A recent survey has found that while 84 percent of parents say bath time is some of the best quality time they get with their child, many underestimate its power and benefits.
The online survey of more than 3,500 parents of young children around the world, conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of Johnson’s, found less than half of parents (42 percent) believe bath time to be an extremely important routine in their child’s brain development. Furthermore, the survey revealed that 93 percent of Saudi mothers see bath time as so much more than just a bath, a significantly higher statistic compared to the global average.
According to a study published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, infants who experienced routine touch and massage (compared to those who did not) were 50 percent more likely to make eye contact, and three times more likely to have an overall positive expression (smiling, eye contact, etc).
The research findings suggest that Saudi mothers are ahead of the curve when it comes to understanding the significance regular massage has on baby, with 34 percent recognizing the practice as being extremely important for their child’s brain development, compared to 23 percent globally and only 13 percent in the UK.
Dr. Zainab A. Malik, a consultant pediatrician, said: “Mothers in Saudi Arabia enjoy the quality time they spend with their children during bath time. With research identifying 85 percent of a baby’s brain to be developed by 3, it is important for parents to recognize opportunities, such as bath time, to engage in touch, sight, smell and sound. Moments like these are crucial in helping to shape their baby’s brain.”
Studies have also shown that babies bathed with a fragranced bath product displayed 30 percent more engagement cues with their parent after bath and spent nearly 25 percent less time crying before sleep compared to those who were not.
A study of 58 mother-infant pairs found that infants who followed a bedtime routine, including a warm bath with a fragranced bath product, took 37 percent less time to fall asleep and had a significant improvement in mood in the morning.