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Original poster

Putting baby in washing basket in public

219 replies

TottenhamCake · 31/03/2026 12:58

im really keen to find a more practical and safe way of washing my baby (4mo) after his swim lessons. Washing him in the shower feels like a disaster waiting to happen. I like to get him washed there as well, as he’s so exhausted I can’t get a bottle in him before his nap, and hate the thought of chlorine lingering on his skin.

im thinking of getting one of those foldable laundry baskets and using as a kind of bath. The shower heads there aren’t fixed to the wall so this could be done. Will I look like a complete lunatic though? Or does anyone have any better ideas??

OP posts:
Chickadee001 · 02/04/2026 06:35

Sounds logical and safe to me!

Whatwerewetalkingabout · 01/04/2026 23:27

My DS has eczema and I just did a quick rinse in the shower to get the chlorine off us, put some emollient cream on him and went home and had a real bath later. The only downside is that (before kids) I liked to wash my hair after being in the pool but its just not possible with a baby so just a rinse and deal with my hair later.

DaffodilTuesday · 01/04/2026 23:06

I was in the pool showers a few weeks ago and there were two mums who had their babies sat/lying in the baby swim rings (so instead of the legs being through, the baby kind of sat in that). Hard to explain but it was very cute.

EilonwyWithRedGoldHair · 01/04/2026 23:02

BudgetBuster · 01/04/2026 22:44

I don't think the OP was planning to fill a bath... she wants to bring a collapsible laundry basket (so one with holes in the sides for the water to run out) and just basically use the basket as a seat to contain the baby while she hoses it down. Not. Afull bath.

Show quote history

Though funnily enough I did buy a collapsible laundry basket with no holes in to bathe DS in the kitchen when he was about three and difficult to get into a bath full of water but happy to sit in a laundry basket full of water 🤷🏼‍♀️ I felt like I'd gone back in time to when people used tin baths.

Blueink · 01/04/2026 22:56

Can you just give him a quick warm flannel wipe down when you get home, get him cozy, feed and nap.

BudgetBuster · 01/04/2026 22:44

Widgets · 01/04/2026 20:41

Is there time to fill a baby bath and have a full wash in shared showers?!, I thought leisure centre showers were for quick rinse in and out! To give everyone time to use them. Are you taking baby bubble bath / shampoo? How long do you spend in the showers after swimming!

I don't think the OP was planning to fill a bath... she wants to bring a collapsible laundry basket (so one with holes in the sides for the water to run out) and just basically use the basket as a seat to contain the baby while she hoses it down. Not. Afull bath.

BudgetBuster · 01/04/2026 22:42

LeopardPants · 01/04/2026 21:28

Personally I would sack off the swim and make your life a lot easier. Can never understand people taking small babies swimming - seems mental. A lot of hassle just to get a cold and wet baby. Appreciate that wasn’t what you asked tho 😄

For most people though it's really not a hassle. Get baby dressed in swimsuit... get in water... take.swimsuit off and rinse baby... dry and dress baby and BOOM - then comes.the best nap of the week! 😂

Namechangerage · 01/04/2026 22:30

Oh dear god. Precious firstborn syndrome.

I barely even rinsed mine off because I found it really stressful. They have lovely skin now 😉

Whatinthedoopla · 01/04/2026 22:30

When you come out of the pool, take the clothes off, put some soap, wash them down quick.

I think it's more of a faff trying to have your baby washed properly in the pool area, it's just about getting the initial chlorine off

Aphroditesangel · 01/04/2026 22:19

I always just held the baby in the shower with me. I did for all my kids - it’s pretty straightforward. . .

nopenotplaying · 01/04/2026 22:16

I used to put mine in the basket with the washing while pegging out 😂 I think holding baby and a quick rinse would be fine, although awkward. However if I did see you with your baby in the shower in a washing basket I’d hi 5 you! X

Mere1 · 01/04/2026 22:00

takealettermsjones · 31/03/2026 13:04

I mean you would probably look like a bit of a lunatic but why should that stop you if it works for you? 🤣

That said I would definitely just hold baby in my arms and step in, it's only for a quick rinse ☺️

This.

pouletvous · 01/04/2026 21:48

Dodorogers · 01/04/2026 21:32

Swimming with my three month old was the best thing I did postpartum. We carried on for a year and it was amazing, totally worth any ‘hassle’ he also never got cold

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me too. It was never cold. Quite the opposite 😥

pouletvous · 01/04/2026 21:47

Just bath him when you get home

Dodorogers · 01/04/2026 21:32

LeopardPants · 01/04/2026 21:28

Personally I would sack off the swim and make your life a lot easier. Can never understand people taking small babies swimming - seems mental. A lot of hassle just to get a cold and wet baby. Appreciate that wasn’t what you asked tho 😄

Swimming with my three month old was the best thing I did postpartum. We carried on for a year and it was amazing, totally worth any ‘hassle’ he also never got cold

Dodorogers · 01/04/2026 21:31

TottenhamCake · 31/03/2026 12:58

im really keen to find a more practical and safe way of washing my baby (4mo) after his swim lessons. Washing him in the shower feels like a disaster waiting to happen. I like to get him washed there as well, as he’s so exhausted I can’t get a bottle in him before his nap, and hate the thought of chlorine lingering on his skin.

im thinking of getting one of those foldable laundry baskets and using as a kind of bath. The shower heads there aren’t fixed to the wall so this could be done. Will I look like a complete lunatic though? Or does anyone have any better ideas??

just wash him in the shower! I did from three months and he loved it

pimplebum · 01/04/2026 21:29

SarahAndQuack · 31/03/2026 13:08

Ooh, I would think you were a genius! Grin

If anyone asks you just tell them it's the latest model of poolside shower baby equipment and you got it from Mamas and Papas.

Seriously, I would possibly find out of those bath seat things, but I relate to the issue - I also had a DC who would have screamed blue murder about being unsupported in the shower, and I couldn't possibly have held onto her safely and washed her.

you are over thinking it

hold baby in shower , either in your arms or with their feet on the ground if they are sqirmmy rub skin dry and cream if necessary

a quick rinse is enough no need for full bath

LeopardPants · 01/04/2026 21:28

Personally I would sack off the swim and make your life a lot easier. Can never understand people taking small babies swimming - seems mental. A lot of hassle just to get a cold and wet baby. Appreciate that wasn’t what you asked tho 😄

rebus · 01/04/2026 21:17

Echoing many pp--a quick rinse is while holding baby is all you need.

DD has been a serious swimmer (10 swim practices a week including double 2 per days) for over 10 years, and a 3min rinse does indeed get the chlorine off the skin. The entire swim team sticks to quick rinse-type showers after practice. As the girls got older they incorporated Ultra Swim shampoo to get rid of chlorine in their long thick hair, but babies just don't have enough hair for this to be needed.

vickylou78 · 01/04/2026 21:17

Just hold the baby while you shower surely

Widgets · 01/04/2026 20:41

Is there time to fill a baby bath and have a full wash in shared showers?!, I thought leisure centre showers were for quick rinse in and out! To give everyone time to use them. Are you taking baby bubble bath / shampoo? How long do you spend in the showers after swimming!

SP2024 · 01/04/2026 20:08

Mydustymonstera · 31/03/2026 13:16

My bigger concern was always how to wash my own hair, it seemed such a chore not to be able to get it done while already wet!!
you could look into the sort of baby carrier you can use while in water it sounded perfect for the post swim shower (but like a load of extra cost to solve that one tiny problem)

I’ve never once got my hair wet taking my babies swimming until they got much bigger and were jumping in themselves…! How are you getting so wet your hair needs washing?

Switcher · 01/04/2026 20:04

One of mine was so wriggly and slippery I couldn't do that, so I just washed him at home later. Didn't cause any issues.

Bunnycat101 · 01/04/2026 19:50

When I did baby swimming the pool was a private one so basically just had a toilet and a shower. Pretty much everyone just changed the babies and took them home. They lived. However, there was one person that decided they must have a long shower and therefore prevent access to the toilet which became problematic for the toddler classes when you had little ones desperate for a wee.

JLou08 · 01/04/2026 19:47

Yes, you'd look like a lunatic and you'd likely be getting in people's way. Just shower with him. It only takes a couple of minutes and will be safer for him and those around him. Putting him down whilst you fill a bath is what sounds like a disaster waiting to happen!