Once you bring home a new baby, you need to adjust how you do even the most essential things, like showering. You may be wondering, how do you shower with a baby?
When caring for a newborn baby, spending time in the shower can be a hassle. You worry about getting your little one ready and keeping them safe while they’re in the bathtub, but you also have to take care of yourself at the same time. However, with a few simple tips and tricks, enjoying family showers with a baby in tow is possible.
One important thing to consider when bathing your baby is choosing the right shower head. Traditional shower heads tend to be too full of pressure for young babies, leading to discomfort and even injury. Instead, look for a low-flow showerhead that provides more gentle streams of water. This will help ensure that your baby stays safe and comfortable during bath time.
Another critical element of family showers with babies is the shower stall itself. Ideally, it would help to choose a spacious stall that allows plenty of room for both you and your little one to move around freely. This will prevent any accidents or injuries from occurring.
Family showers can be an enjoyable experience with some careful planning for everyone involved. So next time you step into the shower with the baby, follow these helpful tips and enjoy the experience.
Showering with your baby
Below are some great ideas on how to shower when you have a baby. In this post, I will be going over how to safely shower with your baby and the steps needed to create a safe environment for you and the baby to co-shower.
- Switch off with your spouse.
- Have someone watch the baby while you shower.
- Put the baby in a safe space while you shower.
- Shower WITH your baby.
How to shower with a baby
So once you have a baby, there are a few different ways to keep up your hygiene. In the very beginning, you and your spouse may switch off, so you both get some shower time.
It seems daunting as a new parent to be just you and the baby because you all are going through a huge learning curve, but it will be fine. But, what do you do if your spouse isn’t home or has to go back to work?
Can I leave my newborn while I shower?
Many new parents wonder if it is safe to leave their baby alone while they shower. The answer depends on a few factors, including your baby’s age and where you are going to leave them while you shower. It is always best to take them with you for the baby’s safety or have someone else watch them.
However, some older babies may be able to stay in their crib or playpen while you shower, as long as you are within earshot in case they need you. If you choose to leave your baby alone, make sure to take a quick shower. With a bit of planning, you can safely enjoy a moment to yourself while keeping your baby close by.
Things you want to do when leaving a newborn while you shower:
- Make sure they are in a safe place.
- Remove any loose receiving blankets or pillows around them.
- Make sure they are contained and can’t roll off anywhere.
- Buckle the baby in, if applicable.
- Have a distraction like a mobile.
- Keep your shower short.
I was terrified the first time I left my newborn unattended while I showered. I had them in the bathroom with me and buckled into a bouncer seat so that I could see them the entire time.
Eventually, I was comfortable enough to lay them in their pack n’ play with an overhead mobile. Your baby will be fine for just a few minutes while you take care of yourself. It is important to remember to take care of yourself after having a baby.
Is it okay to shower with your child?
Yes, you can shower with your child. New moms find co showering with their baby is a great way to get a shower. It is also a great bonding experience for you and your baby. Ensure you have all the right baby-safe products available before attempting to co-shower with the baby.
You may want to have someone available the first few times you do it, so you have someone to hand the baby off to. Once you get the hang of it, co-showering with your baby can be a fun experience.
It takes a little getting used to showering with a baby. Having your spouse hand you the baby once you are in the shower and taking the baby once you are done washing them is a good idea until you are used to holding them in the shower.
When can I shower with baby?
So, when can you start showering a newborn baby? When your baby’s umbilical cord stump is drying out, it should not be submerged in water. It can take one to three weeks for the stump to naturally fall off.
When the stump is still attached, the area needs to be kept dry. Sponge baths are best for a baby until it falls off. After their umbilical cord falls off, they can take a shower with you.
How to safely bathe and shower with your baby
Once your baby’s umbilical cord falls off, you can safely shower with your baby. If they are newborns, you may be wondering how to shower with a 2-month-old baby. The best way to shower with a tiny baby is to use a shower sling for the baby until they have better head control.
This lightweight shower sling for the baby is super affordable and valuable to shower with the baby safely. This sling is made up of material similar to bathing suits, so it dries very quickly. You can also use it at the beach or in the pool.
If you don’t want to wear your baby while bathing baby in the shower, you can use a baby shower chair instead. You can place the baby shower chair on the shower floor for the baby to sit in while you wash yourself and then them.
These baby shower chairs are great if you have a large shower floor. Always make sure the spray is not directly hitting the baby’s face. You want to work quickly when they are sitting in the shower chair so that they don’t get too cold.
Wet babies can get cold very quickly, especially newborns, because they have not mastered controlling their body temperature. Don’t forget to have a warm towel waiting for them once you are done with bath time.
When showering with my baby, I would keep them covered with a large washcloth in their shower chair until I was done washing myself. Then I would wash them while they were still in their chair and pick them up to rinse off. Baby’s skin is very delicate skin, so make sure you are using a mild body wash for them.
Co-Bathing with a Newborn
Instead of showering with your baby, you can also take a bath with them. Taking a bath with a newborn is an easy way to bathe together. You can use these baby shower chairs for them to sit in during a bath. These bathing seats make it easy to take a nice relaxing bath with your baby.
Talk to a medical professional first to ensure you aren’t taking a bath too soon after giving birth. Being submerged in water too soon can cause infection if you haven’t fully healed yet.
Make sure to secure your baby in their baby bath seat while you get in and out of the tub. Place a shower mat in the bottom of the tub for grip. This will prevent you from slipping and falling while holding your baby and trying to get out.
Benefits of Bathing with Baby
There are so many great benefits to bathing with your baby. Skin-to-skin bonding promotes a good connection between you and the baby.
If you are having any trouble breastfeeding, the lukewarm water helps stimulate your let-down response giving you an excellent chance to nurse your baby. Try nursing your baby in a warm bath.
If you ever experience a diaper blowout, being able to jump in the shower with your baby is a lifesaver. A quick shower may be necessary for both of you.
Co-bathing with your baby can save time. There are times when you feel like you don’t have enough time with a newborn. Some parents skip showers for days because they can’t find a spare moment. If you bathe with your baby, you save time and get your much-needed shower.
Warm water and skin-to-skin contact help a fussy and gassy baby. A fussy baby can calm down when they are in your arms with a gentle warm spray on their back. This relaxing time can even promote better sleep for the baby when included in their nighttime routine before bed.
The Best Way to Co Shower with a Newborn
Taking a baby in the shower with you for the first time can be pretty scary. So what is the best way to do this? You want to make sure you are set up for success BEFORE you start.
- Have baby’s clothes and diaper set out and ready
- Have a towel for baby and a towel for you ready
- Get washcloths ready in the shower
- Place all soaps and shampoo products in the shower so they easily accessible and open
- Adjust the shower head so that it is not spraying directly on you or the baby’s face
- Adjust to lukewarm water
- Double-check the water temperature before you bring the baby in the shower.
Having everything for the baby organized before starting can calm some of the common fears about showering with a newborn. You may be afraid of dropping the baby, but if you have everything ready to go, you won’t be fumbling around and can adequately hold your baby.
How to Hold Your Baby in the Shower
Knowing how to hold your baby in the shower can also help with common fears. How tiny your baby is will determine how you hold them in the shower.
- The football hold. Cradle their head in one of your hands and have their body along your forearm up against your body with their legs and bottom against your elbow. Be sure to move slowly and be cautious of them kicking against you. This is a good hold if they can’t yet support their head.
- One arm holds chest to chest. Hold them up against your chest with your arm going through their legs. One hand then reaches up to hold their shoulder. Having your arm go through their legs gives the most support for a slippery baby. You can wash them and you with your free hand.
- One arm holds facing out. Their back is up against your chest. Your arm is going through their legs and across their chest to hold their shoulder. Your other arm is free to wash the both of you.
- Sitting in a shower chair with your baby on your lap. This is a great way to shower with a baby if you are afraid of dropping your baby. This option also makes it easier to breastfeed while in the shower.
Tips for Bathing Baby in Shower
- Set out everything you will need before, during, and after the shower for you and your baby BEFORE you begin.
- Have a bouncer or baby shower chair nearby to put baby while you get in and out of the shower.
- When you are ready to get out wrap baby in a towel first and put them in the baby chair then wrap a towel around yourself and then finish drying your baby.
- Use gentle soap like this one, even on yourself, just in case it gets in your baby’s eyes.
- Double-check the temperature of the water before bringing the baby into the shower.
- Wash baby one limb at a time so they don’t become slippery on their whole body.
- Have your spouse nearby the first few times you shower with your baby in case you need any help.
- Get a good anti-slip shower mat for the floor of the shower.
- Use a shower chair if you don’t feel comfortable standing and holding your baby in the shower.
- Get a baby shower chair to put on the floor of the shower so you have somewhere to put your baby while you wash yourself.
- Baby only needs to have a bath or a shower 2-3 times a week. You do not need to bathe them every day.
Another option for bathing your baby is to get a small baby bath you can use on the counter, in the tub, or on the bathroom floor to give your baby a sponge bath. Please don’t attempt to shower with your newborn unless you have a plan and some support the first time you do it. Even then, don’t do anything you are not comfortable with.
Warm baths or showers are great for calming a fussy baby. Is your baby fussy, especially at night? It may be due to uncomfortable gas that became trapped throughout the day. Get your baby relief with these baby gas relieving tips.
Conclusion
Showering with a baby can be a challenging experience, but it can be enjoyable for both baby and parent with a few tips. First, it is essential to get everything you need before getting in the shower, including a baby bath or seat and any toys or washcloths the baby might need.
Next, ensure the baby is secure and has suitable head control before starting the shower. Finally, consider taking your own shower first to focus on washing your baby while in the shower with your baby. By following these tips, you can make showering with a baby a safe and enjoyable experience.
