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Bathing 1 year old -practical tips

21 replies

Hairsayitdontsprayit · 05/07/2023 23:17

This might be a bit trivial to some but I’m really trying to come up with a better routine as I feel like DS would benefit from a more structured approach. Sorry for the long post but thought it best not to drip feed! DS will be one year old next week and has really started enjoying baths after hating them in his earlier months. Up to now I’ve been bathing him once or twice per week but I want to start doing it every evening as part of a bedtime routine as it really helps him settle for the night and it puts him in a great mood even if he’s having a bad day.

I can’t work out what way I can easily do a bath every day without it being a massive two man job with my husband and me both involved (I’m secretly hoping we find a way to make it a one man job and DH can do it). Currently we take it in turns to bathe with the baby, one of us in the bath holding him and the other one lifts him in and out and gets him dressed etc.

Ideally, baby would be able to sit in the bath sort of independently while one of us wash him and make sure he stays upright, but he sometimes gets so excited playing and splashing around that I have to focus on holding him safely rather than actually washing him. What do other parents that have a daily baby bath do? Do you use a bath mat or special chair? Or do you just do your best and let them splash themselves clean? Or maybe you take baths with them each night? 🤔

We did have a baby bath but DS has outgrown it (he’s a tall boy) and we don’t have a lot of space to store another larger thing. It’s not a deal breaker though. If a toddler bath is a real game changer I will find space for it, just don’t want to end up buying lots of unnecessary stuff!

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plugin12 · 05/07/2023 23:28

We had the angelcare bath seat but I'm pretty sure the max age is about 10 months and mine stopped using it around 9 months or earlier anyway, I would just put them in the bath on a non slip mat not run it too deep and that's it , wash them ,have towel to hand ,take them out.

user6482959 · 05/07/2023 23:32

Bath seat and let them splash.

Speaking as a single mum, there's really no need for bath time to involve 2 parents.

xxalhxx · 05/07/2023 23:38

amzn.eu/d/b4D1ArB

I personally use this bath seat for my baby boy who has recently just turned 1 who has a bath every night after his tea so he's nice and clean and can settle down for the night this is usually around 7/7:30 every night it used to be a two man job for me and my partner but having this is so efficient he can splash and play sat up while you wash his hair or brush his teeth it's simple to get them in and out of aswell and is totally safe I've not had any problems with the product atall I've started sitting my baby in just the bath alone in some very shallow water now though hope this helps xoxo

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Hairsayitdontsprayit · 05/07/2023 23:46

plugin12 · 05/07/2023 23:28

We had the angelcare bath seat but I'm pretty sure the max age is about 10 months and mine stopped using it around 9 months or earlier anyway, I would just put them in the bath on a non slip mat not run it too deep and that's it , wash them ,have towel to hand ,take them out.

Thanks, yeah all the baby bathing equipment tends to be for younger babies. Might just have to get a non slip mat.

OP posts:
Hairsayitdontsprayit · 05/07/2023 23:47

user6482959 · 05/07/2023 23:32

Bath seat and let them splash.

Speaking as a single mum, there's really no need for bath time to involve 2 parents.

Bath seat could make us go from 2 person job to just one! Thanks x

OP posts:
Hairsayitdontsprayit · 05/07/2023 23:51

xxalhxx · 05/07/2023 23:38

amzn.eu/d/b4D1ArB

I personally use this bath seat for my baby boy who has recently just turned 1 who has a bath every night after his tea so he's nice and clean and can settle down for the night this is usually around 7/7:30 every night it used to be a two man job for me and my partner but having this is so efficient he can splash and play sat up while you wash his hair or brush his teeth it's simple to get them in and out of aswell and is totally safe I've not had any problems with the product atall I've started sitting my baby in just the bath alone in some very shallow water now though hope this helps xoxo

I was looking at the exact same seat thinking it looks amazing but I think DS may be over the weight limit for it but I’m not sure. It’s been a while since he was weighed and we don’t own any scales! He’s bigger than most babies his age so I’m just guessing 🤷🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
Maryandherlamb · 05/07/2023 23:54

Get a toddler size shnuggle bath and keep it in the big bath. They're sat upright in it so won't need you to support them. Definitely a one man job! We bath every day before bed as their routine and I manage to do two kids by myself with them in a shnuggle each. I wouldn't manage if they were just in the bath because they slip everywhere.

xxalhxx · 05/07/2023 23:59

@Hairsayitdontsprayit
Eeeek🫣I didn't even think about the weight limit my babas a chubby bubby aswell the sest and held out good I'll give it that if he's over the limit but I won't being using it now just incase🤣

Hairsayitdontsprayit · 06/07/2023 00:02

Maryandherlamb · 05/07/2023 23:54

Get a toddler size shnuggle bath and keep it in the big bath. They're sat upright in it so won't need you to support them. Definitely a one man job! We bath every day before bed as their routine and I manage to do two kids by myself with them in a shnuggle each. I wouldn't manage if they were just in the bath because they slip everywhere.

Oooh I’ve seen the shnuggle toddler baths but was reluctant to get one due to the size/storage issue, but if it really is worth it then maybe I should take the plunge 🤣

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BananaPalm · 06/07/2023 00:08

We have a foldable baby/toddler bathtub that we put inside our regular bathtub. It folds flat for storage and I don't need to worry about my 18mo hitting his head on the regular bathtub if he slips. Definitely a one man/woman job!

Hairsayitdontsprayit · 06/07/2023 00:16

BananaPalm · 06/07/2023 00:08

We have a foldable baby/toddler bathtub that we put inside our regular bathtub. It folds flat for storage and I don't need to worry about my 18mo hitting his head on the regular bathtub if he slips. Definitely a one man/woman job!

We have one of these for when he was younger but it doesn’t seem much fun for him now he’s bigger. I guess it solves the problem of worrying about him slipping but it adds the problem that it’s not big enough for actually washing him or for him to play 🤔

OP posts:
Scirocco · 06/07/2023 01:32

We have a foldable bath that just sits inside our actual bath - I really like it, it's a Stokke one and really practical. Loads of space for DC, bath books, toys and actual washing to take place.

Sometimes DC loves bathtime and sometimes it's the worst thing ever. But even at its worst it's still able to be a one-parent job.

mathanxiety · 06/07/2023 01:41

A baby getting a bath every day isn't going to need a lot of actual washing.

Let him splash around.

Use a rubber bath liner to keep him from slipping.

It shouldn't take two of you to wash a one year old.

Merrow · 06/07/2023 01:47

Non slip bath mat and shallow water. Whoever was bathing him usually got in the bath with him though, which makes hair washing a lot easier!

WhatFlavourIsIt · 06/07/2023 02:44

Put a plastic laundry basket in the bath & Sit him in it. Just let him splash around. If he's having a bath everyday then I wouldn't be to focused on the actual washing.

BananaPalm · 06/07/2023 11:16

We've got this foldable bathtub and it's still big enough for our 19-month old to bathe and play...

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Hazelnuttella · 06/07/2023 11:19

Old fashioned baby bath.
This kind of thing

My DS is 2 and still fits in it. Just sits up and plays with toys. I’ve honestly never got in the bath with him.

Parker231 · 29/10/2023 07:56

Bathing a one year old isn’t a two person job. We rarely used the bath for DT’s but took them in the shower with us until they could stand properly on their own. Much quicker than a bath.

JustMaggie · 29/10/2023 08:43

We had a bath mat and we didn't fill the tub very high at all. Bath time was more about splashing and playing. I tried to hit all the bases while cleaning my kids, and I was mostly successful but didn't sweat it because they'd be getting in the bath again the next night.

CurlewKate · 29/10/2023 08:49

Bath seat or get in the bath with him. Bubbles in the water and splashing around is enough to get him clean in most circumstances.

Incidentally, my mother used to say that she routinely bathed us in the morning. But that was a long time ago and she wasn't British, don't know if that makes a difference.

Caspianberg · 29/10/2023 08:58

Just added those non slip bath sticker things ( don’t need to remove like a giant bath mat) - about £6 from amazon.
Shallow water. He’s been in main bath from about 6 months after he outgrow the sink. No space for baby bath etc.

i wouldn’t waste any more money tbh, Ds is now 3 and has a really deep bath and loves it

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