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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think if you're short you can't enjoy a good bath

126 replies

speckledostrichegg · 04/01/2021 17:54

Have always hated having baths. I make it all nice, get in, then spend an uncomfortable 15 mins lying on my back and slowly sliding into the bubbles until I'm underwater. So many books have wavy pages from my bath disasters.

I've since realised that the average person can brace their feet against the end of the bath, thus staying upright and have a relaxing soak without fear of drowning.

The thing is I'm not even that short (5'2'') and have always had average sized bathtubs, so am I missing some kind of essential bath life skill?

Short mumsnetters please do let me know Grin

OP posts:
Brabarella · 04/01/2021 22:23

I’m 5 foot 1 and have never had this problem, I’m trying to imagine it but can’t

Daydreamsinglorioustechnicolor · 04/01/2021 22:26

I'm 5ft 2 and know exactly what you mean!

Ifonlyiweretaller · 04/01/2021 22:30

I'm 5'1" and also slip down the bath! I've tried bath pillows, mats, various 'steps' to put at the end to rest my feet on, but nothing works. We thought it looked so stylish when we bought it, but the shape of the bath is so uncomfortable to lean my back against, I think I've had less than a dozen baths in the 12 years we've lived here! And it's high sided so I can't even reach a glass of wine or rest a book anywhere nearby!
Fortunately it was only put in the guest bathroom, but I do sometimes fancy luxuriating, so when we re-do it I will spend as long as it takes lying in showroom baths to find one that's comfortable!

Nacreous · 04/01/2021 22:32

I must have the shortest bath in the world because I am 5'4" and can't fit both knees and shoulders under. This has never been an issue for me that I have noticed. I am in bed or I would go down and measure it...I might in the morning!

Weevle84 · 04/01/2021 22:36

This happens me! I am 5'2 and the slipping down drives me insane. I have been known to put the kids frozen bathroom step at the bottom of the bath to keep me from drowning!

CherryBlossomTree7 · 04/01/2021 22:38

I know you're not joking OP but I am laughing (sorry). It never occured to me that an adult might slip down the bath.

I am 5 ft 8 and whilst my feet do reach the end of the bath, I always put them on the bottom of the bath. This is just the comfiest position for me. And you can rest a book on your knees. Try this instead. Also, as a pp said, why don't you try a bath mat?

BrightYellowDaffodil · 04/01/2021 22:45

I'm 5'2 and one of the few benefits of being this short (aside from never having to worry about leg room on planes) is being able to lie fully submerged in the bath!

ErrolTheDragon · 04/01/2021 22:48

I'm 5'1, we have a corner bath which is somewhat short but quite wide. Very comfortable.Grin

I quite like a bath big enough to totally float in occasionally.

Hankunamatata · 04/01/2021 22:52

Nope. We have extra long bath for lanky dh. I'm currently soaking, no problems

Flipflops123 · 04/01/2021 22:53

I'm 5ft. I have a short bath and one of these to prop my book (and wine) on. Bliss!

to think if you're short you can't enjoy a good bath
1Morewineplease · 04/01/2021 22:56

A long bath mat from Amazon helped.
I generally loathe baths.

DoTheNextRightThing · 04/01/2021 22:57

I'm just under 5'2 and I get this completely 😂 can never get comfy in the bath. Sometimes I just give up and lie on my front in the water.

Pinkstars2501 · 04/01/2021 23:02

I'm 5ft 1, average sized bath. I had this problem until I bought a bath pillow. Somehow the extra couple inches mean my feet touch the end enough to stop me slipping.

You could always get a second one and put it at your feet, kind of wedges you in.

ElfIsAnAss · 04/01/2021 23:03

YANBU!! I'm also 5'2". Our bath is bigger than average! Even using tiptoes I struggle to lie down in the bath properly! I do love the bath (was already here when we moved in) so won't replace it till we absolutely have to.

notangelinajolie · 04/01/2021 23:04

We have huge bath and even DH struggles to reach the end. At 5 foot 1 and a bit I've got no chance. I really don't like bath mats but I've found that a flannel , placed in the appropriate position stops me slipping.

HotButteredRumPaPumPum · 04/01/2021 23:40

You have 2 options when you're a short arse like me.
Sit or wallowGrin

FlyingPandas · 04/01/2021 23:54

YABU OP.

It's nothing to do with being short, there is no such thing as a 'good bath'. I'm 5ft 7 but have never felt the need to wallow in rancid warm water trying to ignore my unattractive rolls of flab whilst attempting to read a book. What exactly is relaxing or pleasant about a bath? They're awful.

Ditch the bath and have a nice, invigorating, healthy shower instead, I say. Showers are lovely and inclusive and they don't mind how tall you are. Baths are EVIL.

Fizbosshoes · 04/01/2021 23:55

Ive always thought being short was an advantage as I can just about lie down in it and be fully covered. (admittedly I don't read books in the bath)

purpleme12 · 05/01/2021 00:12

This thread has actually made me really appreciative that I'm so short and can fit my whole body stretched out under the warm water. I hadn't thought much about it before but actually I'm really glad now

Shmithecat2 · 05/01/2021 12:50

@purpleme12

This thread has actually made me really appreciative that I'm so short and can fit my whole body stretched out under the warm water. I hadn't thought much about it before but actually I'm really glad now
That is the dream for me. Sigh.
Ginfordinner · 05/01/2021 18:22

Goes off to measure the bath {grin]

suem56 · 02/01/2025 14:44

This us a really old thread that I found when looking for help for the exact same problem. We moved house a year ago and now have a bath which I'm certain is shorter than our old one but I hate it because I slide down. Never had the issue with previous larger bath so have to think it's related to the material. Dont ask me what it is - they're both some sort of polycarbonate whatever ie not ceramic or a hard material. It's plain weird - and infuriating

AuntieGrizelda · 02/01/2025 15:07

I am 5'3" and have the same issue with our bath. I also read in the bath. My DH is 6'2" so we got a longer than average bath to accommodate him. It took me ages to work how to have a comfortable bath without slipping down all the time. I didn't occur to me at the time we bought the bath that this would be an issue.

At the moment I have a large headrest which I think was advertised (on Amazon) as some kind of spa head cushion. It sticks onto the bath with suckers. The headrest is fabric and does get wet so I have to wear a shower cap if I don't want my hair to get wet. I also have a mat on the bottom of the bath to stop me slipping down. It is a clear one with suckers on the bottom so that it doesn't look to OAP-ish.

In the past, I have tried putting a headrest at the bottom end of the bath to put my feet on but it didn't work that well.

I have experienced many different baths whilst on holidays as I always request a room with a bath. Some European baths are shallow but the length is OK. Not so good when you are a size 18.

I find the short free standing baths equally uncomfortable. You end up more or less sitting up in them. This sounds good but I don't find it very relaxing.

I would never buy another bath without lying in it first. I think the regular sized baths from the 60's take some beating when it comes to comfort and reading in the bath

LisaD1 · 02/01/2025 15:09

I’m 5ft 3 and have no trouble in the bath, I do have a suction pillow I use and I’m fat so not slipping easily 😂

suem56 · 02/01/2025 18:37

Well just after posting I found something that I hope will help - it's effectively a mat but looks quite discreet, from Slipsaway - I'll post a link but it may not work. I'll update in a couple of weeks when I've tried it. Btw I also got a head pillow but I'd need another for the other end and the section pads won't stay in place there
https://slipsaway.co.uk/products/non-slip-adhesive-bath-shower-mat-white-or-clear?srsltid=AfmBOopCAIEc2B_WuS5ZSLYAvK2zVQT1vM5naEaCPW82sGdIG3tdUdrs