Cuidado de la piel del bebé

How to Bathe Your Toddler

Bathing your toddler can be a fun experience for both parent and child. Your toddler can now sit up unaided in the bathtub and play independently. You may have a hard time getting them into the bath and then an even harder job getting them out! Bath time can be a wonderful time of the day for everyone involved and may be a highlight for some toddlers who enjoy water play. They may not even notice they are getting cleaned up at the same time. Here are a few tips for your toddler’s bath time.

Toddler bath tips

Give a few minutes' warning before starting so your toddler will be ready to move from their current activity to bath time.
Gather everything you will need from start to finish so you are not tempted to run to get it later.
Even though your toddler is sitting up, they should never be left unattended while in the bath. Not even for a moment.
Commercial bath seats or rings are not recommended and have been associated with injuries and drowning deaths.
If you forget something, or need to leave the bathroom, take your child with you wrapped up in a towel.
Remember that bathtubs are very slippery! Use a rubber bathmat or install no-slip strips to prevent falls when getting in and out of the tub.
Implement a “no standing in the bath” rule from a very early age.
Bath water should be warm but not hot—the ideal temperature is 98 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Keep your toddler away from the faucet handles and turn your water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent accidental burns if the hot water faucet gets turned on.
Allow some independence and encourage them to start washing themselves. Make the bath playful and fun. Disposable washcloth products with product pre-loaded can also be handy for this.
Use baby cleansers and shampoos sparingly and rinse well.
Bath toys are great fun for a toddler. Rotate them to keep them interesting.
A pair of goggles in the bath can be their first introduction to swimming with their face in the water. They are great for practicing bubble blowing.
Give a warning a few minutes before bath time ends to avoid protests.
Have their towel and pajamas ready when they are done.

The information of this article has been reviewed by nursing experts of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, & Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). The content should not substitute medical advice from your personal healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for recommendations/diagnosis or treatment. For more advice from AWHONN nurses, visit Healthy Mom&Baby at health4mom.org.