Baby bathing - but safe!

Babies love to stay in the water, as they remind the wet element directly to the first nine months of their existence in the mother's womb. The bathing ritual is usually as much fun for adults as it is for the child. How and when bathing is a matter of taste, but some rules should be kept in mind.

Fathers often have a disinclination to bathe their child - or the mothers prefer to take on this beautiful job themselves. That's a pity, because this form of preoccupation with the child can bring much close and the child's attachment and trust in the strength of the father consolidate. So do not worry, you will surely enjoy this beautiful experience.

Bathtub or bath bucket

There are different ways to bathe a baby, here decide the personal preference and the local conditions. Each form of baby bath has its peculiarities and advantages and disadvantages.

The classic baby bath is still in use frequently. She is just so big that a baby can stretch out in it. The simple plastic bowls can stand on the floor or be placed in a special stand on the bathtub. Particularly important: a safe stand. A disadvantage of the tub is that the baby must be kept stable and so comparatively little opportunity to move. For maximum safety in the tub ensure a special newborn use and a secure grip of the bathing parent. Once the baby goes under, this is not a disaster. Because in the first weeks of life, it will remember the time in the womb and stop breathing immediately and close your mouth. A foldable baby bath is especially practical in tight apartments or when traveling. It can be folded flat and stored so space-saving.

The bath bucket is suitable for the first months of life and has become very popular for babies. The bucket is simply placed on the ground or on a table. The baby stands upright in it and is kept light only on the head. Most babies love the buckets and develop an amazing joy of movement. The bath bucket needs little water and little space, but it quickly becomes too small and can therefore usually only be used in the first two to three months.

Bathing in the large bathtub is theoretically also possible from the beginning, if mom or dad with in the water. Either the baby is kept or placed safely on a floating baby mattress or in a baby bath seat. The disadvantage here is that the water temperature is likely to quickly get uncomfortable. With this form of baby bathing, you should also have a helper to help you lift the baby into the water or remove it. If the baby has become a child, who can sit safely, then it may also alone - of course under supervision - in the tub. So that it is not too slippery, a corresponding bath mat or simply a large terry towel can be placed on the bottom of the tub.

Safety rules at the baby bath

In general, when bathing in a baby, various safety rules should be followed so that the baby can enjoy the bath and the risk of accidents is greatly reduced:

• For the first baths, it is advisable to be a couple until all processes are safe.

• Baby bath or bath tub should not be too full. For newborns, a level in the bathtub of about 1/3, on the bath bucket appropriate markings are found.

• The bath temperature must be right. It is essential to use a thermometer. Optimal is a temperature of 36 to 37 degrees.

• Newborns should not bathe too long, about five minutes are enough for the beginning.

• If the baby is in the water, it should be kept safe all the time, so that it does not make any negative first experiences.

• Babies should never be left alone in the bathwater if something important is missing, call someone, take the baby out of the bath or improvise.

• A wet baby is slippery. Therefore, it must be held tight when taken out of the tub or bucket.

At first, the baby does not need bath additives at all or only to a small extent. Suitable are organic baby bath oils or high-quality olive oil (careful slippery!) Or other mild bath products. Under no circumstances should you use conventional bubble bath, as this puts unnecessary stress on the skin. The resulting foam can lead to additional safety risks.