Baby’s bath time is one of the best opportunities to really bond with your little one and create memories that’ll last a lifetime. Besides getting your baby or toddler “so fresh and so clean (clean)”, how can you make the most effective use of this time? Here are five ways to do to just that.
Get Organized
First things first. Mommy life is hard enough, amirite? So make your life about 53% easier by having all of baby’s bath time stuff in one place. I have a designated bin for all of Micah’s clean towels and washcloths on one shelf and another bin where we keep his powder, body oil, grooming items, etc. on the shelf right above. This way, before and after the bath, everything is at my fingertips and mommy doesn’t stress out. When mommy is calm, baby is calm and bath time is enjoyable for everyone!
Make it a Learning Time
This is a great time to teach your little one things like the difference between hot and cold, simple words like water, tub, soap, basically everything that makes up bath time. As you clean his hands and feet, teach him to count while scrubbing each little finger or toe. From the time Micah was an infant, I’d name each body part as I washed it. Their little brains absorb all that info like a sponge. So now, at 18 months, he’s at an age where he’s able to actually identify certain things.
Speaking of body parts, it’s never too early to start teaching them that their private areas are… private… and that outsiders shouldn’t be touching them.
Make it Fun!
Soapy bubbles can provide hours of fun for a baby but it doesn’t hurt to include a bath toy or two in case they get fussy. Micah aka #BabyBarry loves his rubber ducky but I also wanna get these foam Bath Letters and Numbers that stick right onto your tiles. So cute! And I love singing stuff like “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes”. It cleverly sneaks some learnin’ into a cute little ditty that your baby will get a kick out of.
You can even make up your own stuff! I generally stink at coming up with melodies and rhymes on the fly but when you’re a little goofy and sing in a silly voice, they love it! Listen, I made up a song about washing Micah’s “butt-butt”. LOL! Hey, as long as he’s enjoying himself, my work is done.
Use Products You Can Trust
A baby’s skin is rather sensitive when they’re tiny but even as they get older, you wanna be careful about what you’re using. In the beginning, we used SheaMoisture’s fragrance-free wash just to be on the safe side. As Micah’s skin began to adjust, I continued to look to SheaMoisture for their use of natural and organic ingredients. Like, I can pronounce their ingredients, y’all!
The hubster is sensitive to strong fragrances so we needed something that would be easy on his nose when he did bath time. The Raw Shea Chamomile and Argan Oil Head-to-Toe Wash & Shampoo was the perfect choice! It cleanses without leaving Micah’s skin dry and it leaves him smelling gorgeously clean and fresh, not too perfume-y.
Cuddle and Massage
Hugging and snuggling with your babies is bonding at its finest! Micah still loves when I swaddle him up in his comfy towel after his bath. He looks so cute and content as I wrap him up and cuddle him in my arms. Following up with a gentle massage using SheaMoisture’s Raw Shea Chamomile and Argan Oil Calm & Comfort Oil Rub helps me continue to connect with him through touch as I moisturize his skin. Between the scent and the soothing rub-down, he’s now super chill and ready to sleep.
So, you see, bath time isn’t just for unsmellifying your kid, but it can be a fun, learning and bonding experience too! š
