Bath time disaster

[daisy86]

My DS is 10 months old and and can sit up unassisted, so I thought it was time to move him from his Schnuggle tub into the big bath.

I bought a rubber bath mat for him to sit on, but after sitting happily for a few minutes he suddenly lost his grip and started sliding down the bath! I managed to grab him before his head went underwater but it was quite scary.

After that I was too nervous to let him go so had to wash his hair with one hand whilst holding him with the other, not an easy feat.

Although he can sit unassisted, I do always put pillows around him just in case and he seems to enjoy throwing himself back onto them and laughing It’s fine on his playmat but not so much in the bath!

I’m not sure what to do now - should I put him back in the Schnuggle and wait a month or two?

Also, how deep should the water be? I ran it to about a centimetre below his belly button which I thought was fine, but perhaps not.

The falling backwards actually helps him strengthen his back and stomach muscles, as he'll be working to avoid it most of the time. If he's on a cushioned mat, he'll be fine as well; babies are tougher than they're given credit for. They need to be physically challenged to develop strength and balance.

I didn't have anything in the bath as I had hands. It's what kids do - and if I'd only ever been allowed to sit in a bath, the first thing I'd be doing would be to lie back and enjoy the feeling of warm water over more than my legs and tummy.

I’m confused why it matters if you were there. DS often slips in the tub as he tries to stand in it now, face goes under, and I bring him up. No harm. I keep water fairly deep so he doesn’t hurt himself when he slips.

I have an angel care seat. Dd used it properly until she was sitting fully. She's now nearly three and still starts her bath lying back on it to get her hair washed. Very long hair and much easier than me getting it in her eyes.

I was exactly the same re playing and I hereby confess I covered the floor with my duvet incase she bumped her pfb self

Ds is 8 months and starting to crawl, he wouldn't be doing so if he was surrounded by cushions all the time as you can see him figuring out how to get from sitting to onto all 4s. He baths with nothing and slips and slides all over giggling, his is just below his belly button too. They won't build core muscles without being allowed to sit freely instead of leaning into the cushions

Yeah that's not a disaster. He slipped and you caught him. It happens.
With regards to him hitting his head on a foam play mat, with kindness, you really are being over cautious. He will be fine. It's foam, think about you sitting on a foam mat and falling back, would you be seriously hurt?
By the time he's walking he will be banging his head constantly if he is anything like my toddlers. You really can't keep him in cotton wool forever.

If you submerge a towel in the bath and sit him on that, it'll be less slippy under his bum. A pain to dry each time but it does work

My 8 month old just sits on a bath mat and I stay there the whole time with a hand hovering whilst I play with him. I only fill the bath quite shallow ( only just covering his thighs really) so after a bit I lie him down in the water to wash his hair and he chews on his toothbrush. He doesn't get cold as I use a sponge to keep warm water on his back and tummy. Yes he gets water in his ears and if he turns his face to look for a toy he gets a face full but I like to think he's learning to be confident in water for when he learns to swim when he's older!

Thanks @Rubiales678. Does he get irritated by the water in his ears afterwards?

I’ve reverted back to the baby bath but might give the big one another try.

I never used any cushioning or pillows around my baby. When he could sit then he could sit. He’s never fallen backwards apart from after his 1 year jabs when he was feeling crap, but even then he was able to stop himself from hitting the floor.

We started using the normal bath around 8 months. He’s had a few slips but we are always there to make sure nothing bad can happen. Babies will give themselves a fright but it’s best not to make a big deal out of it. Going under the water isn’t okay but if you’re supervising them then you should be able to grab them just like you did.

@daisy86 no his ears are fine and we've been doing it a couple months now. Yeah give the big bath another try! Buy some nice bath toys , little boats, ducks, a mirror and your little one will love the extra space to splish and splash . I sing this little piggy went to market in the bath and he loves it and also ring a ring o Rosie...I make it quite splashy so he's not scared getting his face wet!

Have you tried the shower yet? My just turned 10 month old has been just showering with us the last 6 weeks due to building work making bath out of action.
I was planning on using baby bath at bottom of shower, but he’s actually fine just being held and showered. Doesn’t seem bothered by water if it goes in his eyes, and it’s actually far quicker as if dh or I just take him in with us.

I’ve not tried the shower, but would be too worried about dropping him to be honest. He’s wriggly enough already, without the added slippiness from the water!

I personally wouldn't bother with a seat as like someone else said it's for such a short time it's not really worth it. I also think they are not learning how to manage their own movements safely in the water if they are stuck in a seat. They won't learn it's slippy if they are not able to slip and slide around a bit.