How to Bathe a Toddler

Babies are easy to clean compared to a slippery, soap-covered toddler who moves to the opposite side of the tub when it's time to rinse. Here are some steps cope with the fussiest bather.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• No-tears shampoo
• Mild soap
• Wash cloth and towels
• Bath toys
• Bath crayons
• Spoons and small plastic bowls
• Cotton swabs
• Toothpaste and tooth brush

Getting Them Clean

1. Make the bath water warm, but not hot. Remember that your hands are tough and cannot feel heat like a toddler's bottom can feel it.

2. Place your child in the tub, or let him step into the bath with your help. Make sure the child sits and does not stand in the tub.

3. Tell your child to look up at the shower nozzle and close her eyes. Pour water over her hair, keeping it from running down her face as much as possible. By this age the toddler should be used to having water poured over her head.

4. Massage shampoo into the hair and quickly rinse it out using the same method as in Step 3. Shampoo with conditioner added is useful when you have children with long hair that tangles easily.

5. Lather up a wash cloth with a mild soap and wash the important areas first with light gentle strokes. Concentrate on hands, feet, face and between the legs.

6. Clean your child's ears with a cotton swab. Only clean the outer areas that you can see. Avoid sticking the swab into the ear canal.

7. Brush his teeth as a last step before exiting the tub. The tub is an fun place for your toddler to learn to spit toothpaste out of his mouth.

Distractions in the Tub

8. Blow bubbles in the tub while you are bathing your child. She might not realize that mom is washing her hair while she is popping bubbles.

9. Draw pictures in the bath tub with colored soap or bath crayons. You can draw a head and have your child finish its face while you wash. Make sure these crayons will wash off your bath tub before using them.

10. Incorporate interesting bath toys every night. You can buy bath tub toys, or you can use spoons and plastic containers. Toddlers love to pour water in and out of small bowls. Switch the toys with new ones each week.

11. Create "bath soup" while you wash your child. Have your child stir up a bowl of soup made from bath water, a bit of shampoo, hair conditioner or liquid soap. Make sure your child does not eat it; let her dump it into the tub after you are finished.

12. Take your clothes off and join your child if it makes bath time easier and less stressful.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy a bath mat or textured bath stickers to keep your child from slipping.
• Wrap a big wet wash cloth around the faucet or cover it with a fun faucet cover so your child won't hurt his head.

Resources

• Learn from experts and other parents on the BabyCenter website.
• OneStepAhead carries unique bath toys and safety products for children of all ages.

[Allandra]

on 7/22/2007 My toddler loves those bubble baths. I also keep a handy assortment of bath toys nearby, just take out two to three at a time then rotate the toys.

DO NOT ever leave your toddler alone in the bath for even a few seconds.