Once your child is able to walk, he or she will start picking things up off of the ground, and putting them in his or her mouth. Toddlers don't understand that certain objects are dirty and that they shouldn't put them in their mouths. It's up to you to teach them what they shouldn't touch, and shouldn't put in their mouths.

Most toddlers are messy and will get very dirty in the process of playing and exploring. Parents need to keep in mind that germs are actually good and that a lack of exposure to bacteria may actually be behind the rise in asthma and allergies. Try not to overdo it with antibacterial soaps and wipes. You may be doing your toddler a disservice by using them.

However, since your toddler is bound to get dirty, you should bathe him or her frequently, and eventually teach them how to wash their own hands and face. To make bath time fun, you should provide some toys. You don't need to keep your hand on your child at all times now, because he or she is able to sit upright. Some toddlers even enjoy showers, so you can try those from time to time.

Most people bathe their toddlers a few times a week. Doing it every night isn't really necessary, but there's nothing wrong with it. In addition to bath toys, you will want "no tears" shampoo, mild soap, a wash cloth and towels and cotton swabs. This is also  an opportune time to  brush  your toddler's teeth, so don't forget the toothbrush and toothpaste!

Make sure the water is warm, but not hot. Dipping your elbow in is the best way to test it. Put your toddler in the tub, or help him or her step in. Make sure your toddler is seated at all times. Get your toddler to look up, and pour water over his or her hair, avoiding the face as much as possible. Rub the shampoo into the hair, and quickly rinse it out, once again getting your toddler to look up. If your toddler has long hair that gets in tangles, try using a shampoo with a conditioner.

Put some mild soap in a wash cloth and gently clean and rinse your toddler's face. Next you should focus on cleaning the hands, feet and genitalia. Now clean the rest of your toddler's body. Clean the outer ear with a cotton swab.

Now you can brush your toddler's teeth. If your child's back teeth haven't come in yet (they usually do around 18 months), then you can just clean the teeth with a washcloth. Once the back teeth come in, start using a toddler's toothbrush. Try brushing the tongue as well if your toddler will let you, since it helps prevent bad breath. Try to encourage your toddler to brush his or her own teeth as soon as possible.

If your toddler is fussy about brushing or bathing, try making it fun, by turning it into play time. Getting a toothbrush with one of your child's favourite characters on it, and having lots of toys and distractions in the tub can help a lot.