The first bath of the baby, as a rule, scares the newly made parents. What should I do if the baby slips out of my hands? How to keep the baby in the water? And in the future, this procedure is difficult to carry out without the help of dad or grandmother. A slide for bathing a newborn can correct this state of affairs.
Why is it needed?
A baby is bathed daily. At the same time, parents bend over the bath in an uncomfortable position, holding the crumbs in their hands. Newborns react differently to the procedure. Someone is falling asleep, other children begin to scream, actively waving arms and legs. The backs of moms and dads are subjected to severe stress.
It is even more difficult for women who have to wash their babies alone. Here it is necessary not only to hold the baby, but also to manage to soap the floundering little body, to go through all the folds.
To solve such problems, slides for bathing newborns were created. These devices securely hold the child in the bathtub, preventing them from sliding down and swallowing water.
From what age?
The slide for bathing a newborn can be used immediately after returning from the hospital. Most products have an anatomically correct shape that copies the back of the baby. The clamps hold the head, do not allow the child to slip out of the structure. Fabric slides are pleasant to the touch, take the form of a body. In such devices, babies are comfortable, and mothers can unload their back and arms.
When buying a product, pay attention to how much weight it is designed for. Most slides can withstand kids weighing up to 9-10 kg. They can be used up to 8-9 months. True, active children refuse to adapt in half a year. By this time, they already know how to crawl, learn to sit, and it is difficult to fix them in one position.
There are several types of children's slides for bathing newborns. Consider each of them in more detail, examine the pros and cons.
Anatomical bath
An ergonomic slide with recesses for the head and butt is pre-built into this bathing device. Special stops are placed under the arms and between the legs of the baby, fixing him in a safe position. Such a bath will greatly facilitate the life of the parents of the newborn, however, judging by the reviews, it also has drawbacks.
The main one is the inability to take out the slide when necessary. Manufacturers recommend planting older babies on the other side of the bath, but there is practically no room for movement. The child may hit the handles or foot on hard ledges. Consequently, after six months you will have to look for another bathing capacity.
Plastic slide
This device is very popular among young parents. It is made of environmentally friendly materials, attached to the bottom of a children's or adult bath using suction cups. A smooth surface with recesses firmly holds the baby, allowing mom to calmly soap it, wash her hair. At the same time, the arms and legs of the crumbs move freely, splashing some water.
Some models have special straps for a stronger hold on the baby. There are on sale options that allow you to adjust the size of the slide, depending on the height of the child. The device is easy to clean and pulled out of the bath if you want to arrange another swimming lesson.
The design has three disadvantages. Firstly, a plastic slide can be large for a newborn, and he will slide off it. Secondly, the surface is solid, the shape fetters the freedom of movement of the baby, which gives him certain inconvenience. Thirdly, plastic is able to provoke an allergic reaction when in contact with the delicate skin of an infant. Therefore, many mothers spread a soft diaper on top of it.
Foam Slide
This option is popular with many parents and is considered the safest. The design is very simple: a figure in the form of an animal or a man is cut out from a single piece. A recess is made in the center, on which the baby is laid. A soft slide for bathing newborns is installed on the bottom of the bath. Due to its thickness, it rises above the surface by 25-30 cm. The weight of the child firmly fixes it in one place, preventing it from sliding over the bath.
There are several pluses on the foam slide. Firstly, it holds the baby securely, taking the shape of its body and preventing it from slipping. At the same time, it is very convenient for a newborn, because there are no solid elements, stops or belts that hamper the movement. Secondly, the material is saturated with warm water and warms the back. The child will not freeze, even if his upper body is above the water. Thirdly, the design can be installed in both a children's and an adult bath. She enters the shower. Parents really like the low price of the product.
However, caring for this type of slide is more difficult. Foam cannot be simply washed with soap. It must be washed, wrung out thoroughly and dried. Moreover, this has to be done often, since the material accumulates bacteria.
Cloth slide for bathing newborns
The design resembles a deck chair. A soft cloth is pulled onto a metal or plastic frame. Such a slide does not have recesses, fasteners or side stops. The baby is placed on a fabric that sags under his weight, and he is immersed in water.
Being on such a hill is very comfortable. There is no load on the spine, the sensations are pleasant, water freely penetrates the body of the newborn. At the same time, he can freely jerk his legs, move his arms. The cost of the device is low, which pleases parents. The fabric is easily removable, washable.
However, the model also has disadvantages. The most important of them is the insufficiently reliable fixation of the baby. The child has to constantly hold so that he does not slip off the hill. For active children, this option is unacceptable. Yes, and the device itself is not attached to the bottom of the bath.
Hammock
This is another version of the rag slide for bathing newborns. The design is made of fabric or mesh. It is securely attached to the edges of the tub with hooks. A baby is placed on top. The hammock guarantees proper support to the fragile spine, allows the child to change the position of the body. The fabric is easy to wash, when folded, the device is very compact.
This option is great for newborns with low body weight, which are large plastic slides. It is necessary to keep an eye on the baby so that he does not roll over in a hammock. It is important to choose the right size so that the product is not too narrow, and the body is immersed in water to a sufficient depth.
Over time, the fabric stretches under the weight of the baby, the hammock begins to sag. Get ready for the fact that the device will last you an average of 3-4 months, after which it will become unsafe.
How not to make a mistake with the choice?
Many parents wonder which slide is best for newborns. Unfortunately, there is no single answer to this question. When making a choice, consider all factors. First of all, decide in which capacity you will bathe the offspring. The slide should enter freely and securely attached to the surface. Chatting with arms and legs, the child should not hit the sides of the bath. Please note that all devices are installed on a flat bottom. Otherwise, no one can guarantee their stability.
In a large bath it is more convenient to use a plastic slide. For a baby bath, a hammock or a product made of foam rubber is perfect. When choosing a model, remember the height and weight of your favorite crumbs. Consider character traits as well. A calm baby is able to aguk for a long time, enjoying water procedures in a hammock. His active peer will begin to swing and roll over, risking falling out of the device. A plastic slide with reliable stops is more suitable for such a baby.
When choosing a model, pay attention to the following parameters:
- Material. It should be durable, non-slip, pleasant to the touch and safe.
- No odors.
- Reliability of fastenings. It is very inconvenient when the slide slides through the bath.
- No sharp corners, no smooth edges that can cause injury.
Parent reviews
What do modern mothers and fathers think about slides for bathing newborns? The reviews on the forums are contradictory. It is difficult to determine which product will be more convenient for you in everyday use before the baby is born. Some parents manage to try all the options in search of the best.
The protrusions of the anatomical slide may be great for a newborn, then a hammock comes to the rescue. One of the kids, on the contrary, constantly slides off the fabric base, and parents acquire a plastic slide with clamps for legs and handles. There are kids who cry in any devices, and get used to water only when they put a circle on their neck for swimming. When choosing a model, focus on your own intuition and fears. If it seems to you that the baby is uncomfortable on a plastic surface, look for other options.
Despite the differences, the parents agree on one thing: the slide really helps get rid of the fear of dropping the child. Inexperienced mothers independently bathe the kids with their help, if dad was late at work. An indispensable device for those women who have had a cesarean section, have problems with the spine.
Let's go swimming!
How to use a slide for bathing newborns? Rinse the product under running water before the procedure. Securely fix it, make sure the suction cups and hooks are strong. The slide should not slide over the bath. To avoid this, a useful addition will help - a mat that is attached to the bottom and to the walls of the container. If the active baby manages to slip out of the hill, the mat will provide him with a “soft landing”.
It is better to lay a plastic product with a diaper. The baby will be warm and soft, he will stop sliding on a smooth surface. If you are afraid, first pour a little water, gradually increasing its amount. Optimally, when the liquid reaches the breast crumbs. While swimming, do not leave the child alone for a second, watch his movements, hold too active babies with one hand.
Care
A slide for bathing newborns is regularly washed with soap. The fabric is rinsed, thoroughly dried, and washed from time to time. This will help to avoid rashes and redness on the baby’s skin. Foam rubber requires more frequent washing. It is important to dry it well, otherwise pathogenic bacteria will begin to multiply in the material.
A slide for bathing newborns is a useful acquisition that will allow parents to forget about anxieties and focus on communicating with the baby. With it, water procedures will turn into a favorite pastime for both the baby and his mother.