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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Baby bath recommendations - or bath in the sink?

33 replies

PuffsMummie · 12/08/2019 09:23

I was planning to buy the Angelcare Baby Bath, as I like that you put it in the bath and fill up the bath water around it, even though that seems like a bit of a waste/time consuming. I imagine eventually I can bathe with baby which seems lovely.

When I discussed this at my antenatal class, the leader said to save my back and instead use the kitchen sink. But when I mentioned this to my MIL she was horrified!! She thought it was really unhygienic. I told her my sink is thoroughly cleaned regularly (every couple of days) and as we have a dishwasher, we dont really use the sink for washing up (except for some items that cant go in the dishwasher). She then started going on that the sink would be too clean because I use bleach and other chemicals to clean it. I said but I also bleach my bath when cleaning it (approx once a week) and she was horrified at that and told me off, saying that would be terrible for our skin (as if I dont rinse it all away before using ?!)

I'm left with so many questions....
Is it bad to bleach your bath?
Is it gross to wash your baby in the kitchen sink?
Should I get a baby bath still?
Was she just being typically critical MIL?

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Seeline · 12/08/2019 09:36

I used the sink a couple of times, but as it was stainless steel the metal was either very cold or really quite hot on baby's skin. They also wouldn't fit in for long.

I had a very cheap baby bath, but importantly had a stand to go with it. I suffer with a bad back and this was ideal as I didn't have to bend. It used very little water compared to a proper bath ( and baby baths really don't take very long - a proper bath of cool water seemed an awful waste).

It lasted until they were able to sit in a bath support in the big bath. I wouldn't have been without it.

As far as bleaching a sink - yes I do, but rinse it afterwards and would be fine for baby. I don't bleach the bath.

notso · 12/08/2019 09:41

1.I don't really know why you would bleach your bath. The drain of it maybe but the actual bath, why?

It's fine to wash your baby in a clean sink IMO. Although I didn't have a sink big enough.

It's up to you but I liked using a baby bath. I used it on the worktop in the kitchen so it was easy to fill and empty and the kitchen was lovely and warm. I put the changing mat and towels on the table so no bending was required. I really struggled leaning over the regular bath with them.

Hard to say. She can't really have it both ways though, a (presumably) bleached sink is too dirty and a bleached bath is too clean! She isn't going to be bathing the baby so obviously do what suits you best.

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 12/08/2019 09:41

We had a baby bath. It folded down for storage and had very little water in it because of its size. When DD was older, we got a bath seat so she could sit up and reach her bath toys. We always saw bath time as a treat so sat next to her and played with her in the proper bath. Didn’t feel like such a waste of water that way.

Lucafritz · 12/08/2019 09:42

Get a cheap plastic bath but fill it at the kitchen sink and use it on the worktop or dining table or just bath baby with you if you don't mind an accidental pee or poo happening they only get bathed once a week as newborns any way as it's bad for their skin so a quick wipe down with a washcloth each day is fine for them at first

Cookit · 12/08/2019 09:42

We mostly just take a bath with the baby tbh.

I have a baby bath but I’m not sure I’d buy one with hindsight.

20viona · 12/08/2019 09:43

We used the bathroom
Sink and put a towel in it so it was softer and more comfortable for the baby- this was for 3 weeks and now we use the main bath with a little folding seat in.

itsabootyhole · 12/08/2019 09:43

The shnuggle Bath is brilliant.

moobar · 12/08/2019 09:46

I have an angel care, love it. Much easier bathing her alone. I can go in with her. She's nine months and has always had some head of hair. She still starts her bath on it for hair washing and then sits herself. She's never tried to get off it and I would stop using it when she does.

Has handles so lifting her out bath much easier as well. Would recommend it.

ADTB · 12/08/2019 09:53

I've never had a baby bath. I was given a foam baby bath support sponge (you can get them from B&M and Amazon). I fill up the bath with a few inches of water and then lie baby down on the sponge. It stops him from wriggling, doesn't allow his face to get in the water and means you have both hands free which is a lot easier on your back.

Hedgehogblues · 12/08/2019 09:54

I have a Neat Nursery co bath that goes across the top of the big bath and I sit on a low stool next to it to bath her. Saves my back and my legs

stayfit · 12/08/2019 09:55

This was ages ago but I had a section so found it v hard to use the big bath. So I got a cheap baby bath from Mothercare and put it on a table in kitchen and fill it with warm water and laid baby there. It was v easy to clean after and less waste of water. After some months I put the bath within the big bath. So baby bath can be really useful and saves water imho. You need to fill with v little water in the initial days.

Littleduckeggblue · 12/08/2019 09:59

I bleach my bath too - surely this is the norm?!?
I use a plastic baby bath, I put it on the kitchen table and fill it using a pan.

titnomatani · 12/08/2019 10:02

Highly recommend the shnuggle baby bath. 11 months on and we're still using it. Plus, it props the baby up so both arms/hands are free- unlike sink baths (which we did for a few weeks and I ended up with a bad back).

MrsGrannyWeatherwax · 12/08/2019 10:09

I used my kitchen sink (occasionally bathroom) but put a flannel in the bottom of it to make it slightly nicer for baby. Once she was slightly bigger/older I just let her kick around my actual bath.

I also bleach the bath occasionally - I do rinse well after with other products (pfb)

hormonesorDHbeingadick · 12/08/2019 10:14

Get a second hand shnuggle bath it will be about £10 and then you can sell it on. The angel bath seat is good but again get a second hand one.

Look on local Facebook selling page for parents.

Timeless19 · 12/08/2019 10:20

Agree use a baby bath that has a support for a newborn (we used ours for 8/9 months). I used ours across our sink (the base slotted in the sink and the overlap went on either side). It was so easy to use, the right height for me and easy to empty when finished as I pulled the plug and down into the sink it went.

Ours was the Tippitoes brand, picked it up from an NCT sale for a fiver

MyDcAreMarvel · 12/08/2019 10:21

I bleach my bath too - surely this is the norm?!?
It’s really not.

MyDcAreMarvel · 12/08/2019 10:23

@ADTB those foam bath supports go inside a baby bath. How did it stay still?

ADTB · 12/08/2019 10:24

@MyDcAreMarvel hey as soon as baby is on the sponge it keeps it still under the weight. You just have to hold it still whilst you put baby on to it and then you can bath them hands free.

Youmadorwhat · 12/08/2019 10:26

Baby baths imo are a huge waste of money. I just used a small basin and then the sink and then the actual bath. 🤷‍♀️

MyDcAreMarvel · 12/08/2019 10:29

Thanks @ADBT will try that.

LuckyKitty13 · 12/08/2019 10:30

I've bathed with baby from the very start.

cinderfeckinrella · 12/08/2019 12:20

Baby bath with DS1 (pfb) was back breaking though. Kitchen sink for DS2, was much better. I do like the look of those schnuggle baths tho, put on worktop to save backache.

DappledThings · 12/08/2019 13:44

PIL bought a baby bath for use at theirs. Hated it, you have to keep hold of the baby and they are so slippery. You only have one hand free to do anything else. Same with being in the sink, never understood how anyone does that!

Angelcare bath seat is great. Used it for both of mine everyday.

HJWT · 12/08/2019 13:50

Never understood people who put there baby in the sink!! What happens when they poo all up there back? You would put that in your sink 🤢

This type is brilliant for anyone not confident holding a newborn in the bath, makes it hands free x

Baby bath recommendations - or bath in the sink?

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