5 Rules for Baby's Bathtime

Bath time is a very important ritual for the new baby. Besides keeping baby clean, bath time is a way for parents to bond with baby; it is also an important tool to calm him down and prepare for nap-time and bedtime. Babies like routines ; and this one can be a very important routine in establishing a naptime and bedtime schedule. Baby should be bathed at least once a day in a full bath. Sponge bathes can work for an instant clean up after meals or a diaper change.

There only five requirements for a proper bath time.

• Small plastic bath tub
• Baby bath soap and shampoo
• Super thirsty hooded towel
• Soft washcloth
• Rubber toy

Rule #1: Never put the bath tub up high where it can tip over and baby can fall out. Buy an inexpensive light weight plastic tub for baby. Fill the plastic tub with luke warm water and only fill it a few inches deep. Test the water on your own hand to make sure it is the right temperature.The best place for baby's plastic tub is in a shower or bath tub. Never leave the baby for even a single second while he is in the bath. The time spent answering a phone call; is just enough time for baby to have a serious accident.

Rule #2: Use approved baby products to wash baby. The skin is our largest organ and a newborn's skin is very delicate and sensitive; always use products that are specific for baby. Check ingredients to make sure they areas mild and as hypoallergenic as possible. Only use a little bit; after all, how dirty can a little baby be.

Rule #3: A hooded bath towel or baby towel is one of the essentials for any layette. You need a minimum of two baby towels so that you always have a clean one. The more towels you can buy the better so that your time spent laundering is less. You cannot substitute an adult towel for a baby towel because the terry in a high quality baby towel like 3 Marthas baby towels is always 100% cotton and extra soft and absorbent. Secondly, all of your baby clothes and towels need to be washed in baby detergent which is gentle to baby's delicate skin. If you dry baby with an adult towel or one not washed in baby detergent; your baby could easily develop a rash.

Rule #4: Use only a baby wash cloth.Baby wash clothes are smaller and softer than regular ones. An adult washcloth is too rough and too large to clean tiny fingers and toes.

Rule #5: Always put a cute rubber toy in the bath. Bath time should always be fun. By including a rubber ducky or squirty in the bath, baby will look forward to playing with this bath time friend. Hint: Don't let him play with this toy unless it is during his bath.

Dots and lines create a plush baby towel for beach or bath