Avoiding trouble amid the bubbles at bathtime

Getting the bath water ready so it is not too hot or cold is a bit of a skill. Run the cold water first, then add the hot water. Once you have filled the bath up with water, mix the water with your hand to make sure there are no spots of hot water. It makes sure your child doesn’t get scalded by any hot water. If you have a mixer tap, don’t put the plug in until the water is the right temperature. Once the bath is ready, try turning the cold water on for a moment so any drips of water are cold not hot.

You can also use a bath thermometer to check if the bath water is too hot or too cold (there’s one in your Baby Box). Most thermometers indicate an ideal temperature of 37 degrees C to 38 degrees C, which is around body temperature.

If you don’t have any way to check if the bath is too hot, use your elbow by dipping it into the water. If it feels nice and warm, it’s ready for your child. If it feels a bit hot or cold, you know to adjust the water.

When your baby is very small, you can put your arm around them to hold them safely in the bath, but the older they get the more they start to move around and the harder it is to keep them still – they might even try and stand up! Try using a non-slip bath mat. If it has suckers at the bottom, make sure they are placed firmly down in the bath. Even if using a bath mat, make sure you’re in arms reach of your wee one at all times.

After bath time, give the floors a quick dry if you have tiles – or try getting to child to lie or stand on a towel or changing mat.

Scalds from hot water, steam and even hot taps can be very serious and painful, as children's skin is much thinner and more delicate than an adult’s. As well as getting ready for bath time and checking the temperature of the water, taps can be very hot after running hot water through them. For this reason some parents like to buy tap safety covers that stop them being touched by small hands. For other parents, it is easier to teach their children not to touch the taps. Whatever you choose to do, it is important to make sure your kids don’t go near hot taps - especially when they are strong enough to turn them on.

This is the most important tip we have - to make sure your baby is safe at bath time, it is really important that you don’t leave the room. Not even if the door rings or your phone is in another room. Bath supports and seats are not enough to keep your baby safe - they need you there to make sure they are safe and don’t slip or fall into the water.

If you do need to leave the room, simply get your wee one out of the bath, wrap them in a towel and take them with you. You can always put them back in the bath afterwards.

This is a tip for any walking toddlers - try and teach your toddler to sit down in the bath. If they try and stand up (and they will!) just calmly tell them to sit on their bottom. Maybe try distracting them from standing by playing with a bath toy or sponge (there should be one in your Baby Box).

Once your kid is out the bath, make sure all the water is out of the bath. They may try and climb back into the bath and it can be dangerous if water is still in there and they slip and fall.

This is one you might not even think about but try to keep bath toys dry and clean when they aren’t in the bath. They can get mouldy if left wet for long periods which isn’t nice if your baby or toddler is putting them in their mouths!