Well, we've been using an "infant/toddler" tub since about a month old...our daughter is now a VERY active 8 months old. She is tall, but still fits nicely in the tub...it's roomy...but she splashes the whole living room, pulls up on the sides to stand up and then starts jumping, etc...(which she's been doing since 5 months) and my arms are killing me from holding her up while trying to wash her, trying to sit her back down, etc.
So last night I tried the big tub with a folded towel under her...worked for about a minute, until she realized she can also pull up and jump around in that tub. She's very happy about this...I am not. I had her hair full of shampoo and had to yell for my husband to come rinse while I held her...
...our bathroom is very small, and not ideal for two adults to be tubside.
I have looked at Target, ShopKo, and WalMart (that's it for dep. stores in our town) and no one carries tub seats anymore!!! Not that that would help, I think she's outgrown them...
any suggestions?
Someone suggested "get in with her..." that is so funny...that's what my husband suggested. When I think about me, with no clothes and wet and trying to get us out safely, I just crack up laughing!! I could've done it with my first, very mellow child...but this baby seems so bent on constant movement that I seriously try to imagine it an I just laugh!!! Thanks for that, though...this is one of those days where I need a good laugh.
Also, thanks to those who suggested the kitchen sink. I guess I never really thought about it, but it seems perfect...for her and for my back!
Thanks to everyone!
Use the kitchen sink and let the faucet run a tiny bit to engage her......or only fill the bathtub with about an inch of water:)
If she still likes the little tub... i used to put it in the big tub. Then they could splash away and were still safe :)
The kitchen sink. Easy on your back, usually easy to clean up around. We used it as long as DS fit - it was much harder when we had to go to the regular tub.
What about the kitchen sink? I'm a huge fan... there's not enough room for kiddo to be laying down, and you have a better center of strength and gravity to deal with her attempts at standing. Put a folded towel under her and at least one or two on the floor/nearby counters, and let her have fun.
FYI-those tub seats are problematic. Getting the kids in is easy--out is harder, and for busy kids, they can still tip over, even with the suction cups. Your sink will also allow room for a helper too, and will be more comfortable for the adults. Just give it a good wash-down with dish detergent beforehand as well as a thorough rinse, and clear off the items near the sink. Have your towels at arms-reach too. I think this will help bathtime be more pleasant for everyone.
Have you seen the blowup duck for baths? I found mine at either TRU or Target. It blows up and fits in your tub. dd loved it cause she could sit comfortably in it and I loved it cause it's a blow up w/ soft sides and not the hard tub.
I have had my (now 8 month) DD in the regular tub since she started trying to roll out of the infant tub at about 5 months old. I did the towel at first, but it didn't really make much of a difference. At first it was hard, but eventually she got that she is NOT allowed to stand in the bathtub. We do have the kind of tub that has a no-slip floor. If you don't, you could look into a tub mat. She likes to crawl around in it, and once in a while she still tries to stand, but usually a sharp 'no' will have her sitting back down. You might try getting her a bath seat though... I know Babies R Us sells the kind that hooks over the side of the tub with an arm pad for you... if you have a screwy tub you might need the suction-cup type... This link has a few different ones... http://www.diapers.com/product/subcategory.aspx?categoryi...
Make sure you click the first part of the link... or else it just takes you to mamapedia's 'diaper' link. lol.
OH! you might try one of those duck tubs they sell at Wal-mart (there are some on this link too...) But it's an inflatable duck that you could just put in your tub... that way if she does fall it's on the soft duck instead of the hard tub. :)
... My dad just uses a big tote for my little brother... lol.
Using the sink was never an option for us. I have a BIG girl, and SMALL sinks. I could fold her in if I really tried, but she would just play with the knobs, pull on the faucet, and cause a lot more mayhem than it was worth... BUT I agree with other posters that sometimes that is easier... If you are in the same spot with sink size, a tote on the counter might work for you. (We didn't have counter space either though...) I tried getting in with her too... but then she pooped, and that put an end to that. (I don't mind baby poop, part of being a mom, but I don't want to sit in it. lol)
I found it easier to bathe with my son. I still do. We use a bathtub mat that suctions to the floor of the tub - it keeps him from taking any serious spills. I found a really cute one with froggies on it at The Family Dollar.
We used to put our infant tub INTO the big bath tub to keep her contained, but be less messy. This worked for a long time. STill active, but less water, less slipping.
could you get in the bath with her?
We also had the inflatable duck tub and I would just put it in our tub and then let him splash to his hearts content. The nice soft sides helped protect him if he slipped.
I don't think any suggested showering w/ the baby? I learned it from a friend who had twins who said it was so quick and easy. It is easy and fast and a lot of babies love it. You can google baby in the shower and there are lots of suggestions on how to do it safely. I've done it w/ my 2 babies since they were a couple of months old. W/ the first I would have my husband hand the baby to me and then hand her back when I was done. That way you can get your shower finished and your husband can get the baby dressed too!
I would sit on the side of tub with my feet in the tub and have my son in the middle of my feet. Sometimes when washing his hair I would get in the tub wearing shorts and a tee
I found my tub seat online at Amazon I believe. Also walmart has some online. These are a must when babies get older. They are still out there!
I used a bath tub ring for both of my kids. Here is a link if you don't know what they are.
http://www.amazon.com/Infant-Bath-Swivel-Seat-Ring/dp/B00...
That worked for mine until they were big enough for the tub alone. Good luck!
just a small tub that fits in the tub. Not the toddler /infant reclining type. Just a plane old tub that they sit in.
http://www.meijer.com/s/summer-infant-newborn-to-toddler-...
sometimes you have to buy the whole set of recliner inserts and bubble jet attachment. But just use the tub part.
The baby seats didn't work well for us as once our youngest was able to stand up he would grab the side of the tub & pull himself out of the seat.
God bless!
I haven't read the other posts, but I can tell you what worked for us - the kitchen sink! We had a small, very outdated bathroom in our old house by the bedrooms that we actually never used - and the one that we did use only had a shower. So, I put him in the sink. Good luck!
I always use the little foam mat IN the big tub....just lie her down til the hair is washed & then I guess she can sit up & splash.....just become a Zen Master of the FAST hair wash/rinse!
Try moving the infant tub into the shower. That is what I did with our active baby until she was calm enough for the big tub alone. I would fill the infant tub with water in the shower and then leave on the shower. Easier if you have a detachable showerhead I suppose!
She's old enough for the big tub but it's a back breaker for you for awhile till she gets more stable and calm. I'd put mine in, wash them super fast and then let them play and learn what that can do and are capable of in the tub balance wise. It's a learning experience. After slipping a few times they learn its best to stay seated and play..... but you'll be there on your knees the entire time. Kitchen sink is okay but I bet you have to mop the floor afterwards :)
Can you fit a laundry basket in your tub? I used one with my girls when they were this age and it worked great. I just put a folded bath towel on the bottom of the basket so they wouldn't slip and fall. I used this for my twin daughters and for my last daughter, who sounds a lot like yours. I hope this helps you.
Thats so funny because I didn't even know what a tub seat was until my SO's aunt gave us one. We used it for about a month and gave it to a friend. I hated it, but they love it and have used it for months and months. You can find them on Safety 1st's website I beieve.
The kitchen sink is perfect for this age, my daughter loved it. She especiay loved it when I gave her a few pastic spoons to pay with. I would aso suggest, when your ready to try it again, getting a rubber bath mat for the bottom of your tub. It eased my mind a little having that resistence to help prevent falls.
Good Luck!
