How Do I Bathe My Growing Son?

Updated on July 12, 2008
J.S. asks from Novato, CA
13 answers

I have been using one of those baby bath tubs but now my son is getting too large for it. He can't sit up so I cant yet use the kitchen sink and the bathtub is out of the question... what did the rest of you do in this awkward interim?

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So What Happened?

Thank you ladies for helping me. I will check out the inflatable bathtub or insert... I like that idea. My son is too squirmy to take a shower or bath with. I tried it one time and I almost dropped him. Not to mention I give a bath before daddy gets home and don't have anyone to hand him to once I get him clean. :)

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L.R.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi J.,
When my daughter was too big for a baby tub but couldn't sit up I would take a bath with her too. I bought a bath seat which latches on to the side of the tub when she was able to sit up. I have also bathed babies in the tub with just a little water while they were laying on their backs.
Sincerely,
L.

1 mom found this helpful

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C.W.

answers from Sacramento on

For all three of my kids, we used an inflatable tub that goes in your bath. These tubs are great because they can't bang themselves on the hard sides. You can use shallow water for pre-sitters and then fill it up more as they grow. We use them until they start crawling out of them because you use less water and they don't slip easily. Money well spent. http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2627247

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T.S.

answers from Sacramento on

I always just took my son in the tub or shower with me at that age. Not only do you both get clean but you get some nice skin to skin time so a bath becomes relaxing and bonding rather than a chore.

HTH,
T.

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S.H.

answers from San Francisco on

I have always just used the bathtub and took a bath with my children.

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C.L.

answers from Fresno on

We used an inflatable tub that fits right into the tub. She is 16 months old (27-28 lbs.)and can still fit in it.

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P.L.

answers from San Francisco on

I have been taking both of my boys to the tub with me and the shower since they were born. They are 3 years and 8 months old. You have your husband by to take the young one. My favorite time is bath time with my kids! Good luck

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R.M.

answers from San Francisco on

My kids used a bath ring that helps them to sit up. It worked really well. You need to supervise, but it really gives an active kid a chance to play in the water. Here's an example:

http://kidsstuff.stores.yahoo.net/b148-bathring.html

Good luck!

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K.D.

answers from San Francisco on

We loved the way my husband and I did it: we took a bath with our baby! One of us would be in the bathtub and the other outside, and the one outside would hand the baby to the other, and then when the baby was done, the one outside would take the baby and dry her off while the other finished their bath. We held baby gently in the warm bath, and let her "float" and "swim". The kids loved it, and so did we. Now our grandson and his wife also bathe their baby this way,and she loves it too!

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J.L.

answers from San Francisco on

There is a nice intermediate-sized tub that's big enough for a toddler but has moldings inside to allow you to bathe a younger baby in it too. I had to get one for my big guy b/c it wasn't always practical to have him in the tub with me. I got it at Babies R Us. One brand is a Eurobath, but the one I got says its a Primo. You can look at them on Amazon to get an idea what it looks like. Happy tubbing!

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C.A.

answers from San Francisco on

I know you posted what happened, but I thought I would add a couple things. 1. We used a bath seat. The one we got attached to the side of the tub (which made it secure and wouldn't slip out from under the baby), had nice arm rest for mom and attached and detached easily. 2. My friend had the blow up duck tub and now that her kids are older she uses it outside as a swimming pool on hot days.
Thought I would share!

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S.B.

answers from Sacramento on

yep I bath with them too when they are that little :)

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A.P.

answers from Sacramento on

clean your bathtub really well, take out any anti-slip gear, fill it up with about 3-4 inches of warm bath water, let your son scoot around on his back and sit with him. I used to sit on the side soaking my feet and singing to my daughter (I think rubber ducky was the song) and she would just shoot up and down the tub zipping around on her back like a frog, I actually filled it deeper, but I started extremely shallow to see how she would react. It was VERY positive. I began to do this really early, she was about 1 month. VERY cute, you will die it's so adorable. I would sponge her body and hair off with a baby magicked washcloth when she slowed down for a few seconds, and then she'd kick off and scoot to another part of the tub. Hilarious.

Well, as long as you son really digs water, he would really like scooting around on his back in a few inches of warm water. Obviously I don't need to say that you never leave the tub in case the child flips over face down (mine never did, but you never know.) Have fun!

PS we took showers with her too. The trick to that is wrapping the bottom in a wet washcloth so it's not too slippery. :o)

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J.M.

answers from San Francisco on

I liked bathing my kids in the kitchen sink even before they could sit up. I used to put a towel in the bottom of the sink that draped up over the side to provide cushioning for their heads (just in case) and to be less slippery on their bums. While I did cradle them the whole time with one hand while washing with the other, it was easier for me than bending over the tub. My sink was never so clean!

I also used to shower with them. When I didn't have anyone to pass them to, I would put the bouncy chair in the bathroom with a towel on it. When they were clean, into the chair they went, wrapped in the towel and buckled in. Sometimes I was actually able to finish my own shower too. Usually not. But sometimes is better than never.

Other than that, we did a lot of "Marine Baths." Warm soapy washcloth cleans all the important (and smelly) bits.

Good luck.

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