TL;DR: Bathing a toddler is much different than bathing a baby now that they are mobile, getting dirtier, and need extra attention around water. Knowing important safety tips and ways to make bathtime fun can make it an enjoyable experience for both you and your toddler!

Toddler Bath Safety and Tips

Now that your toddler is on the move, full of energy, and curious, all while being adorably clumsy, bathtime has maybe turned from a calming experience to something a little more stressful. Bathing a toddler is different than bathing a baby, and it is important to know how to prepare, make things fun, and keep it enjoyable. Keep reading to learn more about toddler bathing safety and tips, as well as the bath time essentials you need to make it fun and safe.

What are Bath Safety Tips for Toddlers?

Here’s the hard truth: Drowning deaths are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths for children aged 0–17 years and the leading cause for those aged 1–4. Unintentional drowning death rates among children were highest for those aged 1–4, with rates decreasing from 3.2 in 1999 to 2.4 in 2019. Children aged 1–4 years had the highest rates of unintentional drowning deaths over the past 2 decades.

(source: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db413.htm )

As such, this makes bath safety extremely important for toddlers. No matter how much of a bath pro you are, do not cut any corners when it comes to water safety for the toddler in your life.

Here are our best tips:

1. Prepare. Gather any towels, shampoo, or toys well before you start your toddler’s bath, and keep them within arm’s reach of the bath.
2. Stay with your child. Once you’ve turned on the water, don’t leave your child’s side. Along with all their supplies, make sure your toddler is within arm’s reach, too. Children can drown in just 30 seconds, in as little as 1 inch of water.
3. Make it comfortable. Make sure the water isn’t too hot or too cold, and install nonslip bath mats or strips to reduce the risk of falls and slips.
4. Clean up afterward. When bathtime is over, remove their toys and put them out to dry. This way, they won’t be tempted to hop back in the bath to grab something.

Innobaby has an entire line of bath scrubs and toys that are made of silicone, meaning they are mold and mildew-resistant as well as odor-resistant. Simply shake them off after bath play time, and hang them up to dry!

How Do I Bathe a Toddler?

Bathing a toddler can be difficult, especially if they hate getting their head wet. If you’re a grandparent or caregiver to a toddler and need a refresher, or are looking for a better way to bathe your own toddler, here are some quick tips:

• Start with their head. Start by washing your child’s head, including their hair, face, neck, earfolds, and more. This is also usually the most stressful part for toddlers, so getting it out of the way first can be helpful and eliminate anxiety.
• Use a gentle soap. Make sure their soap is fragrance-free and made for babies or toddlers. This will help with eczema, rashes, and potential irritants.
• Make it fun! Bring in bath toys, fun lights, bubbles, and other things to make bath time more fun. Innobaby’s bubble solution is free of soap and detergents and made of only botanical ingredients, making it perfect fun for bathtime!

What if My Toddler Hates Bathtime?

If your toddler hates bathtime, it can create a stressful situation for you both. Here are some tips:

• Take their lead. If they are crying and miserable, don’t force fun. In addition, don’t scold them for crying, whining, or otherwise disliking the bath. Also, do your best not to lose patience with them while they are in the bath and not enjoying it. Just get them clean and try again another day.
• Prep your child. Toddlers can get more comfortable with a situation the more you educate them about it. Talk to your child about bathtime when it isn’t about to happen. Read books about bathtime, have them help you pick out toys, and talk about why bathtime is important.
• Don’t overstimulate. Bathtime can be overstimulating already for toddlers. The water, the loud faucet, and the echo-y bathroom can all be a recipe for stimulation overload. Start by keeping bathtime simple with simple toys, such as silicone scrubs and dots.

Written by Written by: Jaclyn Uloth, marketing copywriter and Mama of three boys, five and under.