Bath aids are used to support infants while in a bath. They help keep a baby’s head up and out of the water, leaving a carer’s hands free to wash their infant and often easing the strain on the carers’ back. A range of bath aids specific to the age and size of a baby are available, and they include bath seats, cradles, hammocks, recliners, supports and rings. They are generally made of plastic, rubber or foam. Infant drowning in baby bath aids is a tragedy that many may be unaware of. Records of the Royal Lifesaving Society of Australia show that six babies less than 13 months old have drowned...

Residential childhood drowning is normally assumed to be associated with backyard swimming pools. However, this is not an altogether accurate assumption and in fact in Australia an average of 19 children drowns in bathtubs annually. The most alarming about this statistic is that the majority of these deaths by drowning in the bath occur while the parent or caregiver is not in attendance. A number of simple actions can be taken to make bath time safer and incident free. All necessary equipment such as the child’s clothes, nappies, dry towels,...

Bathing an infant may seem like an intimidating task, especially for first-time parents. However, bath time can be an enjoyable cleansing ritual, and can offer the parent an opportunity to bond with their new infant in a soothing, relaxed environment. Aquatic experiences like that afforded by bath time also stimulate a newborn’s numerous senses, and allow the baby the freedom of movement through buoyancy and floating that gravity prevents. The following issues regarding bathing a newborn are worth considering. Bathing does not increase the risk of infection to an umbilical cord stump, so there is really no need to wait for the stump to heal completely before getting your newborn into the tub....