Bath time with your new grandchild can be a tub full of fun, but since handling a wet infant can be like trying to hold onto a greased pig, it can also be a little intimidating if you haven't done it in a while.
Baths haven't changed much since your kids were toddlers, of course, although today's parents may be more likely to invest in seats and rings designed to keep little ones secure while they get cleaned up. Not that those old methods were so bad. “When mine were born, we were so young and broke we just used to use the sink to give baths," says Marian Merewitz, a Brookeville, Md., grandmother of four. "That worked great and wasn't as hard on the back either.” Rest assured, the kitchen sink is still a viable option for infants today. For some other tips on making bath time as safe and as much fun as possible, read on:
Rule No. 1.
The first rule of bathing children is to never leave them unattended, not for a minute, not for a moment. When in doubt, see Rule No. 1. Children can drown in less than two inches of water, and they can do so quickly. “Never, never, never take your eyes off the baby,” says Laura Hunter, a pediatric nurse in Atlanta and the coauthor of The Moms on Call Guide to Basic Baby Care: The First 6 Months (Revell, 2007). Let your phone go to voice mail, she says, make whoever's knocking on the door wait, and focus entirely on the little ones. Always stay within easy arm’s reach of a baby.
Splish-splash when the mood strikes.
Baths aren’t just for Saturday night, but for infants, they don’t need to happen every night either. Assuming their diaper area is kept clean, babies only need to be bathed about three to five times a week, Hunter says. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, more bathing than that during the first year could lead to dry skin. Check with your grandchild’s parents to learn their preferences for how often, and at what time of day, to bathe the baby. But if you're babysitting for just one day or night and for whatever reason don't feel comfortable bathing an infant on your own, don't feel obligated.
Take your temperature.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends setting your home water heater thermostat at a maximum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid potential burns. Kevin Osborn, coauthor of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Bringing Up Baby (Alpha, 2007), suggests testing the water with your elbow to make sure it’s at a comfortable temperature for an infant. Also, when turning off the water after filling the tub, always stop the hot water first, then the cold. “That way, the faucet and any water that drips from it into the sink or tub will not be scalding hot,” Osborn says. (Some experts also recommend placing a rubber or foam cover or washcloth over the bath faucet to prevent infants from hitting their heads or getting their hands inside. Others think the covers attract children's attention and keep them from learning that faucets can be dangerous. In the end, it's your call.)
Assemble your arsenal.
Bath time goes more smoothly — and more safely — if you get everything you need on hand before you bring the baby in, Osborn says. That way, you can keep attention focused on the baby and not have to go searching for anything while the child is in the water. (See Rule No. 1.) Your lineup should probably include a washcloth, a large cup for rinsing, soap and shampoo (if necessary), and a hooded towel. For after the bath, near your changing pad or table you'll probably also want to set out the parents' preferred lotion, a clean diaper, and fresh clothes or pajamas.
A seat on the side.
Hunter is a fan of bathing babies in regular tubs as soon as their umbilical cords fall off. To make it a little easier to manage, she recommends keeping a bouncy seat covered with a bath towel right next to the tub. It serves as a great, safe spot to strap the baby in while you’re running the bath, or if you should have to take the child out of the tub and leave the bathroom for an emergency.
This is your moment.
Bath time is a great opportunity to spend relaxed, quality time with your grandchildren when they’re not otherwise distracted. Make it part of a cherished bedtime ritual when grandchildren sleep over, with a bath followed by a story and some chatter before lights out. “The time between awake and asleep," Hunter says, "is a great time to connect with our children."
Get more new-grandbaby tips from Grandparents.com:
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