Benefits of a Relaxing Bath Time for Kids
Your child's nightly bath does much more than just wash away the day's grime. It's also a bonding activity that helps your little one relax, de-stress, and feel loved.1 Bath time can be fun and relaxing; having the right products that both you and your child approve of can make it even more enjoyable.
Benefits of Baths for Kids
When most parents think of their kids’ bath time routine, they envision an abundance of splashing, water down the front of their own shirt, and a bathroom floor badly in need of mopping. Children use their time in the tub to splash, play, and imagine. And along the way, water and soap are removing germs and bacteria. There are many potential benefits of baths for your little one 2,3,4:
- Bath time gives you the opportunity to spend one-on-one time with your child.
- Baths allow time for both you and your child to interact, act silly, and de-stress.
- A bath can be a good precursor to bed, so your child knows that after their bath it's time to sleep.
- Baths, remove the day's dirt, sweat, and grime, making your child feel fresh and clean.
- The right skin wash products can alleviate itching, nourish, and hydrate the skin for hours after a bath.
Aveeno® Kids Sensitive Skin Face & Body Wash(link is external) is a great choice for your kid’s bath time because it leaves their skin feeling moisturized, clean, and smelling fresh. And its hypoallergenic, which makes it suitable for kids with sensitive skin.
How to Run Your Child's Bath
As a new parent, there are bath time rules to follow to make the experience an enjoyable one. And the most important rules involve safety. This begins with the logistics of running your child's bath. Here's what you need to know:
Make Sure the Water Isn't Too Hot or Too Cold
It’s best to always test the water with your own arm or elbow before giving your child a bath. Experts recommend a water temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius for a child's bath5,6. And for even more control, try lowering the temperature on your home's hot water heater to below 120 degrees (49 degrees C). This may prevent serious burns to curious kids who are just learning how to operate your home's water faucets.
Don't Overfill the Bathtub
Toddlers and young kids will want plenty of water for splashing and playing but it's best to pay attention to how much water you're putting in. Run enough water for washing and stop when the water is level with your toddler's belly button7.
Stay in the Room and Within Easy Arm's Reach of Your Child
When bathing an infant or a young child, stay close to support them in the bath and never leave them unattended. It’s necessary to stay right by the tub and within easy reach throughout the duration of the bath, so make sure to grab towels, toys, and soap before putting your child in the bathtub8.
Choose the Right Bath Products
Young kids typically don’t need to be bathed every day and may only need to two to four times a week, depending on their daily activities. Bathing a child too frequently can lead to dry and irritated skin because our skin has natural oils and bacteria that are protective2. This is why it's important to choose the right bath time products for infants, toddlers, and older children:
Aveeno® Kids Sensitive Face & Body Wash(link is external) is specially formulated to be tear-free. And its hypoallergenic formula with oat extract is suitable for sensitive skin. It gently cleanses without drying, so kids’ sensitive skin stays feeling hydrated and moisturized.
We also recommend adding Aveeno® Kids Sensitive Skin Face & Body Gel Cream(link is external) to your kids’ bath time routine once they're out of the water. Our kid-friendly gel cream moisturizes and hydrates delicate skin for up to 24 hours. It's hypoallergenic formula with prebiotic oat is great for dry or sensitive skin.
Take the Worry Out of Childrens Bath Time with Aveeno
As a parent, you know what's right for your child. And with all you have to do and remember in a day, Aveeno's specially formulated kids’ products aim to take the worry out of children's bath time. Let Aveeno's gently scented bath products for kids help you create memories that will last forever.
Sources
- https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/pregnancy-parenting/parenting-babies-0-12-months/newborns/bathing-and-skin-care-newborn-babies-0 (link is external)
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/does-your-child-need-to-bathe-every-day-202109202598(link is external)
- https://nurturescienceprogram.org/is-your-kid-getting-all-the-benefits-of-bath-time/(link is external)
- How to Teach Children the Importance of Bathing | HPK (healthpoweredkids.org)(link is external)
- https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/infant-care/bath-safety.html (link is external)
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/healthy-baby/art-20044438#:~:text=Warm%20water%20is%20best.,100%20F%20(38%20C). (link is external)
- https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Safety_Bath_time/(link is external)
- https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/water-safety-bathroom.html(link is external)