered and soapy, fill your cup and rinse them off until all the soap and bubbles are gone.

I normally allow my daughter a few minutes to play in the tub. Once she's all done, I give her one more quick rinse and it's out she goes. I then prep her for bed time (her baths are always before bed time). You don't have to do it in this exact manner or even like this at all, but this is just a small example. Parents normally figure out a way that works best for them and their family which is totally the right way to do it. Once you have a routine, it becomes extremely easy and both you and your toddler can enjoy bath time together. Just remember to always make it safe, make it fun and make the most out of the time you have with them. Cherish bath time with your toddler because unfortunately, as much as we don't want them to, our toddlers won't be toddlers for very long. Enjoy every moment even if it's just during bath time.

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