Bathtime Activity: Birth to 4 Months

As you undress your baby for bathing, talk to her in a soothing voice and tell her that it's bathtime! As you take her socks off, talk to her about her little feet, and point out other body parts such as her tummy, arms, etc. As you bathe her, tell her ahead of time what you are going to do (e.g., "Now Daddy is going to wash your hair. Now I'm going to wash your tummy."). Sing songs to her, such as Sesame Street's "Rubber Duckie," while gently dancing a toy rubber duck (or other bathtime toy) in the water around her. See if she'll follow the toy with her eyes.

Possible Intervention Strategies & Supports

• Try to position your baby with her head centered over her body, in midline, looking straight forward at you during bathing. Handling her in this manner helps prepare her for moving in and out of the bath, drying her, etc.

• Massage and gentle stretching can help your baby become comfortable with being handled and moved during bathing.

• To ease constipation, try rubbing a small amount of lotion or baby oil into your hand and rub your baby's belly in a circular motion after drying.

Tips

Make sure your baby is bathed in a reclining, supportive bathtime infant seat until at least 6 months of age. If possible, try not to bathe her on a bathroom or kitchen counter, but instead place her seat inside of the bathtub. Remember that you only need a very small amount of water and it's also a good idea to place a warm washcloth on her head after you've washed her hair. This will help keep her body temperature regulated as you finish bathing her. Use a thermometer or the back of your wrist to make sure the water is not too hot or too cold.

Family Handout

Click here to download an editable one-page handout of this age range's bathtime activity, interventions, and tips.