A child’s body mechanism is different from an adult’s. So, they may not be comfortable with their different body temperature in the water, but you feel good.
Also, there are many different risks in the tub that a child can face. And that is why people often ask ‘can babies go in the tub?’
Actually, babies can go in the hot tub under a strong inspection. There are many different ways babies can be injured in the tub. If you are skeptic, I would suggest you check the details in the below discussion.
Can Babies Go on Hot Tub?
Having a bath in the hot tub is definitely a beneficial activity for babies. Indeed, there are different disabilities and disorders children can have that are curable with hot tub therapies.
So, the hot water in the tub is a good idea for kids only if they are under proper inspection. There are many records of kids falling in the hot tub and getting seriously injured or just dying.
According to a report by Nationwide Children’s Hospital, published on November 3, 2009, Children below 6 years old were mostly injured or died in the hot tub by jumping in it and dying in the water.
According to Lara McKenzie, Ph.D., a researcher at the Center for Injury Research and Policy of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, “While the majority of injuries occurred among patients older than 16, children are still at high risk for hot tub-related injuries.” So, Children are not at risk in the hot tub even if it is good for their health.
One of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine’s reports published in December 2009 also exposed a similar result to the report of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital. And their status also warns people to keep their babies in strong inspection while they are in the tub. Also, it is suggested that pregnant women not be in the hot tub for a longer period of time for the safety of their babies.
Benefits of Having a Bath in a Hot Tub for Babies
A hot tub session has numerous benefits for kids. Eventually, many hospitals and therapy centers offer hot tub and spa therapies for babies with different disorders.
Aquatic therapy is very popular for babies where the temperature is kept from 90°F to 94°F. For young children, it is often kept from 100°F to 102°F water temperature. But 98 degrees is considered as the safest temperature for both young and older children.
In these cases, professional physicians are assigned to keep the babies safe in the water. However, hot spas and hot tub sessions are used to cure the following disorders for babies.
- Autism & Sensory Integration Dysfunction
- Brittle Bones
- Cerebral Palsy
- Scoliosis
- Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Cystic Fibrosis and Asthma
- Several Neurological Disorders
- Several Skeletal Disorders
So, if you have a hot tub at your home, you should take your babies there sometimes to let them enjoy a hot tub shower. But make sure to keep the water level lower and especially have your eyes on them every single second.
Accidents That Can Happen When a Baby Goes on Hot Tub
Hot tubs are great for adults but not as enjoyable for kids and elderly people. Adults can manage their body temperature well whereas babies and adults lack that.
Also, the drowning issue is a significant factor culminating in most accidents and death tolls.
Over 18 incidents have occurred since 1980 and among them 5 were dead and this is reported by CPSC. It might seem a bit odd but even a 16-year-old girl was a victim of accidental death in the hot tub.
CPSC has set a standard for decreasing unintentional incidents. The spas should have at least two outlets per pump for stabilizing the water pressure.
This information might keep you thinking about whether you should let your kids have a spa or not. Yet most of the incidents had occurred for negligences and lack of monitoring and sudden heat stroke.
Again, if you want to let your little kids or grandparents into your hot bath or public spa, you have to monitor them cautiously.
CPSC’s Recommendation for Safety in Hot Tub
Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC warns people to stay safe in the hot tub. It also sets some factors and recommendations for them. The safety tips by CPSC in the hot tub are given below.
- The water temperature should remain under 104 degrees Fahrenheit in the bathtub.
- Kids should be kept away from the spas and hot tubs if there is no active monitoring.
- Bathtubs and spas should be covered properly while not in use.
- It is better to get hydrated before joining a hot bath or spa session.
- The cut-off switches for the pumps should be in clear view to the users.
- It is mandatory to have at least two drains along with a safety cover for the spas according to CPSC standards.
- You should let the experts inspect the hot tub or spa on a regular basis. Also, users should always check the condition of the tub before joining a session.
Alongside CPSC’s hot tub safety recommendation, I also suggest you check the hot tub tips by CDC, which are equally essential to follow.
Essential Tips to Keep Your babies Safe in a Hot Tub
Besides the professional’s advice, I have some personal tips for you to check while keeping your babies in the hot tub. Make sure to follow them as well.
- Test your hot tub water to ensure that it does not contain any harmful chemicals or bacteria.
- Place anty-slip mate around your hot tub area.
- Cover the tub when you are not using it.
- Set a motion detector in the area so that you can get informed if your kids and pet are there.
- Never let your kids jump in the tub even if you are right there.
- Keep your babies out of reach of the massage jet, filter, and heater.
- Keep the place of the hot tub locked when you are not at home.
- Never keep your babies in the tub with water of high temperature.
CDC reports suggesting not allowing children under the age of 5 in the hot tub. So, if your babies are younger, you should not let them enter the tub even if you are there for them to help.
Final Advice
To keep yourself and your babies safe in the tub, you need to keep the tub clean with fresh water and check the chemical levels suitable.
Before I leave, I must warn you once again that the tub is not safe for your babies. So, make sure to take the necessary steps to make the place safer and keep them in your inspection all the time.
