Most babies love to take a bath. Relax in the warm water and have the full attention of their father or mother. It is very relaxing for most newborns. It can also help with colic or when a baby has trouble falling asleep. Yet many newborns still find a regular bath big and scary. You can try putting your baby in a regular baby bath, but there is a Tummy Tub especially for babies up to six months. What is the Tummy Tub and how do you wash your baby in it?
What is the Tummy Tub?
A Tummy Tub resembles a bucket and is suitable for newborns up to about six months. Many babies do not like a regular bath because it looks big and they have to lie flat in it. In the Tummy Tub you can let the baby sit upright and the baby will feel safer because he can feel the walls. Despite the small size, the baby can move freely and cannot create an unsafe situation for itself. The Tub is most comparable to the womb for the baby. A Tummy Tub costs about 20 to 30 euros. You can buy one at special baby stores, but also at larger retail chains such as V&D and Hema.
Do not use a normal bucket!
The Tummy Tub is specially designed for bathing the baby. A normal bucket should never be used because it is not safe. The walls of the Tummy Tub are transparent. This allows you to see how your baby is sitting and how he is moving. The Tummy Tub has a wide edge at the top so you can easily support your arms. There is a rubber ring at the bottom of the Tummy Tub, which prevents the Tub from slipping. You can easily place the Tub on the changing table or bath stand. Most bath stands are made in such a way that you can also place a Tummy Tub on them. So you don’t have to buy a special stand for this.
Amount of water
There are meters on the side of the Tummy Tub. These meters indicate how much water should be added. The amount of water depends on the weight of the baby. The bigger the baby, the less water needs to be in it. If you put too much water in it, the baby will not be able to keep its head above water.
The advantages
- Feeling of safety
- The baby sits upright and can therefore do more
- The amount of water is less
- The water becomes cold less quickly
- This makes the baby very relaxed
- The Tub is light
How do you hold your baby in the water?
There are several ways to hold your baby in the Tummy Tub. You must always ensure that the baby does not slip or get its head under water. The best way to hold the baby is:
- Hold the baby under his armpits.
- Keep your palms facing upwards.
- Hold the arms with your index fingers.
- You support your baby’s chin with your thumbs. This way the head cannot fall forward.
- The rest of the fingers hold your baby’s breast.
It may look a bit strange, with those thumbs around his neck, but it is the right way. When your baby is older, he can sit independently and hold his head up. Of course, never leave your baby alone and always support him.
Until when can your baby be in the Tummy Tub?
Basically, the Tummy Tub is designed for newborn babies up to a maximum of six months. When a baby grows, the Tummy Tub quickly becomes too small. Still, some babies love to stay in the Tummy Tub for as long as possible. They enjoy being able to see everything clearly and access everything. They can also learn to stand more easily. Water makes you weightless. It is best to estimate for yourself how long you will let your child go into the Tummy Tub. Your little one will automatically indicate that he no longer likes it and otherwise you can see for yourself when your baby is really too big. When you use a Tummy Tub, you can always alternate this with a regular baby bath.
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