Babies love to play and explore new playthings. The joy a baby shows when going down a slide for the first time is a feast for the parents’ eyes. Whether you plan to take your baby to the slide at your nearest park or buy a baby slide for your baby at home, there are a few things you must know and consider. Slides for babies are not only entertaining for babies but also can help with many developmental aspects.
When babies play with slides, they are developing their gross and fine motor skills and also their social skills develop. But having said that, safety is a major consideration. You have to buy slides that are baby-safe and do not cause any injuries to babies. Here is all you need to know about baby slides.
In This Article
- What is a Baby Slide?
- Are Baby Slides Safe For Babies?
- At What Age Can a Baby Use a Slide?
- Top 4 Benefits of Slides For Babies
- Baby Slides You Can Consider For Your Baby
- What Kind of Dress Should Your Baby Wear When Going on Slides?
- Safety Tips For Babies While Using Slides
- FAQ’s
What is a Baby Slide?
A slide is a kind of slope that kids in the playground use to slide down. It comes in different sizes and shapes in the market. It is a kind of raised platform with a connecting staircase and platform at the top. Your baby will sit there and slide down from that height chute towards the downside.
Baby slides are different from normal sides in aspects such as height, angle of slope, size and safety. These slides are baby safe, have less steeper slopes and minimize the scope of injuries to a large extent. While some parks have baby slides, you can also buy one for your baby if you have enough space to place it in your baby’s nursery or your lawn.
Are Baby Slides Safe For Babies?
Baby slides are relatively safe for older babies who can sit without support. But you must ensure that the slide has height and other parameters that your baby can easily manage. There should be no sharp edges that can hurt your baby. You must also constantly supervise your baby when they are on the slide as babies are too young to navigate a baby slide though it is designed specifically for babies.
[Read : When Do Babies Sit Up Without Support?]
At What Age Can a Baby Use a Slide?
Babies can start using slides when they are about 8 months and older. Babies need to be able to sit at least with support when using the slide. Otherwise, there is a chance of injuries. It is important to remember that slides are absolutely unsafe for babies who are less than 8 months old. If your baby is older than 8 months and is not able to support themselves, it is better to keep them away from the slides.
Top 4 Benefits of Slides For Babies
Slides can be beneficial for babies in many ways if you take all the necessary precautions. Here are some of the benefits of slides for babies.
1. Coordination and Balance
As you help your baby climb up a slide or place them at the top of the chute and let them slide slowly, they are developing crucial coordination and balance abilities. As they reach the bottom of the chute, it aids in the development of spatial awareness in older babies.
2. Social Skills Development
As babies learn to play with other babies and toddlers, the interaction will help develop their social skills. They learn to communicate with others and pick up words when toddlers interact with them and with each other. Babies learn to laugh, have fun and patience as they wait for their turn as other are playing on the slides.
[Read : Social Emotional Developmental Milestones in Infants]
3. Fine Motor Skills
As your baby tries to hold the rung of the ladder to go up and slowly holds to support while trying to slide down, the strength of their grip increases which later helps them with fine motor skills such as picking food when eating, holding crayons etc.
4. Gross Motor Skills
As babies move up and down the slide, their gross motor skills also improve and babies learn that they can move when they push themselves forward.
Baby Slides You Can Consider For Your Baby
There are many types of slides available for babies. While some of them can be chosen for home purposes, others would be more appropriate to be installed in playgrounds. Some common baby slides for babies include
- Straight Slides
- Curved Slides
- Spiral Slides
- Wavy Slides
- Freestanding Slides
- Sectional Slides
What Kind of Dress Should Your Baby Wear When Going on Slides?
Fully covered dresses such as full pants and shirts with full sleeves are safe for babies since they protect your baby from elements of nature such as heat and cold. Fully dressing your baby also minimizes injuries for your munchkin. In addition, insect and mosquito bites can be prevented.
Do not let your baby wear dresses with loose parts that can cause choking or get in your baby’s mouth while playing. Let them wear something they are comfortable with. The dresses should be weather-appropriate and keep your baby safe.
Safety Tips For Babies While Using Slides
Are you planning to take your baby to the slide? Here are a few safety tips to follow.
- Metal slides may cause burns on the hands and legs if they become overheated from the sun. Slides made of plastic can also get quite warm. Look for playgrounds with sheltered slides on hot, bright days.
- Slides ought to include a platform with rails for babies to grip onto at the top. The baby should sit before sliding down the slide if there is a railing, hood, or other structure at the top. The sides of open slides should be at least 4 inches high.
- At the bottom of a slide, make sure there are no rocks, glass, sticks, toys, clutter, or other kids. These could prevent a baby from landing securely. The space that has been cleared out in front of the slide should be as long as the platform’s height.
- To prevent head injuries, teach your little one to slide down the slide feet first and to wait until everyone in front of them has gone all the way down.
- Avoid sliding down the slide while holding the baby on your lap. Even while they can appear secure if you are holding them, research shows that sitting on an adult’s lap while sliding can cause harm to the baby.
Slides for babies can be an excellent source of entertainment and comfort as long as a few very important safety measures and precautions are followed. Choosing the right playground or the right baby slide is very important. Do not let your baby slide on ones meant for older toddlers and kids. Most of all enjoy with your baby. Playtime is an excellent opportunity to create bonding between you and your munchkin.
[Read : When Should You Introduce Baby Swings to Your Baby?]
FAQ’s
1. When Is it Safe For My Baby to Slide?
Your baby must be at least 8 to 12 months old to be able to get on a slide. By this time, most babies can sit, an essential skill that is needed to slide down the chute of a slide.
2. How Do Slides Improve Gross Motor Skills in Babies?
Older babies will need to ascend the ladder or steps to reach the slides. As a result, your munchkin is learning to balance and change his or her weight. Babies get to play with different body postures while sliding down and getting a sense of how their bodies are moving while also improving their control and balance.
3. Are There Any Drawbacks to Outdoor Playgrounds and Play Areas For Babies?
Unpredictable weather means rainy or sunny sometimes and no shelter for protection, which can cause flu or cold-like symptoms. Exposure to dirt and dust can cause bacterial infections when getting any type of wound or if slides are rusted. Playground equipment, if not maintained timely, causes a risk of bruises or cuts to the baby. Compared to indoor playgrounds, there is a lack of safety in outdoor playground activities.
Read Also: Taking Babies to Playground – How it Helps in Baby’s Development
