Your child’s health depends on many things.
Bathing your toddler regularly and keeping him/her clean is very important.
Bathing toddlers is very similar to bathing infants. Make sure the face, neck,
underarms, folds of skin, and genitals are clean.
When your child is too big for the infant tub,
you can bathe him/her in the bathtub. Use a bath mat to keep the child from
slipping. Make sure the water is only about 3 – 4 inches deep and is warm but
not hot. Test the temperature of the water with your elbow or wrist to see if
it is too hot. NEVER LEAVE YOUR CHILD ALONE IN THE WATER!
Keeping a child clean is also important to
prevent illness. Keep a washcloth or baby wipes available so that you can keep
the child’s face and hands clean during the day. Clean the child after each
meal, and change his/her clothes if they become dirty during the day. Hand
washing with soap is one of the easiest ways that you can help prevent
sickness. For more information, complete the lesson on “Preventing Illness”.
Bath time with a toddler is a special learning
time. You can spend valuable time with your child talking and playing with toys
and books made especially for bath time. Foam letters, numbers and shapes are
available at most discount stores. These foam toys will stick to the tub or
tile when wet. Some toys can be a choking hazard, so be sure the toys you
choose are appropriate for the age of your child.
Changing diapers immediately also helps keep
your baby healthy. This prevents uncomfortable rashes and skin irritation by
keeping the skin clean and dry. Always wash your hands after changing each
diaper.
Even at this early stage, your child(ren)’s
teeth are very important. Never put a baby to bed with a bottle or drink sugary
drinks like juice before bedtime. This will increase the risks of tooth
decay. For more information, complete the lesson on Dental Hygiene.
Each
time you click on a link below, a new window will open. To return to
this page, close the new window.
Activity 1:
Below you will find
one article about bathing older babies and one article about bathing toddlers.
You will read about safety and learning. Fill in the blanks on your activity
hand out.