Six Fantastic Tips for Increasing Water Confidence in the Bath (and elsewhere)

Building water confidence is about creating positive experiences in and around water.

Timing Triumphs

Is now a good time to start running the bath?

Have you got the time to relax and enjoy the time with your little one? Children are far better than most adults on picking up on others' cues and if you are tense, it is likely to come through in the way you support them.

Is your child in a good mood for a bath? Water can be very stimulating for little ones so if they are tired it can all get a bit much and they can soon become overtired. Try and pick a time that they are alert and looking for interaction.

Routine Rules

Whether you find routines easy to use or not. a routine for bath time can really help ensure that the experience goes smoothly. No one likes the feeling of getting out of the shower only to realise there is no towel ready and waiting (although never try and avoid this by leaving your little one alone, not even for a second).

When making your routine, think about how you spend the time afterwards, a bath into a snuggly towel and a feed / drink, a story or a massage to give just a few options, is a really nice experience for both you and your little one (and will hopefully lead to a long sleep!).

Creature comforts

Think about the room temperature as well as the water temperature. Shutting the door and keeping the room warm will extend the time that your little one is happy to engage in the water and ensure that they do not get cold as soon as you take them out of the water.

A hungry baby is also going to have limited interest in the water before they are crying to get out so again, pick your timing well.

Play! Play! Play!

Set aside some time to play with your little one in the water and just have fun.

Children learn best through play and many games that you play with them outside the water can easily be transferred to the bath. Alternatively look out for our upcoming blog posts about great bath time games.

Excellent Ending

You want each experience to end on a positive so try and read your little one's cues for when they may be getting to the end of their enjoyment. It is better to finish early and leave them wanting more than to be still trying to wash them at a point that they are fed up. If they really need the wash then try and get it in as early as possible otherwise if they are ready to get out, leave it for the next time.

Snuggles and comfort

Keep the fun going leading into snuggles and bonding time. You can come up with an exit song or a cue phrase (Tidy up time or ready steady blast off!). Animate or exaggerate your voice and facial expressions. Have a dry, warm, comfy place ready with all the necessities at hand to avoid discomfort and agitation for you and your baby. Then just enjoy each and every moment of bonding; you could treat this as meditation time for the whole family or make it one-on-one time.