Babies and water don't always mix safely. Here are ways to bathe your baby that may help prevent accidents.
Drowning is a leading cause of death in young children - it only takes seconds and inches. In the USA, drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1-4 years old.
Baby Bath Accessories For Safer Routines: Why You Should Think Twice About Infant Bath Seats
In the rush to make bath time faster, easier, and more convenient for parents , manufacturers have designed a wide variety of products - such as bath seats and rings that secure to the rim of the bathtub. But bath seats, which allow a baby to sit upright in the water, have caused many infant deaths, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The CPSC is issuing a safety standard for infant bath seats in response to the direction under section 104(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). This standard will help prevent injuries and deaths from tips or lapses in adult supervision of infants using bath seats. There's no substitute for adult supervision during bath time.
The CPSC ruling defines an infant bath seat as "any device with a rigid back that's intended to support an infant in a sitting position while the infant is in water." The rule for the safety standard for infant bath seats will become effective on December 6, 2010 and apply to products manufactured or imported on or after that date. The safety standard includes performance requirements and testing for bath seats - including stability, durability, and leg support; warning labels; and instructions for bath seats.
Infant Drowning Statistics Every Parent Should Know
Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death in children 1 to 4 years old. In addition to deaths, there are also reports of near-drownings from bath seats.
Near-drownings can cause brain damage and result in long-term complications, such as memory problems - learning disabilities, and other intellectual impairments. Most of the incidents reported to the CPSC occurred when a baby was left unattended in a bath seat. The child either slipped out of the seat or fell headfirst into the shallow end of the tub.
Baby Bath Accessories That Can Help Keep Bath Time Safe
These products were designed to make bath time safer and easier for parents and caregivers. They're not meant to be used as substitutes for adult supervision, and parents should think twice before using bath seats, which have been associated with infant deaths.
Some bath supports, like the Contours Oasis 4-in-1 Comfort Cushion Baby Bath Tub - are designed for use with a baby from birth through age 2 or 3. The lightweight, portable bath tub alternative can be used in a sink, washtub, or kitchen countertop, according to the manufacturer.
Wirecutter recommends the Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Sling 'n Seat Tub as its top baby bathtub. Made of soft - pliable plastic, it's easy to clean and dry, and the nonslip base stays put on the countertop or in the sink. It has been Wirecutter's top pick since 2018.
The manufacturer says the product is perfect for infants from birth through age 3 because it grows with the child and can be used four different ways, including as a sling-style bath for newborns, a reclining seat for infants - a supported seat for early sitters, and a learning seat for independent sitters. Wirecutter notes some assembly is required to move the tub from one stage to another.
The Angelcare Soft Touch Baby Bath Support also lets you grow the bath setup as your child grows. The bath support is designed to fit snugly into a regular-sized bathtub, according to the manufacturer. The current version is polyester, not mesh, and is easier to clean than previous versions.
Made for babies from 5 to 30 pounds - the bath support features rubber grips on the bottom to prevent slipping.
For concerned parents and caregivers, there are a variety of bath time products that can make giving a baby a bath less stressful. These bath tubs, bath seats, and bath-time floaties can help make bathtime safer, but they're not meant to be substitutes for adult supervision. Never leave a child unattended in the bathtub - even for a second.
Tips for Safer Bath Time With Your Baby
The following tips can help make bath time safer for you and your baby.
- Never leave a baby unattended in the bathtub, even for a second. Keep your baby within arm's reach at all times, even when using a bath seat or bath support. Keep toys outside the bathtub to reduce the risk of slipping.
- Use a bath thermometer to make sure the water isn't too hot. The water temperature should be comfortably warm to avoid scalding your baby. Use your elbow, wrist, or the inside of your forearm to test the water temperature before putting your baby in the tub. Testing the water with your hand may not be accurate because the water may feel cool when your baby's sensitive skin touches it.
References
- for the safety standard for - federalregister.gov
- Soft Touch Baby Bath Support - motherandbaby.com
