When your baby becomes a toddler, quite a bit changes—including personal hygiene. Your little explorer wants to touch and discover everything, and a little dirt is unavoidable. While playing and romping, they may sweat more, and suddenly you might wonder: where did all that hair come from? As your child grows from baby to toddler, it’s also time to adjust their personal care routine. In this article, you’ll learn what changes in hygiene and how to introduce your toddler to daily washing.

How much hygiene does my toddler need?

Showering or bathing (once or twice a week)

As a baby, your child probably enjoyed bathing very much. Most newborns love the feeling of warmth and security that reminds them of their time in Mom's belly. In our article "", you’ll find everything you need to know about bath time for your baby. Many things remain the same in toddlerhood: The room temperature should be at least 22 degrees Celsius, and the water temperature should be a pleasant 37 degrees Celsius. Also, keep a pre-warmed towel ready for when they get out of the tub.

However, some things do change when bathing a toddler. If they can sit securely, the big bathtub becomes an invitation to splash. Make sure the water does not rise higher than your child's waist. If they are not yet able to sit completely securely on their own, a special bath seat can help. Also, place a non-slip mat in the bathtub and never leave your child unattended. Now that they probably don’t stay still as easily, it’s even more important to make sure your little water rat doesn’t accidentally hurt themselves while splashing.

Even if it might sometimes be practical, most young children still don’t like to shower. As an alternative to the bathtub, you can also wash your child in a washbasin in the shower. Your child may also suddenly no longer want to bathe or may even develop Fear of the water . In that case, don’t force bath time, as it can create additional pressure. Instead, try to show them that water can be fun. For example, let them splash at the sink first, or suggest bringing a bath toy or a doll into the tub that they can wash just like you do. Of course, it’s even more fun if Mom or Dad joins them in the bathtub. Bathing together not only gives your child a sense of security, but also shows them that regular bathing is completely natural. Usually, the fear of bathing disappears on its own after a while. Who knows—maybe you’ll soon find it hard to get your toddler out of the tub. ;)

Wash hair (once or twice a week)

Your toddler probably has significantly more hair than just a few months ago, and it should be washed regularly. If you combine hair washing with a bath, wait until the end so your child's sensitive head doesn’t get cold. Afterwards, dry it with a soft terry cloth towel and comb their hair with a special baby hairbrush. If necessary (for example, if they sweat heavily), you can of course wash your child's hair more often.

Washing and brushing teeth (daily)

Wash your child's face in the morning and evening, and wash their feet once a day with warm water and a washcloth, which you change daily. Your little explorer's teeth should also be brushed in the morning and evening. What to pay attention to when brushing your child's teeth can be found in our article " Tips for dental care with babies and toddlers “. If you make washing and brushing teeth a regular part of your morning or Evening routine , personal hygiene will soon feel completely natural for your child.

Clean diaper area (daily)

You should also continue to gently clean your child's diaper area at every diaper change with a washcloth, warm water, and, if desired, some cotton wool and almond oil. Also, make sure to change the washcloth daily and boil it regularly. Dry the diaper area thoroughly after each cleaning to prevent irritation. When you're on the go or in a hurry, our are a practical alternative. If your toddler is already potty-free, simply incorporate intimate care into the daily washing routine in the morning and evening.

Washing hands (daily)

Several times a day, thorough handwashing with soap is also on the schedule. Depending on how independent your child already is, they can wash their hands on their own or with your support.

Clean ears (regularly)

Cleaning the ears is a regular task, but not an everyday one. Under no circumstances should you use cotton swabs. They only push earwax further into your child's ear and can injure the delicate ear canal. Instead, gently wipe the outer ear and the skin behind the ears with a damp cloth—for example, right after bathing.

What skincare products do you need?

A quick look at the shelves of the drugstore makes it clear that the selection of care products for infants seems endless. The same principle applies here as with babies: less is more. The skin of babies and young children is still much more sensitive than that of adults, as their protective barrier is still developing. In addition, the sweat and sebaceous glands are not yet functioning as they do in adults, so children's skin is not sufficiently protected by the hypolipid film of water and fat. As a result, it is more sensitive to external influences and dries out more quickly, requiring special protection.

• For daily washing and hair care, water is usually sufficient. If your child has turned into a little dirtball on the playground again, you can also use a gentle shampoo. gentle cleaning for use on skin and hair.

• For swimming, you can use a fettiger Badezusatz add water, for example almond oil. This is especially recommended in winter so that delicate toddler skin does not dry out during bathing. You can simply massage in the excess oil after the bath, so no additional care is necessary.

• For facial care, a recommendation is suitable. gentle cream specifically for children's skin. Make sure to use only as much cream as the skin can absorb.

How can you make daily personal hygiene fun for your toddler?

When it comes to your toddler's personal hygiene, it’s not just about cleanliness or getting them as clean as possible in the shortest amount of time. Instead, this is a chance for them to learn—step by step—how washing, brushing teeth, and more can become part of a daily ritual. The more independent your child becomes, the more they can help. We’ve put together a few tips to help you involve your toddler in daily personal care.

• Leading by example: The more often your child sees you showering, bathing, or (hand)washing, the more likely they are to view daily personal hygiene as completely natural.

• Make it a ritual: Integrate personal care into your daily morning and evening routine so it becomes second nature for your child.

• The right environment for helping out create: With a non-slip stool in front of the mirror, the sink, soap, and toothbrush are within your child's reach. A washcloth and a towel at toddler height also encourage independent washing.

• Encourage to help: Invite your child to actively help: "Can you please lift your foot so I can wash it?" Depending on how independent they already are, your little explorer can also take over washing the body parts they can reach. If they’re not quite able to do it on their own yet, you can always offer your help. Your child can also actively participate after washing or bathing when it’s time to get dressed again: The practical LILLYDOO Kids Pants can be easily pulled up and are perfect for young children who want to help actively.

Even though your child should, of course, learn that cleanliness is important, a fear of dirt should never limit their sense of discovery. So if you're wondering how those little feet can get dirty so quickly—or where the remnants of breakfast behind your child's ear came from—take a deep breath and relax. ;) We wish you and your little explorer lots of fun with your daily care routine!