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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would it BU to leave DS alone in the bath briefly?

85 replies

GingerPCatt · 06/09/2012 08:29

I haven't done this I just want opinions

Due to a change at DHs work I'll be alone at night to get DS dinner bath and bed. He's 15 mo and loves having a bath. WIBU to leave him alone for a couple of minutes to tidy the kitchen ect? He's very physically capable and I only fill the bath a few inches. He's my PFB and I'm not sure when people start leaving kids alone in the bath. I don't think he'd like it if I'm still watching him in the bath when he's 15 :-)

OP posts:
booflebean · 06/09/2012 08:30

Yes. It takes a second for a baby to drown. DS is 2 and I still don't leave him, not even for a second.

WhatYouLookingAt · 06/09/2012 08:31

Don't do it. Slippery bath, small fall, and face under the water, all without you hearing it...and he's dead in 3 minutes.
I'm the most laid back parent you could find and this is one thing I would never do.

BertieBotts · 06/09/2012 08:31

No not at 15mo. I've only just started this year and DS is nearly 45.

BertieBotts · 06/09/2012 08:31

FOUR! Blush

tunnocksteacake · 06/09/2012 08:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tee2072 · 06/09/2012 08:33

Too small to be left for even a second.

cornzy · 06/09/2012 08:33

Too young at 15 months

tunnocksteacake · 06/09/2012 08:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MadgeHarvey · 06/09/2012 08:34

How on earth can tidying the kitchen be more important than the safety of your precious child? I don't understand this at all.

TequilaMockinBird · 06/09/2012 08:36

I've just spat coffee everywhere at Bertie's post Grin

YABU op, don't do it.

Moominsarescary · 06/09/2012 08:37

No you shouldn't like others have said he's too young

TwelveLeggedWalk · 06/09/2012 08:37

Lol at 45!
Madge I don't think that's what she was saying, more a genuine question of when does it become ok?

Original poster
GingerPCatt · 06/09/2012 08:37

Ok. I won't leave him. I just wasn't sure when people start leaving kids in the bath. I don't want to baby him but I do want him to be safe. Grin
I'm a bit overprotective about water since when I was little a kid down the road drowned in a swimming pool.

OP posts:
MamaBear17 · 06/09/2012 08:38

Do not do it, the washing up can be left until your baby is in bed. You would never forgive yourself if he slipped and you didnt know until the pots were finished.

Secret7 · 06/09/2012 08:38

first it's a couple of minutes and then as you get more confident it's 10/15 minutes - don't do it. An accident waiting to happen.

Is it really important that the tidying up gets done?

Nanny0gg · 06/09/2012 08:39

You can drown in 2 inches. The tidying can wait. Besides, you can play with him at bathtime, can't you? Also what WhatYouLookingAt said.

I think BertieBotts age limit is about right Grin

MammyToMany · 06/09/2012 08:39

No way would I leave my 15 month old alone in the bath.

I was bathing him last week, playing quack quacks and he slipped off his bum and face first into the water, couldn't get up again as it was slippy. The thought of me not being there to pick him straight back up

SomethingSuitablyWitty · 06/09/2012 08:40

Loved bertie's post about her 45 yo DS. Still giggling at my desk...

But no, you shouldn't do this. It is really not worth the risk. Just enjoy bath time with him. If the place isn't cleaned up until later or until DH gets home, so be it. It's not always possible to get everything done and your DS is your priority.

IawnCont · 06/09/2012 08:40

No no no no no. DC1 was about 4 I think when I started to leave him, and then only to the next room and I'd listen to him chattering.
DC2 is nearly 3 and I wouldn't.

I do understand your overprotectiveness though OP, I'm a bit like that.

mummymeister · 06/09/2012 08:41

buy a cheap new born baby bath fill it with water, stand it on towels/bin bags/whatever on the kitchen floor and let him play in it whilst you do the kitchen. never even think of leaving him on his own in a bath not even for a minute. not only drowning but pooing in the bath, burning himself on the hot tap, you may as well open the door and let him play with the traffic! This is why there are many many more accidents in the home than anywhere else. dont even consider it until he starts school.

MrsHelsBels74 · 06/09/2012 08:41

Our son is 2.7 & we still don't leave him in the bath unsupervised & have no plans to do so in the immediate future.

mummymeister · 06/09/2012 08:43

" I don't want to baby him..." OP really he is only a baby. if your post concerned a 7 year old then i would be agreeing but dont wish him grown up yet eh.

addictedisback · 06/09/2012 08:44

To clean the kitchen, no I wouldn't do it. But to grab a nappy, another dry towel, pick up the phone etc I have done it. But literally for less than 30 seconds.

marshmallowpies · 06/09/2012 08:50

Based on what people have said here and what I've heard elsewhere, between 4-5 (not 45!) seems to be the norm.

I have made the mistake of putting DD on the bath and then realising I didn't have the towel - even though it would have meant turning my back on her for just seconds to reach it, I was too scared to do it and instead had to grab the nearest towel which was a tiny hand towel!

EasilyBored · 06/09/2012 08:51

Can't you just tidy the kitchen once he's in bed? YABU.

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