Question: When Should I Stop Using a Baby Bath?
A mom asks:
"My daughter is nearly a year old and we are still using the baby bath. She was a preemie and has a small frame so she still fits quite well. We even use the kitchen sink sometimes. When should I stop using a baby bath and move to the regular tub?"
Answer: There's really no fixed rule about when you should stop using a baby bath. While your child's size can have a lot to do with why you switch, other (some children just outgrow the baby bath so it's plain and simple) other factors come into play as well. Maybe your baby bath is a particularly large one or perhaps your child is sitting up but doesn't have very good control over her body, yet. Maybe you just want to save water or get your money's worth from the baby bath. These are all reasons why you might want to keep using a baby bath and they're all perfectly fine. Do whatever you're comfortable with and works for your child. There's no harm in that.
Here are some tips that might help once you do start thinking about leaving the baby bath behind:
Move the Baby Bath into the Regular Tub to Transition
If you've been using the baby bath somewhere other than the bathroom, you might try moving it into the bathroom for a while and then putting it right into the regular bathtub to help your child transition. It can be a bit scary the first few times in the tub, especially if your child isn't fond of baths in the first place. This is especially true if you've been using one of the
European-style tubs that offers a very tight, comfy fit and a place to rest her back against. Those are a far cry from the wide-open family tub.
Make sure you have everything you need at your side so you're not tempted to leave the room or turn your back on your child. She'll need your constant supervision during every bath in the regular tub just like she did when you had her in the baby bath. Make sure the room is warm and test the water before you place your child in it. Start with just an inch or two of water and transition to more as your child gets older and is better able to control her body. It doesn't take much of a
wave to knock a child over and under the water possibly making her fearful in the future.
Help with Back Pain
Some parents and other caregivers are reluctant to move from a baby bath to the big tub because all that bending over causes back strain. If that's the case, using a
clean kitchen sink (as long as your child still fits) is helpful since you can stand. If this isn't possible, have a parent who doesn't have back issues or another caregiver take care of bath time instead or keep baths short -- just long enough to get the job done. Another solution: One parent I know kept a special sling just for bath time and would pop her child in and they'd take a shower together. Do whatever it takes to keep your child clean and you pain-free.
Try a Bath Seat if Your Toddler Still Needs Help Sitting
Most parents transition out of the baby bath when their child is sitting well. If that's not your child, you can still make the move if you'd like by using a bath seat. Bath seats can also help keep your child from wandering around the tub or laying down in the tub if that's not something you want her to do.
A Note on Soaps and Shampoos
Also, just a word of advice on soaps and shampoos: I say keep using the tear-free versions for as long as possible. They're very effective and it really does take toddlers a while to perfect getting their hair rinsed out without getting anything in their eyes. They're also prolific splashers, so soapy bath water always manages to get in their eyes, too. Once you've had a burning, stinging, soap-in-the-eyes, screaming, crying meltdown it's hard to regain that trust from your toddler again. Washing hair can then become a battle. Stick with the tear-free soaps and shampoos to be on the safe side.
