Bathing older babies/toddlers

[lobstertail]

I'm a FTM to begin with, so I would've had this question, twins or no twins. How do you safely bathe children in the tub? Are there any contraptions or safety devices that you use?

I still bathe the boys one at a time in their infant bath tub. They stay seated and splash around, but I know they'll be grown out of that cramped little tub soon. I'm just scared of the opportunity for a new walker to slip and fall while taking a bath. I mean, I wouldn't let a baby walk around in the tub, but if one were to jump up...

[demandypants]

I started using the regular tub with DD when she was able to sit up on her own. As she learned new skills I just would remind her to sit down in the tub while we were doing a bath. I was always there, and could grab her arm if she attempted to stand up to steady her and help her back onto her bum. I never got any of the bath seats or other contraptions out there. It worked fine. She is 7 now and I will still yell at her to sit down if I catch her standing in the bath (though I trust her to take a shower... lol)

[origami]

I used bath seats for a long time (like a year) because it helped keep them seated. But if you're right there it'll be fine without seats. You just make them sit back down. When my kids were old enough to understand I would tell them bath time was over once they stopped listening/obeying. (I actually still have to say that but the issue is fighting/splashing/toy stealing now)

[trafficgirl]

You just have to watch them when they're in the big tub. Our kiddos love being in the bath together, and now that they're standing (one more than the other), we just have to constantly put him back in a seated position. If he doesn't stay seated, bath time for him is over. He doesn't really get consequences yet, but at least we're being consistent for when he does start understanding those.

[Narwhal]

We use bath seats. One of my boys tries to stand up, but he can't because of the seat, and obviously, a parent is right by them at all times. I'll use them until they get too strong or grown out of them. They love to take baths together! The hardest we've ever seen them laugh was in the bath kicking each others feet.

[lobstertail]

narwhal, that is so cute!

Thanks, guys! I'm off to google bath seats.

[twotrue]

My boys just sit in the tub together, no special seats. I sit, often with my feet on the tub, there the whole time and make them sit if they try to stand up.

Sent from my SM-G900V using proboards

[nomad]

First we put a laundry basket down but that didn't last long and they are just in the tub together with a non slip may in there. When they first started being able to pull themselves up we had to repeatedly put them back down but down they are pretty good at staying seated in the tub.

[floridakat]

We went the other way. When they were old enough to sit on their own, but not super stable yet, we bathed them one at a time (when we were both there). H would bathe one while I got the other one ready, then we'd hand off. We'd also use the excersaucer for the one not in the tub if we needed to. Eventually I took over all bath duties (probably at about 15 months or so?) and I've done them together ever since.

[cayl]

We got a bath mat that was more rubbery when they were little, and we got something to cover the spout. Granted a tub is more slippery, but I look at at tub just like anything else - they're going to fall and find a way to hurt themselves. I was nervous when we moved away from the tubs we used to use for them, but the best thing that I did was to give them plenty of (closely supervised) time to play and enjoy the tub. They fell a bit more at first but quickly learned how to move properly. Early on we also gave them a lot of toys that they could use while sitting, like crayons for the tub. Now they love bath time.

[hocus2]

You can use a plastic bath mat or glue down non-slip ducks/fish. I always had a sitting rule and bath time was over if you  tried to stand (my daughter was a rule follower and my son loves baths so generally complied).

FWIW my son has slipped under the water a few times almost always from a sitting position. He's never been hurt and usually thinks it is fun but I also don't leave him alone because things can change so quickly with an impulsive child. My daughter is 5 and I'd let her wash alone at this point but she wants company.

[marissa]

We also did a bath mat and put one of the boys in a seat since he didn't sit up well until 10 months old. They bathed together for a few years until I felt they should have privacy.

I had everything ready before they went in though. The bathroom had towels, washcloths, soaps, shampoos, pj's, diapers, lotions, etc.