JOHNSON’S Highlights the Importance of Bath Time for Baby Bonding and Development

For many mothers, baby bath time is sometimes a typical task that can involve a fussy baby, and is viewed as a necessary step just before bedtime or for general clean up. For other mothers, bath time is viewed as a quiet and special time to relax and spend time with their little one. JOHNSON’S®, one of the most trusted baby brands on the market, has put time and resources towards looking into bath time, and found the latter to be more the case when it comes to baby’s overall development. Influence Central was recently invited to attend a JOHNSON’S® event where experts came together to discuss baby development and findings from the JOHNSON’S® Global Bath Time Report, in support of their “So Much More” campaign. As an expecting mom with my first child, I gladly attended to learn insights into why I should treasure bath time with my little one.

JOHNSON’S® is now leading research in multi-sensory experiences in happy baby development, and their campaign “So Much More” shares how rituals such as bath time can stimulate baby’s senses and nurture baby’s ability to learn, think, love and grow. I’m looking forward to giving my daughter baths as a way to spend personal time together, but little did I know how this moment of touch, smell, and nurture can actually help in the positive development of my child.

The event consisted of a panel discussion moderated by Lisa Ling, journalist and host of CNN’s This is Life with Lisa Ling. She was able to provide a personal perspective on how she noticed bath time improved her own daughter’s development, and shared photos and a very sweet video. Other experts on the panel included: Lynn Erdman, CEO of Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses; Dr. Andrew Meltzoff, Co-Director, Institute of Learning and Brain Sciences at the University of Washington; Dr. Kumar Vedantam, Vice President of Technology & Applications at Givaudan (a premier fragrance house that has developed signature scents for JOHNSON’S®); and David A. Mays, Senior Director, Global Scientific Engagement, Skincare for Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies.

Each of the panelists spoke about baby’s development as it related to their areas of expertise. For example, Lynn Erdman spoke about the benefits of skin to skin contact between parent and baby, and massage, and how both of these elements can be incorporated into bath time. Dr. Meltzoff was able to show how touch sensations triggered responses in a baby’s brain, which helps with learning and development. Dr. Vedantam spoke about the calming sensation that comes with certain familiar smells, and how scent is such a strong identifier of home, comfort and love. Lastly, I appreciated how David Mays was able to shine a light on the resources that JOHNSON’S® has put towards baby development, including the recent Global Bath Time Report that the brand sponsored. The survey offered insights into what the ritual of bath time means around the world.

The next time you give your baby a bath, keep in mind that the moment is about so much more than getting your little one clean. It’s a sweet time between parent and child and is vital for the development of a happy and healthy baby. Embrace this important ritual!

For additional information on the So Much More campaign, visit johnsonsbaby.com

Featured Photo Credit: Shutterstock