How to Enjoy Bathing Your Child

Bath time is supposed to be an enjoyable time for babies. It is a special time for the baby and mother to come in close contact with each other. The soft gentle physical contact during bath time strengthens the child's confidence and relation with the mother. But it is not always so. Many first time mothers complain about babies who cry when they are bathed. They hate taking a bath is what they say. Some babies even stop breathing with terror.

Many people advice such mothers that, they should not pamper their child. All babies cry, the baby will get used to it and such other naïve suggestions are commonly heard.
The real solution is to understand the baby. Some of the things that babies get scared of are:
Hot water
Cold water
Slippery surfaces
Burning sensation in the eyes or on the skin
Water going into their ears
Water being poured over their heads
Water being thrown on them with a splash

How to avoid scaring a baby during bath?

- Check the temperature of the water. The best temperature is body temperature. Hot water and cold water is not liked by babies. Pour the water over your own hand first. It should feel like your body temperature. When the water flows over the baby's body, it should make him feel that his mother is caressing him.

- If the baby cries when you place him in the tub, maybe it is scared of slipping.

This can be mended by placing a towel at the bottom of the tub and making the baby sit on it. This gives the baby a sense of support and security. The baby feels that everything is in control. The same is true for infants who have learnt to sit and stand. If they slip once they will remember it the next time they are taken for a bath. This can be solved in the same way by placing baby on a towel on the stool or making him stand on a folded towel that will absorb the soapy water near his feet.

- Don't force the baby/child into the bathroom. If the child has had a scary experience in the bathroom, allow him to forget it. You could sponge him with some warm water for a few days and later, check if he is ready for the bath and then bathe him.

- Use baby ear plugs or simply use cotton ear plugs so that the bath water does not go into his ears.

- While pouring water over the baby's head, do not pour the water in a big splash. First remove the soap with a wash cloth. Make him look up at a toy hung up at a height and then let the water gently flow over from the crown of his head down the nape. If he doesn't like it and looks down, keep a soft absorbent cloth ready at your waist for him to wipe away the soapy water from his eyes.

- If the baby cries as soon as you apply soap, try a different brand of soap. Sometimes even the soaps which are specially made for babies may not suit your little one.

- Talk a lot to your baby in gentle, cooing tones. Sprinkle water on yourself and then on him. Let him also splash water on you. You could let him wet your face and laugh.
Your baby will look forward to being bathed by you. Happy laughs.