If you have a fussy child at home, then convincing him or her to take a bath can be a real task. But if you can add a little fun and imagination to their bathing experience, through bath toys, they might just love to take a shower.
While you are always on the lookout for bath toys to keep your little ones entertained, you also need to be aware of their upkeep and that includes knowing when to replace bath toys.
These toys can be a petri dish for bacteria and if you are not careful, then it can affect your babies’ health. Here are the signs that it is time to replace your child’s bath toys.
Why Do You Need To Replace Bath Toys?
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As you are aware, most of the bath toys in the market are made up of soft plastic. This allows the toy to float on top of the water. They also have a small hole in them and it allows for squirting water out.
While they seem fun for toddlers and babies, most bath toys house water that actually drains properly. This is the reason bath toys need to be replaced when their time comes.
Swiss and American researchers did a study that confirmed the presence of bacteria inside rubber bath toys that can make your babies and your family really sick.
The study revealed that dense growth of bacteria and fungi are found in the inner surface of the flexible toys and a murky liquid is released when your child squeezes it.
Researchers found that it is the low-quality polymers that are present in the plastic, which create the perfect environment for bacterial and fungal growth.
3 Signs To Not Ignore And Replace Bath Toys Immediately
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All babies have their favourite toys and they love to cling to them. Due to this reason, these are the ones that will show wear and tear the fastest. When that happens, you should know that it is time to replace them.
If your child’s bath toys are made of hard plastic, they will be more durable. But over time, the composition of the plastic begins to deteriorate. As a result, the breaking and cracking can occur. This poses a health hazard to your babies.
Here’s why you need to be careful:
Cracked toys: When your kids are playing with plastic toys that have cracked, their skin can get pinched between the broken parts, thus causing broken skin.
Choking hazard: Babies have the habit of putting everything in their mouths and thus even bath toys can become a choking hazard.
In 2019, the Ubbi Connect ‘N Build Bath Toys were recalled because, after continuous use, parts of the toy snapped off. As a result, it became an instant choking hazard for little ones. Thankfully, none of those who purchased the toy experienced choking. However, it served as a reminder to parents to be cautious about bath toys.
Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission
Also in 2023, Zuru, the manufacturer of Baby Shark and Mini Baby Shark Bath Toys, issued a major recall of over seven million units due to safety concerns. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) flagged a potential risk of “impalement, lacerations, and punctures” from the hard plastic top fins on these toys. Parents were urged to immediately remove these toys from their children’s reach.
Presence of mould: Parents, also need to replace bath toys when there is a presence of mould. It can start to grow in soft plastic toys within 24 to 48 hours after use. This is because of the water that has been squeezed inside. However much you may try to dry it up, it may be nearly impossible.
When kids put their bath toys in their mouths, they are at risk of swallowing the mould. There is a chance that your child develops itchy eyes, a skin rash, or even coughing. In some cases, they can also develop nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhoea.
Therefore, it is very important to see that you maintain proper care when it comes to bath toys. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind.
The Hidden Dangers of Bath Tub Toys: A Mother’s Warning
Source: Facebook/Eden Strong – No Shame
A Terrifying Wake-up Call
Eden Strong, a mother of three from suburban Chicago, never thought her 2-year-old son’s bath toys could pose such a severe risk. Yet in 2020, a regular morning turned into a nightmare when she found her son suffering from severe cellulitis, a serious type of infection and inflammation, due to water from a rubber bath toy squirting into his eye.
The Unseen Threat Lurking in the Tub
“Despite having another child with epilepsy and therefore being pretty good at keeping my cool, I cried the entire drive to a larger hospital, praying that he wouldn’t lose his eye,” Strong recollected in a Facebook post that has since been widely shared.
She had always been aware of the potential for these toys to trap water and fill with mould, and she cleaned them regularly.
However, she soon realized that visual cleanliness was no guarantee against invisible bacteria. “You cannot clean them, you just can’t,” she wrote. Despite no visible signs of mould, the danger was still present.
The Aftermath and Overwhelming Response
Following this traumatic experience, Strong has received an overwhelming response, with hundreds of messages and photos from parents who have had near-identical experiences.
“I’m disgusted and horrified by how many parents and kids have gone through the same experience,” she said.
A Mother’s Plea: “Just Throw Them Out”
Strong’s message to other parents is simple and direct: “Just throw them out.” The risk is not worth it, and there are plenty of other toys kids can play with in the bath that don’t trap water. “This is not the hill you want to die on,” she warned.
Preventing Future Incidents
The most important takeaway from this incident is awareness. Bath toys that trap water might seem harmless, but they can harbour unseen dangers. By sharing her story, Strong hopes to prevent other families from experiencing the same terrifying ordeal.
As parents, we must constantly be vigilant and prioritize our children’s safety. Sometimes, this may mean saying goodbye to seemingly innocent bath toys.
After all, as Strong pointed out, “It’s not like these [rubber water squirting bath toys] are a necessity.”
Steps To Keep Your Toys Clean
Squeeze as much water out of the toys as possible. Keep it aside and let it dry completely. You can also keep the bathroom exhaust fan on for 15 to 20 minutes after bathtime, this will help to draw the humidity out of the room and your toys will dry faster.
You can also seal the holes in the bath toys with a dab of hot glue if you want to avoid the hassle of emptying the stored water every time.
Cleaning bath toys with vinegar?
While you may clean your child’s bath toys using soap and water, you need to clean them thoroughly. You can also use vinegar, which is a natural cleaning agent that dissolves soap scum and it gets rid of stains.
- Fill the bucket with equal parts of vinegar and warm water.
- You can also add a few drops of tea tree oil or lemon oil.
- Submerge the bath toys and let them soak for an hour.
- Clean each toy with tap water and let it air dry.
In case, you have any confusion on when to introduce bath toys, here’s what you need to know.
When Should You Introduce Bath Toys?
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Six months age
By the time your child reaches the six-month milestone, they will develop greater head control and will be able to sit up by themselves.
They are also going to show more interest in toys generally and it is a great time to introduce bath toys to them. This is the time when they are also looking out for bright-coloured toys and love filling and emptying containers.
Toddlers and older children
You can think of introducing plastic figures, diggers, and dump trucks when your kids get a bit older. However, battery toys should always be a big No!
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