Bathing your baby can either be a bonding moment filled with giggles and games, or a time of crying, struggle, and stress. Some kids always love bath time, but others might grow to dislike it. If your child gets upset for bath, it can disrupt your peace and turn your evening routine into chaos.
But don’t worry, we’ve got some sure-fire tips to make bath time less of a battle:
Check the problem:
If your toddler starts dreading baths, try to understand why. Did they slip in the tub, get soap in their eyes, or was the water too hot or cold? Maybe they got scared wondering where the water goes when it drains, or simply, they don’t want to stop playing. Or maybe, the bath product scent bothers them. Start by asking your child if they can tell you what’s wrong.
Make it exciting:
Introducing bathtub games or toys that are only brought out at bath time can make bath a fun event. Turning a bath into playtime can even overpower the resentment from interrupting their other fun activities.
Add some color:
Kids are in awe of color-changing phenomena. Add safe bath color tablets to change the water to their favorite color. This can also distract them from the angst of the drain.
Swap bath time with story time:
If your child has a favorite story that they always ask for, save it for bath time. Start reading when they get fussy. And once they’re clean and dry, continue the tale. It could be a great incentive for them.
Make the bathroom a fun place:
Bathrooms can be intimidating with its big fixtures and scary drains. Brighten it up with bath towels of their favorite characters, glow-in-the-dark, bathtub supports, or even play their favorite bath songs. But remember to gradually phase out these distractions over time.
Let them play in a dry tub:
You might consider allowing your toddler to play in the tub without water for a while. Once they’re comfortable, start filling the tub with water gradually while narrating a fun story about a character that loves water.
Rewards for good behavior:
Children love to see their progress. Create a sticker chart for each successful bath, or add coins to a jar. These tangible rewards can motivate them to behave better during baths.
Bubble baths could help:
Bubbles can make bath time fascinating. Kids rarely resist the chance to create, chase or pop bubbles.
Let them test the water:
If your child fears the water temperature, let them test it after you’ve checked it’s safe. They’ll feel more in control.
Invest in a bath visor:
For kids who’ve had an unfortunate slip or soap in their eyes, a bath visor can provide a safety solution. This can help keep soap and water out of their eyes.
Baths are crucial for hygiene. Nothing can sour your experience more than your toddler’s tears. Hopefully, these tips can make bath time a smooth and fun experience. Give a few of these tricks a go and see what works best for your little one.
This information is brought to you by Rachel Burns, an experienced copywriter and photographer with a design diploma. She collaboratively works with startups, entrepreneurs, bloggers, and corporate clients from around the world. A passionate hiker, reader, cook and a family woman!
