Buying Toiletries and Bath Time Equipment

Choose toiletries that are designed for babies' skin and hair, as adult products can irritate sensitive baby skin. If you find a particular brand works well on your baby's skin, stick to the same brand. If something you try makes your little one's skin dry or red, buy a different brand. Sometimes it's a trial and error method to find what works best for your baby's skin.

Soap can dry out babies' skin, and is unnecessary on babies' skin. Adding a small amount of ph neutral baby cleanser to the bath water will ensure your baby stays clean and has happy skin too!

If your baby doesn't have much hair, instead of putting shampoo directly onto the scalp, wash it with bath water that has had some baby cleanser added to it. Only use shampoo designed for babies, as adult shampoo is too harsh and will sting eyes.

Baby oil keeps baby skin soft and moisturised when added to the bath, or smoothed on after bathtime. It is also great for giving your baby a massage, but babies can become very slippery when oiled so use with caution! Olive oil can also be used safely on babies skin, and either olive oil or baby oil can be used for treating cradle cap.

Equipment

Most parents use baby baths for newborns and young babies, as they allow you greater control of your baby. Baby baths can be placed on the floor, which relieves strain on the back as parents don't have to lean over the big bath to support their baby while in the bath. Babies tend to feel happier having baths in baby baths than in the big family tub, as it's more snug and cosy. It's also much more energy efficient as it uses considerably less water than big baths. There are a variety of different types of baby baths on the market, ranging from the basic, no-frills baby bath, to ones that have inbuilt headrests and backrests. Some baby baths have a wide rim which allows you to fix the baby bath onto the top of the big bath. While it's up to you to decide what type of baby bath you need, it's a good idea to buy a one which has a non-slip surface, to give you extra peace of mind when holding a wet, wriggling baby!

Bucket Bath

A bucket bath, as the name suggests, is shaped like a bucket, and is aimed at babies from birth up to 6 months old. Babies can sit in these with water up to their shoulders, as the shape of the bath supports their back and neck. Many babies enjoy the womb-like experience of the bucket bath, but as your baby gets bigger you may find it more difficult to reach in and wash her. As they are small and compact you can easily carry them around the house, if you want to bathe your baby somewhere other than the bathroom. They also use less water than conventional baby baths, but due to their size, there is little room for bath toys.

Baby Seat

Bath seats are safe to use for babies from 4-6 months old, as long as they can sit up. They fit firmly onto the bottom of the bath using suction pads. These seats support your baby while you wash him. Some models have a swivelling seat, in which babies enjoy turning themselves around in (and allows you easy access to clean your baby). They often come equipped with toys or a rubber ring attached to them. Some babies love the feeling of security they get when in these, and can make the transition from baby bath to big bath easier. Other babies don't like their movements being restricted and are happier when unrestrained by a bath seat.

Bath Supports

Bath supports are designed to make bathing newborn babies easier. They hold your baby in a semi reclining position in the bath, allowing your baby's arms and legs to splash around. These are made out of plastic or consist of a wire frame with a towelling fabric over it. Your baby can slip off a bath support so always have one hand on your baby, and use your other hand to wash her.

If you are worried your baby will slip in the bath, you can buy bath mats either for use in a baby bath or the big bath. Some have colourful pictures on them to keep your baby entertained during bath time, and others have in-built thermometers to tell you when the water is too hot or too cold.

Whatever type of baby bath equipment you choose, never leave your baby unattended, even for a second, as babies can still drown while in bath seats and supports.

Bath Toys

Giving your baby toys for the bath is a great way of getting them to love bath time, and also helps with their cognitive development! There is a huge variety of bath toys on the market, from the traditional rubber ducks, to magnetic boats, and bubble machines that sit on the side of the bath blowing a constant stream of bubbles at your little splasher.

As a parent, you may be worried about potentially toxic chemicals in your baby's toys. The chemical at the heart of this debate is BPA, (otherwise known as Bisphenol A), which is one of most commonly used chemical in the world. It is used in plastic products, including toys and some baby cups. BPA, which is banned in Canada and in 3 US states, has been linked to obesity, heart disease, hyperactivity, breast cancer, brain dysfunction, and other disorders. It exudes a hormone-like substance, which has a similar effect to exposure to the hormone oestrogen. BPA can seep from toys when scratches form in the plastic. These chemicals can then be ingested by infants and children, which has led to concerns over infants being exposed to dangerous levels of chemicals.

Many teething rings and even some bottles are made from BPA. In the EU and Canada, a ban was imposed on BPA use in baby bottles in 2011, but unlike Canada, where BPA is banned completely as a toxic substance, toys sold in the UK are often made from BPA.

If you wish to avoid BPA, look for toys that are BPA free. Manufacturers do not have to list BPA as one of their ingredients, but BPA-free toys are often labelled as such. Also look for toys with recycle codes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, as these are highly unlikely to contain BPA. Plastic products with recycle codes 3 and 7 may be made with BPA. As well as toys, BPA is used in drinking cups and some jarred baby food, so check these containers too.