I have read 50 websites of moms arguing over whether drinking bathwater is bad for their child or not. The overall consensus is that it is gross but is it really bad for them. A lot of opinions and misplaced facts seem to be curculating about drinking bathwater and diarrhea. Hopefully this will set your mind at ease.
According to the Dr. Sadloer, bathwater has too many unknown chemicals. Soap doesn't seem to be a huge concern but the chemicals from the diaper area could be of concern. [ http://www.babyzone.com/askanexpert/drinking-bath-water ].
Dr Altmann recommends discouraging this behavior, but says you don't need to be too concerned about it. Drinking soapy water could cause an upset tummy. But this is unlikely, most kids spit water out if it has that unpleasant soapy taste. And the amount of soap your child would actually ingest is pretty small considering how much water it's diluted with in a typical bathtub. As far as cleaning products, the amount of chemicals used to clean a tub, which is usually rinsed well afterward and then filled with water, is less potent than in swimming pool water. Still, it's better to give your child clean water from the sink faucet than to let him guzzle from the tub.
[ http://www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-normal-for-my-baby-to-drink-bathwater_3652421.bc ]
Drinking water with adult strength soap can irritate bowels and cause diarrhea. However, baby soap is generally safe and the amount that your child would consume drinking a small amount of bath water should not upset his tummy. Infants generally do not get THAT dirty, so dirty water this should not be a concern. [ http://www.helium.com/items/1560454-what-to-do-when-your-baby-swallows-bath-water ]
Johnson's Head-To-Toe Baby Wash says to keep out of the reach of children. I suspect that drinking the entire bottle would be harmful. If there were side effects for drinking the diluted soap in the bath they would be required by law to put a warning on the container or face a serious lawsuit from thousands of angry mothers. According to Johnson's, there is no risk to drinking small amounts of baby wash. Please note that Johnson's contains NO SOAP. Johnson's Support Line: (866) 565-2229
To get really dirty with the facts, let’s say your toddler drinks contaminated bathwater. It's OK as long as it's their own urine or feces; it's a minimal risk if it's someone else's. "The bigger risk is if one child sneezes on another," said Harley Rotbart, a pediatric infectious disease specialist.
[ http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/features_julieshealthclub/2008/11/germs-when-to-w.html ]
Often I have been told that drinking bathwater will cause diarrhea. It seems that this is only true if adult soaps and chemicals are being used. Use regular cleaning materials to clean the tub but rinse the tub thoroughly. Residue soaps and bleach from poorly rinsed tubs are unlikely to hurt your child but may give them mild diarrhea. Do not use adult bubble baths or shampoos, they will have the same effect. Also continue to use tear-free and baby wash until your children stops drinking the water. If your child does consume adult soaps such as dish washing detergent, I have been told to give them milk. I cannot find proof of this online. If you know if this is true please help me find a source.
So put your child on the potty before he gets in the water. Make sure you rinse the tub thoroughly. Only use baby washes, soaps, and shampoos made for children. Read the labels of the products you buy. If it says unsafe for children, don't use it. Your child will not get sick from drinking bathwater.
According to the Dr. Sadloer, bathwater has too many unknown chemicals. Soap doesn't seem to be a huge concern but the chemicals from the diaper area could be of concern. [ http://www.babyzone.com/askanexpert/drinking-bath-water ].
Dr Altmann recommends discouraging this behavior, but says you don't need to be too concerned about it. Drinking soapy water could cause an upset tummy. But this is unlikely, most kids spit water out if it has that unpleasant soapy taste. And the amount of soap your child would actually ingest is pretty small considering how much water it's diluted with in a typical bathtub. As far as cleaning products, the amount of chemicals used to clean a tub, which is usually rinsed well afterward and then filled with water, is less potent than in swimming pool water. Still, it's better to give your child clean water from the sink faucet than to let him guzzle from the tub.
[ http://www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-normal-for-my-baby-to-drink-bathwater_3652421.bc ]
Drinking water with adult strength soap can irritate bowels and cause diarrhea. However, baby soap is generally safe and the amount that your child would consume drinking a small amount of bath water should not upset his tummy. Infants generally do not get THAT dirty, so dirty water this should not be a concern. [ http://www.helium.com/items/1560454-what-to-do-when-your-baby-swallows-bath-water ]
Johnson's Head-To-Toe Baby Wash says to keep out of the reach of children. I suspect that drinking the entire bottle would be harmful. If there were side effects for drinking the diluted soap in the bath they would be required by law to put a warning on the container or face a serious lawsuit from thousands of angry mothers. According to Johnson's, there is no risk to drinking small amounts of baby wash. Please note that Johnson's contains NO SOAP. Johnson's Support Line: (866) 565-2229
To get really dirty with the facts, let’s say your toddler drinks contaminated bathwater. It's OK as long as it's their own urine or feces; it's a minimal risk if it's someone else's. "The bigger risk is if one child sneezes on another," said Harley Rotbart, a pediatric infectious disease specialist.
[ http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/features_julieshealthclub/2008/11/germs-when-to-w.html ]
Often I have been told that drinking bathwater will cause diarrhea. It seems that this is only true if adult soaps and chemicals are being used. Use regular cleaning materials to clean the tub but rinse the tub thoroughly. Residue soaps and bleach from poorly rinsed tubs are unlikely to hurt your child but may give them mild diarrhea. Do not use adult bubble baths or shampoos, they will have the same effect. Also continue to use tear-free and baby wash until your children stops drinking the water. If your child does consume adult soaps such as dish washing detergent, I have been told to give them milk. I cannot find proof of this online. If you know if this is true please help me find a source.
So put your child on the potty before he gets in the water. Make sure you rinse the tub thoroughly. Only use baby washes, soaps, and shampoos made for children. Read the labels of the products you buy. If it says unsafe for children, don't use it. Your child will not get sick from drinking bathwater.
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