Bathtime - would you have a newborn share with older sibling?

[Moomin]

Baby no.2 is due in Oct when dd will be 4. Have been looking at baby bath and wondering how complicated bath time actually needs to be. Does anyone use one of those support thingies for the newborn in the bath at the same time as bathing the older one?

[purpleturtle]

I don't think we even used a support - just sort of dipped newborn ds in round dd to get him clean.

[bonym]

We bought a baby bath and have only used it a couple of times. Usually put dd2 (4mths) in with dd1 (7yrs) and just hold her in the crook of one arm, using the free hand to wash her with. Much better imho as there is more space and she can have a good old kick.

[fishfinger]

no just bung htem in
I held ds2 and 3 in wiht he others and they loveit
helps bonding with siblings and gets the m involved

thne send dd1 down to watch tv till you have fed and done baby

[Moomin]

I only thought about a support as we have a very deep roll top bath and unless dh is doing the bath with his big long monkey arms, it might be a struggle for me!

[fishfinger]

no just duip em in quickyl
youll be busier anyway

[mancmum]

we had one of those lie back baths for DD and it made bath time loads easier and a lot more fun as she could splash around -- shared bath times were fab for my 2 (3 yr age gap) - they still do them now 3 years on... really recommend it

[GetMakosiorVanessaorOrlaithOut]

Always just dipped new baby in with others.

They don't get that dirty so they only need a quick dunk!

Never bothered with baby seat or supports.

[bonym]

Moomin, we have a deep roll-top as well but I find it fine (although I guess might have the water deeper for a 7 yr old than a 4yr old - I've got long monkey arms as well )

[GetMakosiorVanessaorOrlaithOut]

Dinosaur - PMSL!!! Ds3 is the same! He's hilarious! Just falls over face first as well and couldn't care less - just laughs! He's 10 months (about the same as yours?)

[hoxtonchick]

we have dipped dd (2 weeks old) in with ds a couple of times, & used the bathroom sink as well. we'll definitely bathe them together when dp goes back to work though.

[GetMakosiorVanessaorOrlaithOut]

Ah yes, forgot about the sink!

Mind you I did that with ds3 the other week but he's 10 months now and I forgot how much he splashes! What a nightmare!!

Ok when tiny of course!

[mandyc66]

we had a baby bath but babies were too big to use for long plus easier in big bath and to bath both together. they shared from about 2 weeks ds3 was about 20months

[Stilltrue]

Ds2, dd and ds3 all were quickly dunked in with older siblings from a very early age. Afterwards, once the new one is out and dried, you can top up the water and add whatever smelly bath products your dd likes. I did also have a great bath for ds3 which was suspended over the main bath, for when i wanted to give him a longer splashier bath without the others around. it had "arms" so was adjustable to fit all sizes; would be great for your deep rolltop. There might even be room at the end of your bath for your dd to have hers at the same time (in other words the baby bath would hang over most of the space available, but there would be some clear "head space" at one end). Can't remember the brand but bought it over the internet. Ds3 is now 18m and I have a swivelling bath seat for him. he goes in with dd,6, and it means I have my hands free to just sit and watch him, or pick up his pjs, etc.

[emmatmg]

Their very first baths were done ina baby bath but I gave up after a few attempts beacuse I always used to spill it on the floor when carrying it to the sink to empty.

From few weeks old baby goes in first for literally a minute just to freshen up (they never get that dirty, do they?) and then when i'm sorting baby out, I'll fill the bath up abit more and the other 2 get in.

[MarsLady]

Yep!

[fruitful]

We've got one of those that fits over the bath too; great because you can fill from the taps and pull the plug out and empty into the bath. And dd (3) has a bath at the same time, and crawls under the baby bath - lots of fun.

DS is 5 months now, we've started putting them in together, with ds in one of those bath armchair support thingies. He likes a long bath and a good kick and its nice to have hands free. Or to leave them both to it while I clean the loo and sink!

We used the baby bath to start with because it saves having to bend over into the bath, and because we were a bit worried he'd poo/vomit into the bath - dd would have been stressed about that. Dh would have been v. stressed about it. Me - whats a bit of bodily fluid between family?

(bath and bath support shown here ).

[hatstand]

we used a plastic bath seat from John Lewis, which is fantastic - cos it actually supports them, meaning you have free hands to wash the older ones hair etc. otherwise bathtime with 2 requires about 4 hands.

[littlerach]

We had a sponge support thing, that was quite good for DD2 to lie on. But as soon as she could sit up shw wasn't having any of it. She is rather manic now, and crawls around the bath, lapping up the water a she goes.

[milward]

Give them a bath at the same time. I used a mothercare bath that fitted over the top of the bath - great for the baby. When dd was too big for this I just supported her in the bath with the others.

[matnanplus]

No worries about bathing baby and sibling together, but be aware that the reclining baby bath supports should only be used in shallow water else baby will literally float off them. Below is a link to a support that is ideal to use in deeper water as it floats and keeps babies head out of the water.Once baby can sit [6m] then a ring seat that suctions to the bath base is a great idea and the children can play while you watch.

www.thebabycatalogue.com/product_info_level2.asp?GROUP1=BATHTIME&G1Desc=Bathtime&GROUP2=BABYBATH&G2Desc=BABYBATH&GROUP3=

[ScrewballMuppet]

Gave both a bath at the same time. Would get the bath ready for older ds get him in then as he played a little while I undressed ds2newborn then would bathe him whilst holding him of course and then get get him ready.