Bath time with a little one usually starts with a towel ready and a wriggling child who would rather be somewhere else. A hooded towel can make the moment after the bath calmer, warmer and quicker. The choice matters more than it seems, because the towel is the first thing your child touches when they climb out of the water.
Why a hood helps
A hood keeps a baby’s head and ears covered while you dry the rest of their body, which many parents find useful when the bathroom is cool. It also gives you something to hold on to when a toddler decides to slide off the bath mat. A hood stays in place better than a flat towel when you are rushing, and that makes the whole routine feel more manageable.
Choose a fabric that soaks up water
Terry towelling is the usual choice for hooded towels, because its loops soak up water quickly. Check the label for the fibre content, and look for 100% cotton if that is what you prefer. A thicker towel feels cosier, but it takes longer to dry on the line, so think about your washing routine before you choose the heaviest option.
Check the size and the hood
A hood that sits well on a small head makes a real difference. Look at the measurements rather than guessing from a photograph. If the towel is too big, it trails in the water and picks up grit from the bottom of the bath. If it is too small, it will not cover the shoulders when your child sits up to be dried.
Think about the washing routine
Babies and toddlers go through towels quickly, so pick one you can wash often without fuss. Follow the care label, use a gentle programme and avoid harsh bleach unless the label allows it. A towel that washes well stays soft, and that matters against delicate skin.
Make the towel part of the fun
Many children enjoy bath time more when the towel becomes part of the game. Let them choose a design they like, let them decide which part gets dried first, and count down to the moment the hood goes on. Small routines like this help bath time feel like something to look forward to, rather than something to rush through.
Choosing between a hooded towel and a wrap
Some parents prefer a wrap, which is a larger towel that covers the whole body, while others find a hooded towel easier for the first few months. A wrap gives more cover when the room is cold, and a hooded towel is quicker to put on a wriggling child. If you go through a lot of towels in a day, a set with one of each is a practical choice, because each does a different job at different points in the routine.
A simple drying routine
Have everything ready before you lift your child out of the water: the towel warmed on a radiator rail if it is safe to do so, a clean nappy and a change of clothes laid out. Start with the hood, dry the face gently, then work down the body. Pat rather than rub, which is kinder to delicate skin and quicker for you when the moment is busy.
Bath time for the first few months
Newborn bath time is usually short, quick and a bit clumsy, and that is normal. Many families use a small bath or a sink for the first weeks, which means the towel is handled in a more confined space. Keep the towel within arm’s reach, and dry your baby before you do anything else. Once the routine settles, a hooded towel can become the part of bath time your baby recognises as the signal that the bath is over.
Storing and drying towels between washes
Let each towel dry fully before folding it away, because a damp towel in a cupboard can smell stale within a day or two. Hang them somewhere airy rather than behind a closed door. Keeping one spare in the drawer means you are never caught out when the towel from the last bath is still on the line.
What to avoid
Keep towels away from heaters and open flames, and do not leave a child unattended on a changing mat or in a bath while you reach for a towel. Check the care label before you use bleach or a hot dryer, because some towels are more delicate than they look.
If you are looking for a hooded baby towel to try, The Towel Shop’s baby collection includes hooded terry towels in 100% cotton. British Wholesales also sells a terry towelling baby hooded towel, which is worth comparing on size and weight before you decide.
Keep it simple
A good hooded baby towel is soft, dries at a reasonable speed, fits your child and washes easily. You do not need a cupboard full of extras. Pick one or two you like, keep a spare for the days when the first one is in the wash, and let bath time become the calm part of the evening.
- Bex Smith
- Bex Smith