Bath time is a special moment for children, as it provides an opportunity for genuine bonding with their parents. While essential for personal hygiene, it also gives children a chance to get comfortable with water and try out all sorts of games while getting cleaned up. But once they’re out of the bath, it’s important to dry them off quickly so they don’t catch a cold. To do this, you need to know how to choose the right bath towels.
What kind of towel is best for a child? What material is gentle on a child’s delicate skin? In short, how do you choose bath towels for a child? Here are some helpful tips for parents who care about their little one’s well-being.
Choose a bath towel shape that's appropriate for the child's age
There are various ways to quickly dry and wrap up a toddler after a bath so they don’t catch a cold. It’s up to each parent to decide which method works best for their little one, depending on their age and size. It’s worth noting that three types of bath towels seem particularly well-suited for the youngest children.
The Baby Bath Cape
The best way to dry off an infant is undoubtedly what is commonly called a bath cape. But what exactly is it? A bath cape looks like a towel large enough to completely wrap around a baby. It has a hood in one corner, which allows you to quickly cover the child’s head.
Available in square or rectangular shapes, this type of baby towel comes in several sizes.
The square napkins have the following dimensions:
- 70 x 70 cm;
- 80 x 80 cm;
- 100 x 100 cm.
Rectangular capes come in two sizes:
- 70 x 60 cm;
- 75 x 120 cm.
It’s important to note that the smallest bath towels are sufficient for newborns. Starting at 6 months, the 75 x 120 cm size is the best option. For children aged 12 to 36 months, the 100 x 100 cm square bath towel keeps them nice and snug.
The Children's Bath Towel
After age 3, you can use a traditional bath towel to dry your little one after a bath. A standard bath towel (70 x 120 cm) will work perfectly. Be sure to choose one with a lower thread count so the towel isn’t too heavy for your child.
Depending on their age, it's best to choose designs they'll like, such as characters from their favorite cartoon or fun patterns. It's impossible to resist the countless designs created to delight children.
Bathrobes for Children and Babies
Another practical and comfortable option for after a bath: the bathrobe for children or babies. It’s an ideal way to gently dry the skin while immediately giving the child a feeling of comfort and warmth. Unlike a bath cape, a bathrobe has sleeves, which can be a challenge for very young children. It’s never easy to slip their little arms into the sleeves of their clothes. That’s why it’s best to reserve bathrobes for children ages 3 and up.
But how can you resist the urge to see your little one in his bathrobe? There’s no doubt about it—all bundled up in his bathrobe, he’s absolutely adorable!
Choose a material that is gentle on little ones' delicate skin
Bath time should be a pleasant experience for a child. That’s why it’s important to choose soft, gentle towels that are gentle on their skin. When making your selection, you should consider two main criteria: the absorbency of the bath towels and their softness.
Cotton turns out to be the most suitable material, especially terry cloth. This knitted fabric perfectly meets theabsorption criteria. Made up of loops of yarn, this natural-fiber fabric has a very high absorbency. This makes drying off your baby much easier. Made from double-terry cloth, this children’s bath towel will prove to be much more effective in this regard.
To be even gentler on children’s skin, it’s best to choose an organic terry cloth towel. To be sure you’re making the right choice, check that the towel has the OEKO-TEX® label on its tag. This guarantees that the towel contains no substances harmful to children’s health. This choice also helps protect the environment.
When it comes to weight, be careful not to buy a bath towel that’s too thick for your baby or child. The small folds of their skin won’t be easy to dry if you use a thick towel. For the best drying results, it’s best to choose a towel that can easily reach into the small crevices of their skin. To combine comfort and softness, a weight between 350 and 450 g/m² is ideal.
Wash your child's towel thoroughly to ensure optimal hygiene
It's commonly believed that because we're clean when we get out of the shower or bath, bath towels don't get dirty when we dry off. Well, that's not true!
Even after being washed, the skin on your body still harbors many microbes on its surface. So when you dry off after a shower, they end up on your bath towel. The moisture retained by the fabric then contributes to their proliferation within the towel’s fibers. As a result, even a minor skin abrasion can allow them to enter the body and cause an infection. It is therefore essential to wash your bath linens very regularly.
The same obviously applies to baby and children’s towels. So, be sure to wash and replace their bath towels two to three times a week. This ensures that you minimize health risks and provide them with optimal hygiene.
With these tips, everyone can now confidently choose the bath towels that are best suited for their child.
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