When can my baby use a regular bathtub?

Baby bath time is such a fun time for parents and caregivers to bond with their little one(s). It’s also a time to look at your baby’s body to check that he/she is healthy. When you choose to stop using a baby bath is your personal choice. Your decision should be based upon the needs of your baby.

Consider your baby’s growth, age, needs, and your personal preferences.

Below are some suggestions regarding when to transition your baby to regular baths:

1. When your baby outgrows the baby bath

Some babies grow faster than others. Don’t be surprised to discover that your 4-month-old baby is already as big as your friend’s 9-month-old.

This crazy growth differences happen. In these situations, you may notice your baby doesn’t fit in the baby bath anymore. Or perhaps the baby bath is now uncomfortable for your baby to use.

Safety First!

No matter the situation, always practice safety first. Make sure you have ways to support your baby while they are bathing, baby bath or otherwise.

Some parents like to bathe together with their children. If you choose to bond in this way, please exercise extreme caution so you do not slip while holding your little one.

A smooth transition from baby bath to the tub

Try laying down a towel or skid-free bath math with comfortable padding to your tub. This can increase your baby’s comfort. Additionally, these mats create friction and help to prevent slipping and sliding the tub.

Make sure you fill the tub just a little to allow your baby’s face and chest to remain above water for their safety.

Never take your eyes off your baby in the tub! Not even for a second! Whatever it is can wait. Arrange everything ahead of time and have it within reach so you won’t have to turn away from your baby.

Also, free your time during your baby’s bath time to avoid interruptions and distractions.

2. When you are ready

Maybe you feel your baby is ready to stop using a baby bath, but you aren’t. Is your lifestyle a bit too chaotic right now to undertake such a change?

That’s ok, too. In order to be the best parent possible, you have to take care of your own needs as well.

If you find it’s easier for you to bathe your baby without the baby tub, then that’s a solution that’s comfortable for yourself and your baby.

This is your life. You are allowed to create whatever works best for you and your baby.

The entire purpose of baby baths is to ensure the safety of your baby during bath time. Moreover, baby baths provide a positive experience for yourself and your baby. During bath time, your baby may begin exploring his or her imagination.

Just remember, it’s very important to ensure optimal comfort for yourself too. When you’re comfortable with your choices, your baby will sense this and respond accordingly.

3. At 9-months

At the age of 9 months-old is usually the time when most parents transition their baby to the tub. At this time your baby is mobile, curious and can sit on their own.

To re-emphasize our earlier point: Make sure your bath always has a baby bath seat that comes with a skid-free padded mat. This is to increase friction to protect your baby.

Make bathtime fun!

Check the temperature in the bathroom. Make sure it’s warm for your baby.

This will help to create a positive experience and reinforce in your baby’s mind that bathtime is fun.

How long will bathing my baby take?

It will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes to bathe your baby. Allow him/her to play in the tub while you watch. After some time, go ahead and bathe your little bundle of joy.

Using a hands clock, explain to them that bath time ends when the long hand reaches here. This can help your little one learn to read time too!

When done correctly, bathtime can be an activity your baby will look forward any time.

Remember to always keep an eye on your baby. Even if he/she has a bath seat, you must stay close. Keep your eyes and hands close too. You are your baby’s safest bet.

4. When you have more than one child

Bath time does not have to be stressful.

It is important to make sure that all your children are clean. If your baby can sit unaided, you can combine bath time with their sibling(s). Assuming your tub is big enough, you can bathe all of your children at one time now.

It’s a great way to take some of the anxiety out of it if your baby sees that big brother and/or big sister love bathtime too! Make it something fun for them to do together.

Remember those embarrassing photos from your childhood in the bathtub? Yep, your parents had to transition you to the tub at one point too.

5. Ensuring a gentle transition from the baby bath

If you find that baths are the most effective way to bathe your baby, you can place their baby tub in the bathroom. This might help with gently transitioning to a larger space.

Start by removing your baby’s tub.

Once again, don’t forget to use a baby-friendly mat along the bottom of your tub.

Always ensure your baby has your 100% undivided attention.

Your baby’s face and chest should be above water at all times.

6. If your bathtub is more comfortable

It is important to sync your lifestyle to your baby’s needs.

If bathing your baby in your bathtub seems to be a comfortable arrangement for everyone, then do so.

Just make sure you take all the precautions you need to. This includes ensuring the tub as a friction skid-free surface that will help keep your baby safe in the tub, no matter their age. We cannot emphasize this point enough.

Making sure you add a padded surface to your tub ensures your baby is nice and comfortable. This is important for all babies, but especially those who cannot support themselves yet.

What temperature should I make my baby’s bath?

Set the water temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit when bathing your baby. Don’t allow your baby to access the faucet. Don’t allow your baby to adjust the water temperature or hit their head.

How much water should I put in my baby’s bath?

Have the tub filled with only a few inches of water and adjust according to your baby’s comfort level. Also make sure the bathroom is nice and warm during bathtime to make sure your baby stays comfortable at all times.

Conclusion

Babies love being clean. It’s the reason they cry when they need a change.

Bath time is an opportunity to create a positive experience for yourself and your baby. A positive experience will build their confidence in the bath, teach them to value cleanliness and make it an activity they actually look forward to. In turn, this will make bathtime easier on you.

It will also ensure your baby is clean and healthy at all times… not to mention, he/she will smell great! Not bathing babies often leads the baby to become restless, irritable and stressed.

It could be the cause of your baby’s crying. Next time your baby is inconsolable, ask yourself when you last gave them a nice warm bath.

Remember this: your baby is spitting up and pooping all day. Bath time is imperative.

Take some time to ensure bathtime is a safe, clean, and fun experience for you and your baby.