Baby Bathtime

Though that first bath with your tiny, wriggly newborn may seem a little tricky at first (babies can sure be slippery when wet), once you both get your sea legs, bath time can become a great way to bond. For a baby, the simple act of bathing is a big sensory experience. Add a song and some silly (or soothing) sounds and you’ve got yourself a bathtime hit. Don’t be shy — unleash your inner songstress and sing a mashup of made-for-the-tub tunes (like “Splish Splash” and “Rubber Ducky“) or your latest fave from your playlist. Your baby will love it (even if you’re totally off-key), and you’ll expand her music and language skills. You can clap (and show her how to put her hands together) or tap her knee to teach her about rhythm (here are some other fun activities that help with gross motor skills).

Bath Time Toys Make Bath Time Fun

There are so many bathtime toys that it’ll be easy to find ones your baby will like (the hard part will be storing them all!). The best ones add to bathtime fun by building a baby’s skills. Rubber ducks and other water-loving creatures encourage imaginary play; plastic cups and sieves teach your child about filling and pouring; and letters and numbers that stick to tub tiles introduce her to ABCs and 123s.  You can bath your baby at any time of the day. It’s a good idea to pick a time when you’re relaxed and you won’t be interrupted. And it’s best to avoid bathing your baby when he’s hungry or straight after a feed. Splashing is a big part of your baby’s bath-time fun. But for many infants, the joy comes from being the splasher, not the splashee. So, as tempting as it is, refrain from splashing back. If your baby likes a bath and it seems to relax her, you can use bathing as a way to help settle her in the evening. Some babies sleep longer after an evening bath.

Don’t worry if your little one doesn’t take the bait right away. You can always bathe her two or three times a week and give a sponge wash on other days. Be patient, and before you know it, your baby’s bathtime will become a treasured part of her day.