Another tricky one with babies is... bath time!

You have to think about many things at the same time: keeping your baby warm at all times, preparing the nappy (otherwise you will need to bath your baby again if you haven’t been quick enough to put it on…), keeping their ears dry to avoid ear infections, just to name a few!

You also need to protect your baby from injuries. As you would know, you should never leave your baby alone or in the care of other children.

In fact, did you know that on average 5 children under the age of 5 drown and 47 are hospitalised due to bathtub drowning or near drowning incidents each year in Australia? Source: Royal Life Saving. For more information on facts and safety tips, visit: www.royallifesaving.com.au.

Dr Miriam Stoppard, the UK’s most trusted parenting expert says: “Until your baby is six weeks old, the only parts that need daily bathing are their head, hands and bottom.” 

To do this, you need to:

1. Wipe each eye with a piece of cotton wool dipped in warm water (always wipe from the inner side of the eye outwards).
2. Wipe around the neck, behind the ears, the face, mouth and nostrils.
3. Finally put on a new vest, then remove their nappy. With a new piece of cotton, wipe all around the genital area.

Always dry the skin well.

You can also give your baby a bath, but you don’t need to do this everyday.

Try to wash your baby at the same time every day so that you can both establish a routine.

For me what works best with my children is: in the morning until the age of 3 months (at this age my babies liked morning bath in the sunlight), then at about 4 months, when they were old enough to play, I started bathing them just before bedtime.

1. Warm the room to at least 20°C (68°F) and use water that is about 32°C (90°F). It should be warm and not hot when you dip your wrist or elbow into it.
2. Do not use soap as it dehydrates the skin. I personally use organic baby oil which I put directly in the bath.
3. Try to bath your baby at a time when you will not be disturbed. Have everything you need - towels, a new nappy and fresh clothes – ready before your start.

To protect your clothes from splashes and simplify the task of taking your baby out of the water, consider the Red Castle Fleur de Cotton Apron Bath Towel. This is such a practical (and beautiful) towel. It is always very tricky, especially when you are alone, to hold the towel in one hand and your baby in the other! Put on the Apron Bath Towel before the bath; then, when you are ready to get your baby out of the water, place your baby directly against you; finally, bend the hood over the head. That’s it!

Bathing relaxes most babies, helps them to sleep and is a precious time to play and interact with your little treasure...

If you have any other bathing tips you'd like to share, I'd love to hear them, so please share in the comments below.