Bathing is fun and pleasant for children—even for very young babies. However, keep in mind that small children can drown in a very small amount of water (just a few centimeters deep) in a very short amount of time. Therefore, constant supervision by parents or other adults is one of the basic safety rules and crucial for preventing drowning in young children. Never leave a child under the age of 5 alone in the bath. Not even for a second. Never leave an older child in charge of supervising a child under the age of 5 during bath time.
A very small baby who cannot yet sit up independently is usually bathed in a baby bathtub, which should:
● be made of thick plastic that will stay firm even under the weight of water
● have a wide, stable base with built-in non-slip protection to prevent it from tipping over if you lean your forearms on it
● have rounded edges and corners.
Additional bathing safety tips for children
To further increase your child’s safety during bath time, follow these tips:
● Bath rings and special seats designed for family bathtubs are often unstable and can tip over along with the child.
● Do not use tubs with soft, foam-filled inserts, as the child could tear off pieces and swallow them.
● Prepare everything you need for bathing ahead of time and keep it within arm’s reach so you never need to move away from the child. It is practical if the baby tub has slots or compartments for storing washcloths, shampoo, and other items.
● Empty the water as soon as the child is finished bathing.
● Older babies who can sit up on their own can continue using a baby tub (if it is intended for that age group—check the instructions) or can switch to a family bathtub. If using a family bathtub, always place a non-slip mat where the child can sit or use special bath seats designed for use in large tubs.
● Be aware of distractions and minimize them. Set your phone to silent and leave it outside the bathroom. If for any reason you must leave the bathroom or bathing area, always take your child with you.
● Fill the tub with only as much water as is needed for bathing and play. For very small babies, this is about 10 cm of water. For children who can sit steadily, fill the tub up to their belly button when seated. This is enough for both bathing and fun.
● Make sure the child doesn’t reach for the faucet to prevent them from turning on the water.
Preventing scalds from hot water
Young children have extremely sensitive skin, meaning they can quickly suffer burns from hot water. A safe and comfortable water temperature is 37–38°C. Always check the water temperature with a thermometer or your elbow—never your palm.
The safest way to prevent scalds from hot water is to set your water heater to a maximum of 50°C. You will still need to mix it with cold water, but the maximum water temperature will not be high enough to injure a child.
● Keep the child away from the water until you are sure the temperature is right.
● Always start by filling the tub with cold water. Then add hot water, mixing it to achieve an even temperature.
● Once the tub is filled, run cold water briefly to ensure no hot water remains in the faucet.
Extract from the brochure “Safe Childhood”, UNICEF 2020.
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