Bathing your baby safely
Whatever the accessories used during your baby's bath, whether a bath bouncer or a ring, the gestures surrounding this ritual are always important.
The temperature in the bathroom should be between 22 and 25°. The water temperature should be 37°. If you do not have a thermometer, you can dip your elbow to check if the water temperature is suitable. Whether you use the bathroom bath or a baby bath, it is not necessary to overfill it: 10 to 15 centimetres of water is sufficient.
All toiletries, products and accessories should be within easy reach, as you should not let your baby out of your sight. You can soap your baby on the changing table when undressing or directly in the bathtub, always from the cleanest to the dirtiest place. As soon as your baby is ready for a bath, prepare a dry towel on the changing table to welcome him or her out.
The bath bouncer, to be used from birth
From the moment your baby returns from the maternity ward until he or she can sit up on his or her own, you should hold your baby in the bath. To do this, you need to put your forearm under the back of the baby's neck and hold it firmly under the armpit.
To make it easier, you can also use a bath bouncer. It has the advantage of leaving both hands free for you to cuddle your baby while he or she is being washed. The bath bouncer helps you from birth to about 6 months, keeping your baby in a semi-recumbent position. It is made of plastic, either hard or soft, and sometimes with a woven cover for extra comfort.
To prevent the bouncer from slipping, it is usually fitted with a suction cup or non-slip base. It can be used in the bathroom bath or in a baby bath.
The bath ring, as soon as your baby can sit up
From the age of 6 months, when your baby starts to sit up, it's time to use a bath ring. This accessory consists of feet that are attached to the bottom of the bathtub, connected to a ring that holds your child around the waist. To prevent slipping, the bath ring can be fitted with a harness to support it under the buttocks. Without a harness, you should place your baby's legs on either side of one of the ring's legs.
The bath ring allows your baby to play safely and discover new sensations, always under your supervision. It can be used in the bathroom bathtub until about 10 months. It is also compatible with use in a shower tray.
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