Parents – September 2019

Reconsider the schedule.

Your baby doesn’t need a bath every

day—a couple of times a week is fine,

unless he’s exploding-diaper dirty.

In fact, a daily wash may dry out his skin.

On the days when you skip tub time,

use a washcloth to gently wash his face,

neck, and hands to let you maintain

the same pre-bedtime routine.

Don’t fear the soft spot.

Known as the fontanel, the soft spot

on the top of your baby’s head will be

exposed until about 18 months, when

the skull bones fuse together. Since it

feels delicate, you might be squeamish

about cleaning the area, but there is a

thick membrane underneath. If you’re

too nervous to scrub her soft spot with

your hands, try rubbing in shampoo

using a soft-bristled toothbrush.

Protect sensitive skin.

Avoid scented, bubble bath–type

products, which may cause dry skin,

and use a mild, fragrance-free wash

6 –12 MONTHS

HOW TO

Make Bathtime

a Breeze

by JENNIFER RAINEY MARQUEZ

instead. If your baby’s skin still seems

dry, try massaging in a fragrance-

free moisturizing ointment or cream

immediately after he gets out of the bath.

Move to the big tub.

You’ll know your sweetie is ready to

graduate from baths in the sink or

infant tub when she can sit unassisted

for as long as it takes to clean her up,

a milestone that babies typically reach

at around 6 or 7 months. If she’s

still a little wobbly, you can set a large

plastic tub inside the big tub so

she can hold on to the sides to steady

herself. But even if she’s a champion

sitter, it’s a good idea to place her on a

foam mat or other nonslip surface.

Fill the tub with just a couple of inches

of water so if she does take a tumble,

she won’t be submerged.

Prepare for the inevitable.

Unfortunately, baths often end when a

baby pees (or poops!) in the tub. You

can try to time baths right after you’ve

changed a wet or dirty diaper, but

babies tend to “go” when they’re exposed

to air. When it happens, simply wipe

him off the way you would during a

diaper change, and start the bath over

if necessary. FYI: Urine is sterile and

can just be rinsed away, but after a

bowel movement, you’ll need to sanitize

the tub and toys to remove bacteria.

Sources: Tanya Altmann, M.D., a pediatrician in

Calabasas, California; JoAnne Silbert-Flagg, D.N.P.,

a pediatric nurse-practitioner and assistant

professor at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing;

Rebecca Parlakian, senior director of programs

at Zero to Three.

1–2 YEARS

HOW TO

Build Sibling

Bonds

by RACHEL RABKIN PEACHMAN

Emphasize manners.

Believe it or not, you can teach your

toddler to play nicely with an older

with a front carrier is losing your
balance. If she’s in a backpack carrier,
it’s ideal to have someone else along
with you when you’re running errands
or going for a walk so the person can
check on your baby. Also be sure not to
bundle her so warmly that she gets
overheated. If you notice she’s turning
red, feels hot, or is sweating, remove
her from the carrier and take off an outer
layer of clothing. When you return
her to the carrier, make sure she’s not
slouching and her face is visible.

Sources: Marilyn Bull, M.D., professor of clinical
pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine,
in Indianapolis; Andy Bernstein, M.D., a pediatrician
in Evanston, Illinois.

3 Billion Probiotics per heart

1g of coconut sugar

Raw Cacao