To shower while baby sleeps in bedroom

[JodieWhittakersBraces]

We've had our first baby and my DH is back to work today after paternity leave. This may seem like a stupid question but we seem to disagree about whether I can take a shower while the baby sleeps in the bedroom without my having a baby monitor to take into the bathroom. I think I should be ok if the baby's upstairs, I'm in and out asap - potentially leaving the bedroom and bathroom doors open. He reckons I need to take a baby monitor into the bathroom (which we haven't yet purchased).

Please be gentle, Mumsnet, we are first time parents

I don't think the NHS knows. Last time I was on their sleep page they managed to talk about the baby being in with an adult for all sleeps and having a good bedtime routine and put down in a dark quiet room

Not to be rude, but LOL.

If you are concerned about SIDS introduce a dummy studies have shown they cut the risk of SIDS by 95%

@SnuggyBuggy I know 😂 a common sense approach is needed.
In your bedroom for 6 months, placed on back at bottom of the crib, safe sleeping bag / blankets used, no toys, pillows, cot bumpers etc used. Dummies are shown to reduce sids risk. No smoking in house.
During the day in the same room you'll be spending most of your time. They do not mean you can't go to the bathroom/shower/make a cup of tea.

@oflow honestly, no one mentioned it because it's really not relevant for going for a shower.

In two years’ time you’ll be cursing the fact you can’t have a shower or go to the toilet without someone coming in saying “Mummy?”
My mum tells me that in ten I'd be cursing the fact that they don't do it anymore. I am waiting to verify.

Hello :) I have 3 children and for all I have felt fine having a quick shower until baby is able to roll. But I’ve always used a video baby monitor or webcam for my twins so I could see them from the shower as I wouldn’t have heard them with water running.

As my health visitor once told me which I’ve never forgotten. Crying never killed a baby. You had to have ten minutes to wash, put a tiny bit of make up on and eat otherwise you’ll be more stressed and tired than necessary and that’s not good for baby in the long run either.

Can you get a baby mobile so at least baby can look at something pretty even if not on if they wake up whilst you aren’t there ? Or there is a white noise machine on the market that turns on when it detects movement which calms baby down maybe that will make you feel better if he does wake and you’re not there ?

But ultimately if baby is in a safe sleeping environment I.e sleeping bag or cellular blanket, feet at the end of the cot and no toys or anything loose in the cot then you should be able to rest for five - ten x

*Please don't OP.

NHS says an adult should be in the room with the baby for all sleep in day or night upto 6 months. In the USA they advise 12 months. It is not about crying but SIDS*

Wow- I left baby in his moses basket whilst I did the housework for over an hour. What an evil abusive mother I am.

I'm not sure of the advice though. The idea is the baby can hear you breathing so syncs with you, but if your tv is on and the baby is over the other side of the room then he won't hear you breathing.

Have a shower! Baby will be fine. X

Do you need to take her in with you to go to the loo as well? Of course she will be fine.
Congratulations on your new baby

I'm assuming op raised this as was worried about SID. I think this article raises some interesting and important points. Particularly the potential effect of sleep deprivation on infants.

www.nytimes.com/2016/11/06/upshot/should-your-baby-really-sleep-in-the-same-room-as-you.html

I’m a new mum too - my little poppet is almost 8 weeks. At first I worried and put him in his car seat in front of the shower so I could see him whilst showering. Now I just pop him in his cot and have my shower and am less worried - I figured that we are asleep all night (albeit he’s in cot right next to bed) and so how is quick shower any different really. You will relax a bit more over next few weeks. And congrats! x

My health visitor always said that if the baby really needs you then you’ll hear them anywhere in the house. Have your shower, baby will be fine in the bedroom.

Should be absolutely fine!

If not you could always bring baby in with you whilst they're awake? I used to take DD into the bathroom with me and put her in her bouncer and she was quite happy to sit in that for 5 or 10 mins whilst I showered. If she was asleep in her cot I'd just go ahead and have a shower whilst she slept next door. It was much easier then than it is now I now have a nearly 3 year old at home with me. Showers have to happen in the evening now when she's in bed, I can't take my eye off her for a second! I miss daytime naps, and being able to place her in her cot and knowing she's safe and can't go anywhere.

@oflow - what exactly does over reaction much mean? It was sarcasm. I thought your response was OTT actually.

Honestly just have the shower. You will be in and out in a couple of minutes. Don’t feel guilty for taking a shower. It’s a basic need.

Have a shower! And if your DH is so worried tell him to sort out a baby monitor sharpish. Does he expect you to be standing over the baby like hawk every minute of everyday?

I'm not sure why u need to argue about it?! The baby will prob be fine but for peace of mind why don't u just take monitor with you? It's not a big inconvenience to take!
I personally had 3 very bad reflux babies to the point of choking &turning blue so would always have taken mine in to bathroom with me or used a monitor. I've never had ant problems with the monitor being affected by steam and I could relax in the shower for a bit longer cos I wasn't feeling rushed to hurry back to them.

Sorry if anyone has mentioned this already but this thread is on Yahoo News.... fyi

I usually just have a bath with my baby and toddler because i can't have a shower without my toddler wanting to get in and i can't give my baby a bath without the toddler over-enthusiastincly cleaning baby while I cling on to baby to keep them afloat. So I find it easier if we all get in. Plus it is lovely bathing with them and saves on water! Also nice if you're breatfeeding.

Nothing wrong with leaving baby while you shower though. Make the most of it while you can!

It's fine. Have your shower... shave your legs if baby is asleep long enough. You deserve it and you need it too. Does your husband get to shower? If it's a huge problem to him why hasn't he been out and got a monitor?

DS had an annoying habit of waking up as soon as I had got my hair wet, but inconsiderate babies aside what is the worst that can happen?

How far away is your bathroom from your bedroom? DS could be heard shrieking from outside the house, there was absolutely no need for a baby monitor. Just leave the doors open.

I always took the monitor into the bathroom if showering when DD was little, probably til she was about 1 . It made me feel better and definitely did not ruin the monitor.

these3havegotthebestofme
I agree: more relaxing to have the monitor in with you so you can see that they're safe, happy & asleep (if a video monitor) and enjoy your shower, rather than potentially rushing, worrying and straining to hear any little sound that could be them waking up.
I found using a monitor reassuring and very covenient.

I used to put the babies in a bouncy chair to watch me.... that counted as an activity! I used to nap when they slept so wouldn't have wasted the time showering.