1

Have everything in reach. Bathing your newborn in a sink can be a bit nerve-racking at first. You're worried about keeping his head up, soap away from his eyes and water out of his mouth. Plus he's a bit squirmy and slippery. But don't worry: It gets easier, and you'll soon find yourself enjoying this wonderful time with your baby. In fact, as he grows and the bathroom becomes just another playroom, you might find yourself longing for those early, quiet baby baths.

2

Take your time and have everything at your fingertips, such as baby soap, shampoo, washcloth and towel. You don't want to find yourself reaching for anything. If you forget something like shampoo, skip it this time. He's not exactly playing in the dirt just yet.

3

Check the temperature. Before putting your little one in the bath dip your elbow in the water; it should be comfortably warm. Your elbow is more sensitive than your hand, so it will give you a better sense of whether the water temperature is in a good range for your baby's sensitive skin. Some baby bathtubs come with a temperature indicator, but some of these indicators are too slow, hard to read and difficult to use.

4

Test the waters first. If you turn on the faucet while bathing your baby or toddler, always make sure you test the water temperature before it touches your child. If you have a toddler who can sit on her own, you can use one hand to test the water while the other hand keeps her secure. You'll need two hands for a baby, so it's a good idea to keep a separate tub or other container of rinse water handy along with washcloths. This way, you won't have to turn on the faucet once your child is in the bath, and you can always keep one hand on your child.

5

Prevent scalding water. You can reduce the risk of a burn by setting your water heater at 120°F, or, if you live in an apartment building, ask the superintendent to do so. If the super can't help, you can purchase an anti-scald device that screws into place between the shower pipe and showerhead. The device senses water temperature and blocks the flow if the water becomes too hot. There are also anti-scald valves for the shower and tub that stop the flow by sensing water pressure changes. These are best for new construction, but a plumber can use them to replace existing valves.

6

Stay vigilant! Allow nothing to distract you when you are bathing your child. The phone is ringing or someone is at the front door…what are you going to do? The answer is simple—nothing! It may seem safe enough to slip away for just a moment, especially as your child gets older and can sit up and play without assistance, but don't do it. It takes only a second for tragedy to occur when water is involved. Bathtime can be as long or short as you like, but whether it's 5 minutes or 20, you need to be within arm's reach and forget about the outside world.