Baby bath?

[ShabbyAbby]

Do I need one if I don't have a bath? Or will a sink or washing up bowl do (very well cleaned obviously)

AIBU to think it's an unnecessary piece of equipment and that, actually, a top and tail does for most washes anyway? And a sink or bowl will do the job otherwise?

Another vote for the shnuggle bath. We love it, I got nervous when bathing baby in the sink (on holiday) as they're so slippery. You just fill up the shnuggle so not a huge use of water and it holds them up. My little boy loves it!

We used a schnuggle until about a year old. I liked that it had the bum rest so it was easier to clean and hold slippery baby in place. Like a pp we mainly stopped because DC was standing up and leaning out rather than because they had grown out of it (though it was a snugger fit by the ). We did have an inflatable bath for traveling but actually if we were in the car we took the schnuggle - it is bulky but you can use it to pack stuff in.

We had an Angelcare bath support - it was brilliant. When she started sitting up we moved onto a bath seat but that only lasted a few weeks and we just use an anti slip mat now.

I bought both second hand so only cost me £10 for both (and I've sold them on again), whereas the bath support is £25 on its own in the shops.

Is your shower one with a head that comes off and a hose rather than fixed? If so then a bath seat in the bottom of the shower and wash the baby with the shower head.

@Oysterbabe

Yes that's how I wash the toddler! He puts his toys in the bottom of the shower and then with a combination of a jug, flannel and shower head I wash him (often with help from him and much bathroom soaking).

I did think maybe a bath insert in the shower tray might work better than a baby bath because the room is so blinking small

I got a baby bath second hand, used that until baby was old enough to sit up unaided, then switched to sink baths in the kitchen sink and then when he was about 18 months I just started putting him in the shower with me. I'd definitely try and get one second hand first as they can be handy, especially if you get one with the little seat in the bottom to make it a bit easier while they're tiny x

It’s such a shame not to bath babies, most of them love it - and sleep well afterwards.

My youngest sibling is 30 and my mum still occasionally gets the baby bath out for something. Storing water if it's going to be shut off, soaking something to leave a sink free etc. It's a reasonably handy thing to have around. Just get a decent sized one if you don't have a bath, so that it'll last you a while.

My friend users a paddling pool in the shower for her two girls.

Can’t believe all the people who showered a baby when water temperature can change from normal to scalding or freezing

I recommend googling thermostatic showers.

Our shower doesn’t change from normal to scalding or freezing! It maintains a constant temperature, as it’s designed to do.
My DC hate the shower though.

Actually @ShabbyAbbey, the best thing seems to be a clothes basket - has holes in so the water can flow but keeps youngster contained.

I wouldn’t be without my baby bath! I’ve used it from birth to about the age of 2 with my first and I’m using it again with my second. They only cost £6 in Asda.

The schnuggle is massive! Saw it today. Gosh, they all were.

My shower room is only for hobbits so couldn't fit one in there

Gosh I need to move. I miss having a tub

We used the schnuggle on our table in the living/dining room for the first six months or so anyway! It saved my back not having to bend down to the floor....

You can use whatever you have.

I'm a nurse. I've worked in postpartum. I've bathed babies in:

-sinks
-special baby bath
-basin
stainless steel roasting pan (yup, that's what the unit had on hand!)

As long as you can bath baby safely it really doesn't matter what you use. I might suggest that the shower probably isn't the best just because wet babies can be very slippery. Also remember that a baby or child cannot be safely left alone in a bath, even in a bath seat or bath ring.

I got a folding baby bath of a mate but you can find similar on eBay for about a fiver. One they can sit up just wash them in the shower.

You might see if you can even get a really large mixing bowl. Seriously. That might work. We have some massive mixing bowls that would probably hold a small baby.