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Parenting

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Original poster

How to clean baby when we only have a shower at home

25 replies

mitfordsisters · 31/12/2007 11:06

This is in the wrong topic, but couldn't find where to put it!

I'm expecting my first child and was thinking about using an inflatable baby bath on the floor in the bathroom - we've only got a small house and no bath. Anyone else found a good solution?

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Anna8888 · 31/12/2007 11:08

A plastic basin/baby bath that you put in the shower cubicle?

PestoMonster · 31/12/2007 11:10

Could you not bath your baby in the sink?

Shitemum · 31/12/2007 11:11

A small rigid plastic baby bath will fit in your shower and will be easier to clean than an inflatable one. We had no bath till DD1 ws 18mo and we used one of those bath things on wheels with shelves underneath, but a plastic bath on a sturdy table also works fine. Just a bit of a a palaver filing and emptying. You don't have to bath babies every day tho, it's winter! (Mine have baths and hairwash once a week at the moment). In fact we still use the small bath inside the big one now as it uses less water and stays warmer for longer...

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LIZS · 31/12/2007 11:13

put plug in shower base and use a bath seat ?

Shitemum · 31/12/2007 11:14

Oh, yes, sinks are good too, just wrap something round the taps so DC doesnt burn or hit themselves on them. Much easier on your back too than bath on floor.

BabiesEverywhere · 31/12/2007 11:16

Sink will work fine for a tiny baby.

We also use a water sling in the shower (and swimming baths), which enables me to carry DD safely whilst washing her. We have a bath but DD hates them with a passion.

Water slings are made of solarweave or solarveil, drain water easily and dry quickly. Try www.thebabywearer.com for more details/reviews etc

Hulababy · 31/12/2007 11:17

Baby bath will work fine so long as you can fill it up and emptyit easy enough.

I know in the past it was very common to bath babies in the sink, esp bigger kitchen sinks. Probably easier than dealing with a bath bath TBH too.

And you can take baby in the shower with you - just hold them in your arms as you shower him/her. DD loved the shower as a baby, still does now she is a bit older.

Hekate · 31/12/2007 11:17

Sink. baby bath. Sponge and a bowl of water.

Get in the shower holding the baby. Hosepipe.

Congratulations, btw!

Klaw · 31/12/2007 11:21

I used a bucket bath

JamesAndTheGiantBanana · 31/12/2007 11:22

Tummytub! they use less water, there's less floor soaking than regular baby baths (less, not none) babies love them, they're reccomended from birth and double up as a handy bucket for soaking feet when heavily pregnant, or even (you'll think I'm mad) sitting on to bring baby down a bit and take pressure off achy bits, as they're very very sturdy.

And it will fit/store easily in your shower.

kiskidee · 31/12/2007 11:29

there is also the tummytub which are fab. yes they look like a plastic bucket but it is not. i only bought one because the video of it was playing in the shop when i visited otherwise I would have thought 'another gimmick to separate parents from their money'. it was one of the most rewarding pieces of baby equipment I bought and is currently out on its second loan to friends.

if funds are seriously lacking, I also agree with the kitchen sink and solarweave sling.

kiskidee · 31/12/2007 11:30

snap

Bewilderbeast · 31/12/2007 11:31

We used a tummy tub, if you fill it from the shower it's really easy to control the temperature. When baby is too big for the tummy tub just take him/her into the shower with you, ds loved showers from about 6 months old.

Pannacotta · 31/12/2007 11:31

You could use one of these (which you can use later on for toy storage or in the garden)
www.tubtrugs.com/?gclid=CKz_gPq10pACFQrolAodFV1DOw

JamesAndTheGiantBanana · 31/12/2007 12:58

I don't now about using a tubtrug as a baby bath, they look fantastically useful for everything else, but they don't offer any support like a tummy tub would, and babies soon learn how to thrust themselves backwards/lurch forwards. Mine loves to stand up in the tummytub, couldn't do that in a tubtrug.

Incidentally, when baby was tiny we bathed him in a large plastic mixing bowl on the kitchen table as I found it easier when he was so floppy and titchy. Also bathed him in the sink and once in a plastic box when we visited friends.

purplemonkeydishwasher · 31/12/2007 13:08

ikea sell baby baths for something like £4.

dooley1 · 31/12/2007 13:11

I used a baby bath with both of mine. Ds was still in it at 2.6! he loved it.

thebluefoxategreensocks · 31/12/2007 23:46

or you could just wash out the kitchen skin and use it as a bath! I've known plenty of mothers in USA use the kitchen sink.

Original poster

mitfordsisters · 01/01/2008 12:30

Thanks for all the brilliant ideas - shitemum, glad to hear I only have to bath 'em once a week - dh already thinks I'm a soap dodger - I was sort of planning to continue the marvellous tradition into to next generation!

Didn't know about tummytubs nor waterproof slings either - thanks everyonex

OP posts:

Shitemum · 01/01/2008 13:30

Mitford - i didnt even use soap on my babies, just a bit of very mild shampoo on their hair once in a while. They both have very dry sensitive skins and mild exzema. So long as you keep their hands, faces and bums clean they do't need much washing till they strt eating solids.
HOWEVER don't forget the neck folds and behind the ears every day or when it finally occurs to you to look there it will not be a pretty sight!

Shitemum · 01/01/2008 13:31

...and you need to be careful with the umbilical area till it's properly healed...

thebluefoxategreensocks · 01/01/2008 21:20

I've always given my babies/toddlers a bath twice a week and means they have lovely skin & hair - nothing too dried out from lots of soap & water every day. The odd time that one of them has had a skin condition (rash, chickenpox etc) which required more frequent baths, their skin was getting really dried out after a week of daily baths. Besides, I don't think I'd have the energy to bathe the two of them every night! lol I think the HV etc often say you don't need to do them every day too. But seems a lot of mums do baths every night. Not me anyway!

JamesAndTheGiantBanana · 01/01/2008 23:42

Shitemum, I forgot to wash my baby's ears and armpits for three weeks after he was born (they should come with a manual) and found vernix in both, how bad is that???

nooonit · 02/01/2008 15:29

When dd was tiny we bought a new washing up bowl and used that! Used to bath her with dp help on peninsula worktop in kitchen, much easier height whilst little (and lacking confidence!) Have also used sink on holiday etc. Interesting to read about Tummytubs - only saw them when dd was too big. Am now 39 wks - sound a good idea. Laughing at mentions of neck folds - remember hv weighing dd and being horrified by grime on her neck (dd not hv!)dd has had eczema from being quite little - one of the only things that helps her skin is bathing less frequency. I'm sure there are people who swear by nightly baths, but our soap dodger at 3 yrs really doesn't need them!

mustremembermyself · 02/01/2008 15:31

kitchen sink - and we have bath/baby bath. saves your back no end and also encourages you to clean the bloody kitchen properley!

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