How to Bathe a Toddler in a Full-Size Tub

A baby bathtub is handy when your child is small, but once she becomes a toddler, she̵7;ll be too big to comfortably bathe in it. Bathing your child in a full-size tub isn̵7;t too much of a drastic change, but you do have to be conscious of her hitting her head on the bath faucet or slipping around in the larger space. As long as you̵7;re there regulating her movements and how active her bath time is, she̵7;ll be safe and it̵7;ll end with a squeaky clean kiddo.

Things You'll Need

  • Bath toys
  • Plastic cup
  • Tear-free, fragrance-free kids' shampoo or all-in-one hair and body wash
  • Conditioner or leave-in conditioner, if desired
  • Mild soap or all-in-one wash
  • Washcloths
  • Towel
  • No-slip bathtub strips
  • Faucet protector

Instructions

    • 1

      Plug the bathtub drain and fill the tub with approximately 6 inches or less of warm water. Always test the water temperature with your wrist before placing your toddler in the water. Hot water can burn your child̵7;s skin, and cold water can make bath time unpleasant.

    • 2

      Toss in a few waterproof bath toys to keep your kiddo busy and entertained while she gets clean.

    • 3

      Undress your child, bend at the knees and gently lift your child into the tub. Have her sit in the tub, not stand.

    • 4

      Pour some water over your toddler̵7;s hair and head, using a plastic cup. Ask your toddler to close her eyes and hold her breath for a second while you do this. This way she doesn̵7;t suck up any water or get it in her eyes.

    • 5

      Apply a dime-sized amount of tear-free, fragrance-free kids' shampoo or all-in-one hair and body wash to your hand, rub it between your palms and disperse it throughout your child̵7;s hair. Use your fingertips to gently massage her scalp and hair. Rinse the shampoo with water until all the suds are gone. Apply a kids' conditioner and rinse it out or use a spray leave-in conditioner at the end of bath time.

    • 6

      Continue cleaning your toddler from the face down to her toes. Use a mild soap or all-in-one wash. Use a clean washcloth with only water on it to clean around her eyes. A washcloth should also be used to clean inside and behind your child̵7;s ears. Usually this is all the attention those ears need, so refrain from using a cotton swab post-bath.

    • 7

      Allow your toddler to enjoy the bath for a few minutes. Rinse any remaining suds from your child̵7;s body and lift her out with a clean, dry towel.

    • 8

      Finish bath time with clean pajamas, brushing the teeth and a bedtime story.

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