Safe bath tips for 12 to 24 month old babies

Giving your baby a daily bath will help keep the body clean and prevent skin problems. However, at each age, there are always different ways to bathe to ensure safety for children. So how should children from 12-24 months old bathe them?

The timing of a newborn's first bath has changed over the years. While medical facilities typically bathe babies within 1 to 2 hours of birth, many others are trying to change this practice. The World Health Organization recommends that infants should not be bathed for the first 24 hours. Here are some reasons why bathing your baby should be delayed until at least 24 hours after birth:
Baby's body temperature and blood sugar: Babies who are bathed right away are susceptible to colds and hypothermia. The stress of early bathing can also cause low blood sugar in babies. Bathing too early can disrupt mother and baby's skin-to-skin contact as well as early breastfeeding. One study found that breastfeeding success rates were increased by 166% after delaying bathing for the first 12 hours compared with babies given a bath within the first few hours. Dry skin: Vernix, a waxy white substance that coats the skin of babies, acts as a natural moisturizer and has very good anti-bacterial properties. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), it's best to let vernix sit on an infant's skin for a while to help keep their delicate skin from drying out. This is especially important for premature birth because the baby's skin is very vulnerable. It should be noted that babies born to HIV-infected mothers should be bathed after the first feeding to reduce the risk of exposure to health care workers and their family members. Newborns also don't need a daily bath. Baby's body is rarely sweaty or dirty enough to need frequent baths.

Bath time can be an enjoyable time for parents to share in the joys of their babies. However, this is also a time when a lot of caution is needed from fathers, mothers or caregivers. Here are some tips to keep in mind to keep your baby safe during the bath:
First and foremost rule: Never leave your baby alone in the bathroom for even a minute. Children can completely drown even though the water level is only about 2cm high. Please prepare all necessary items such as soap, towels... before bathing the child. In the event of an important event such as someone ringing the door or the phone ringing, wrap your baby in a towel and carry her with you. Do not put the child in the tub while the bath water is being mixed. Because the high temperature can cause the baby to burn. Make the bath safe: Bathtubs are extremely slippery, so equip your baby's tub with a rubber mat for a more secure seat. The padded spout cover can protect your child's head from bumps that cause pain to your baby. Also, make sure any sliding glass shower doors are made from safety glass. Keep the bath water at a safe warm level. Babies and toddlers often prefer a cooler bath much more than you do. Don't put too much water in the tub - never more than waist-high (in a sitting position) for toddlers and older children. Use a tub made for babies. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends a hard plastic baby tub with a sloped, textured surface or a sling to keep your baby from slipping. Only use infant bath tubs manufactured on or after October 2, 2017 to meet applicable safety standards. Some parents even have their own creative way when bathing their children in a sink lined with clean towels. This really makes bathing your baby easy and convenient, but there are a few points to keep in mind. The sink is slippery and has all sorts of things that can be dangerous for your baby like faucets and handles.

Teach your baby to sit firmly in the tub or tub Some soaps, shampoos and foams can dry out and irritate your baby's skin, so choose products made specifically for babies and use them sparingly. in every bath. Besides, soap and shower gel can also irritate the urethra, increasing the risk of urinary tract infections, so children should be allowed to freely play in the water before using soap. Do not let your child touch the handle of the faucet. Even if your baby can't lift them, trying to do so carries the risk of serious injury. Note to keep electrical appliances such as hair dryers, curling irons, electric kettles... away from the bath, it is best to leave them outside the bathroom and only use them after making sure to dry the person. young. Bathing children is one of the exciting jobs for parents. It is a great time to strengthen the bond between family members and children and also a great time for children to enjoy the feeling of being clean. However, parents also need to pay attention to apply some of the tips mentioned above to ensure the safety of children during the bath.
Children in the period from 6 months to 3 years old are very susceptible to respiratory problems, respiratory infections, skin diseases and gastrointestinal infections ... parents need special attention attention to the care and provision of adequate nutrition for children.
For more nutritional knowledge and child care for each age, parents should regularly visit the website vimec.com and make an appointment with the leading doctors, pediatric and nutrition experts of the National General Hospital. Vinmec when needing advice on children's health.

References: babycenter.com, healthychildren.org