Toddlers have immature immune systems, which makes them vulnerable to getting sick more often. Your child is frequently interacting with new environments and different people such as childcare, public playgrounds, and libraries. As a result, your toddler comes into contact with new germs and bacteria that can easily spread and make them sick.

Your child may have habits such as sucking their thumb or biting their nails. This increases the risk of dirt and germs being put into your body’s system. Good hand hygiene and handwashing can prevent many infections.

Bathing your toddler helps keep them clean and hygienic. Bathing your toddler two to three times per week is sufficient. However, you and your child may like to have baths more often as part of a bedtime routine, water play, or bonding experience. It is important to always supervise your child and ensure that you clean your toddler’s face and genitals daily. Here are some tips on bathing your preschooler:

• use a gentle cleanser instead of harsh soaps to avoid drying out or irritating your child’s skin
• wash your child’s hair about once or twice a week or when it is visibly dirty, oily, or they are more active than usual
• try to avoid products like bubble baths for as long as possible, as these can increase the risk of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in some children
• for girls, wipe your child’s vulva from front to back with water to reduce the risk of infections - it isn’t necessary to use any soap or cleanser as the vagina cleans itself
• for boys, wash the penis and scrotum as normal; however, don’t try to forcibly retract the foreskin for cleaning, as it may cause pain, scarring, bleeding or infection
• as your child gets older, you can give them more independence with cleaning and self-care activities
• if you have difficulty getting your child in and then out of the bath, try giving them warnings and making bath time fun
• gently dry your child completely before getting dressed to avoid rashes. 

It is important that you always stay within arms’ reach of your child in the bath and encourage your child to sit in the bath to avoid slips and falls. Primary carers need to understand the major risks when your child is near a bath, including drowning and hot scalds. See Water safety - Bath time for more safety tips.

All babies and children under the age of 8 years old must be supervised even in the smallest amount of water. Children can drown quickly, quietly and in just a few centimetres of water.

At this age, your toddler will likely know the names of many body parts, like their eyes, nose, arms, and legs. Being curious about private parts and asking questions is a normal part of a child’s development. 

It’s also normal for children to touch their private parts as a self-soothing strategy when they are anxious or because it feels good. This may happen during bath time, nappy changes, or toileting.

You can help your toddler learn more about their private parts by teaching your child: 

• the correct names of their body parts, including all private parts
• the differences between male and female bodies 
• the difference between a public and private body part
• what different body parts do. 

You can also teach toddlers the difference between a secret and a surprise and help them understand their private body parts.  

When babies start to roll and crawl, they will often try to escape from you, which can be dangerous and dirty depending on your stage in the cleaning process. If your child is becoming too active to change on their back, try standing them up and using nappy pants. To ensure your nappy-changing routine is safe and hygienic, you can:

• never leave your baby unattended on a changing table, even if they are secured with a strap
• always wash your hands before and after changing a nappy
• move any dirty wipes and nappies out of the way of your baby
• dispose of dirty disposable nappies by sealing them in a plastic bag or nappy bin – out of the way from curious pets and siblings
• remove any solid waste from reusable nappies before washing by scraping it away with a tissue or toilet paper and flushing down the toilet
• follow wash routine instructions for cloth nappies; wash in hot water (at least 60°c) and make sure they are completely dry before using them again.

Nappy rashes are common and usually happen when your child has been in a dirty nappy for too long. Some children have more sensitive skin and can get nappy rashes more often. You can prevent and manage nappy rash by:

• changing nappies regularly, including every time you see or smell poo or the nappy feels heavy with wee; otherwise, check every 2-3 hours
• avoiding plastic nappy covers that can trap moisture inside
• using barrier creams containing zinc oxide or ones that are suitable for cloth nappies
• not using talcum powder, soap or products that have fragrances
• giving your toddler lots of nappy-free time at home to air out their skin
• checking any rashes and seeing your local doctor if you are concerned.