Wet and wildWaterfall - hold your newborn securely around the shoulders and use your other hand to scoop up some water and trickle it slowly over your baby's tummy. Let's swim - hold your baby on his tummy and swish him gently up and down the bath, as if swimming. Be careful to keep his mouth and chin above water. Pitter-patter - show your baby how to pat his hands on the surface of the water to make a nice splashy sound. Fill it up - put some sponges in the bath for your very young baby to feel and squeeze. Older babies will enjoy trying to fill and pour from plastic cups or beakers. Even older babies will be able to pour from a toy teapot or clean plastic bottle, and they'll enjoy finding out what happens when you use a funnel and sieve. Bubble time - a squirt of baby bath liquid for an older baby will give enough bubbles to liven up bath time. Make sure your baby can't slip. A rubber bath mat is a good idea. Toy time - a few simple plastic toy boats or ducks bobbing around in the water will encourage your baby to reach out and take hold of them. Bath books can be fun in the water, too. Time to share - share a bath together. It's reassuring for your baby to have you there and you'll both enjoy the skin-to-skin contact. The water should be at a temperature that's comfortable for your baby - test it with your elbow to make sure it's not too hot. Ask your partner to hand the baby to you once you're in the bath and to take him before you get out.
 Never leave a baby unattended when water is involved
Never leave a baby unattended when water is involved - even for a minute - and use a bath support or rubber mat if you're worried about him slipping.
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