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Parenting

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Original poster

What do you do with your baby while you shower?

20 replies

pelafina · 14/02/2008 09:25

Message withdrawn

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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IamTooSexyForMyName · 14/02/2008 09:28

Sounds like what you are already doing is prob what all of us do! Tbh I try and get a shower in the morning before DP goes to work, otherwise I have a bath at night. If you take him into the shower, and he is kicking about then thats fine. If he cries then at least he can still see/hear you. I am sure that you are not in the shower that long anyway!!

crokky · 14/02/2008 09:28

I used to run the bath, then put DS laying under the cot mobile in the cot, start the mobile off playing music and have a 5 minute bath.

Other than that, when he was a bit bigger, I sometimes brought him into the bathroom strapped into his carseat, but I only had quick baths.

castille · 14/02/2008 09:31

When mine were tiny I used to do all of the things you have tried, but the usual was to put them in a bouncy chair in the bathroom with me, unless DH went into work late so I'd shower while he looked after the baby. Or if they slept late I could shower before they woke up.

I still do that now - usually manage to shower even if 18mo DS is awake as he's quite happy chatting to himself in his cot for 10 mins.

There aren't that many options! It's difficult to have a strict routine if they don't wake at the same time each day...

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missorinoco · 14/02/2008 09:31

i initially showered before he woke up, but as that started getting earlier, i dived (?dove) in as soon as he went to sleep. can now shower v fast!

or had a bath the night before, esp if i wanted to wash my hair. that was more relaxing.

hth

CantSleepWontSleep · 14/02/2008 09:31

I used to take dd's baby gym into the bathroom and pop her under that for a few minutes, or else her bouncy chair and something to look at.

Buda · 14/02/2008 09:35

I used to take DS into the bathroom with me in his car seat or bouncy chair while I showered. Played a lot of peekaboo with the shower curtain!

When he got older I used to put him in his cot with lots of toys. He would complain a bit but not cry and then throw each and every toy out onto the floor.

LadyJogsAlot · 14/02/2008 09:37

if you are very paranoid about sids, why don't you get a breathing monitor? gave me peace of mind, although beware, mine went off once and i almost crapped myself!

if you had a monitor you could put your ds in his cot for a bit where you know he is safe and put the monitor on.

the monitor also acts as a sound monitor which you could plug in near the bathroom so you can hear him if he cries.

Original poster

pelafina · 14/02/2008 09:38

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OP posts:

Mercy · 14/02/2008 09:38

I used to have a shower when they were asleep (or put them in the cot - which doesn't really help you!)

I would definitely not leave him on the bed any more though; both mine were rolling/moving long before 16 weeks.

TattyCatty · 14/02/2008 09:39

My DD hated being in the bathroom with me, no matter how many toys / distractions I provided for her. So I always either had my shower before she woke up, or waited until she went down for a sleep in the morning and showered then. I just made sure that I took the baby monitor into the bathroom with me, so I would hear her if she started crying and get out to go to her.

Although you co-sleep, can you put DS into his cot or pram for naps if you are getting concerned about him rolling?

BettySpaghetti · 14/02/2008 09:41

I did all the things here but also if they were asleep, and I wanted a longer shower (without that horrible fear you mention in the OP of turning the shower off and hearing frantic screaming), I would take the portable listening unit part of the baby monitor into the bathroom with me.

You would get enough warning of them stirring to finish off your shower before the screaming!

Original poster

pelafina · 14/02/2008 09:41

Message withdrawn

OP posts:

Ceolas · 14/02/2008 09:47

What about a side for your bed?

I think I have perfected the art of the 3 minute shower! It's functional but certainy not relaxing. And leg shaving certainly not an option!

Usually I get a shower before DH goes to work and then dry my hair properly later. DD likes the hairdryer noise anyway

Ceolas · 14/02/2008 09:47

What about a side for your bed?

I think I have perfected the art of the 3 minute shower! It's functional but certainy not relaxing. And leg shaving certainly not an option!

Usually I get a shower before DH goes to work and then dry my hair properly later. DD likes the hairdryer noise anyway

cmotdibbler · 14/02/2008 10:12

Why not take DS into the bath with you ? OK, you don't get to have a very hot one, but it can be long and luxurious, and with a little practice you can shave your legs, wash your hair an all.
I used to put DS on a changing mat on the floor next to the bath, get in, reach over and get him, then reverse the process to get out.
We still co-bath now at 20 months, and DS loves being in the deep water with me.

Emprexia · 15/02/2008 00:31

I'm lucky in that my bathroom is downstairs off the lounge, so i would either take him in there with me, or put him where i could see him by just peeking around the shower curtain.

His vibrating bouncer came SO in handy for those occasions.. yes sometimes he got bored, but it wasn't going to hurt him for 5 minutes while i quickly showered.

Now i just leave the door open (he's 17mo) but shut the baby gate and play peek-a-boo around the curtain with him but leave the TV on in the lounge.

tryingtoleave · 15/02/2008 02:26

At that age, ds had an electronic mobile that spun round and played music. He was quite happy lying in his cot for 10 minutes watching it as I showered.

StealthPolarBear · 15/02/2008 06:36

I hated having a shower, would usually put DS in his bouncy chair in the bathroom with me but he just screamed! When he started to crawl I just baby proofed the upstairs, triple checked the stair gate and put loads of toys around the bathroom doorway and he's fine! He spends most of his time just playing in the doorway. I can see him through the shower door, so the only bit of my shower that needs to be rushed is face wash! If I'm in a real hurry I just put him in his car seat. He grumbles about this, but doesn't scream any more.
If you do do that when your LO's a bit older make sure there's nothing in the bathroom bin and no bleach or whatever within reach.

Bekkie32 · 15/02/2008 13:04

During the week..either in the cot with mobile on, or in a bouncy chair, so she can watch me showering and getting ready.

During the weekends when husband is at home, she goes on her play mat downstairs with safe toys. While I shower husband starts getting up and having breakfast and plays with her.

When she gets to 7 or 8 months and crawling - then either in cot or playpen.

Bekkie32 · 15/02/2008 13:11

I also forgot to say sometimes my baby cries in the bouncy chair and finds it boring while I shower..but tough! It is the daily routine and she also has to learn that mummy needs to get ready. I just explain what I am doing as I go along. She really cried at first, at around 16 weeks...and whenever I turned the shower off she was having a good old grizzle. Now she has just turned six months and is much better..just sees it as a part of the routine.

I make sure she is dressed, changed, washed and fed first though Otherwise she would fuss from hunger etc..

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