Ahhh...bath time. For our household tub time always signaled the end of the day. If I could just make it until the bath water started running then we were in the homestretch, and I could usually endure the final sprint to the finish line. Bath time has its own pros and cons, but for some reason I never seemed to mind this activity as much as some of the other parental duties--probably because it was the next to the last activity of the day.
Getting everything organized and everyone bathed is still no small feat when you have two under two. And by the time everyone was out of the tub, and there were a few gallons of water to wipe off the floor, I was ready for lights to be out.
Here are a few helpful hints to make the routine easier for you and your Baby Bunch:
1. Bathe the kids together. Obviously when the baby is still super tiny this is probably not the best idea. Once your youngest is able to hold himself up a bit, move the baby bath tub into the big bath tub and put them both in at the same time. My youngest bathed in the baby bath (on the kitchen counter) until she was four months old. I would have actually given her a bath in the kitchen sink, but it was never clean by the time bath time rolled around. Why in the kitchen? Because it was next to the living room which had the TV. (Bad mommy!) Alex could watch a show while I dealt with her.
2. Have everything you need before you run the bath water. This is especially important if you're doing bath without help. Bring in kids’ pajamas, diapers, wipes, lotion, diaper cream, etc.
3. Designate a safe place to put everyone in the event someone has a meltdown. If you little one still isn’t sitting up, bring along a bouncy seat as well so you have some place for baby to crash if he freaks out before your toddler is ready to get out. Baby proof your bathroom well enough or let toddler roam the halls—don’t forget the close the gate—if baby is happily enjoying his bath.
4. Make bath time productive. Once your bunch can play safely together in the bath tub and entertain each other, make use of your time in the bathroom. It’s a perfect time to work on your dental hygiene by flossing your teeth. Use the time to wipe down the bathroom (keep some Clorox wipes under the sink) or scrub the toilet.
5. Be flexible. As kids get older some become afraid of the bath. Both my kids went through a bath terror phase right around age 2. Don’t push it. If bath isn’t working for a child, just skip it for a while. But eventually, as odors begin to emanating from one your bunch, you will have to get the soap out. Changing up the time of day (perhaps the end of the day is meltdown time) or bringing some music into the bathroom, will change the mood for everyone.
6. Enjoy the cleanliness. Nothing is sweeter than little chubby faces poking out from the towel....even if they're screaming because it's cold.
hee, I love bathtime. My older one loves to wash her brother, but careful supervision is required to make sure he doesn't drown under her ministrations.
Posted by: geekymummy | Oct 29, 2008 at 03:50 PM
Once they can stand up, never underestimate the power of a communal shower. Shower time for mom is usually scarce when you've got bunches, but if you don't mind the sharing, everyone can get clean and have fun at the same time. I still shower with my littlest ones sometimes, and I get out before they do and let them have at it with a couple of bath toys, and they love it.
Posted by: FishyGirl | Oct 29, 2008 at 04:09 PM
I KNOW that I commented on this last night! Damn - can't remember exactly what I wrote. But here something close. I'd add one more: have an evacuation plan. Do you know how many times one of my toddlers has pooped in the tub? You have to be ready to pull everyone out on a dime. And if kids like their bath as much as mine do? Be ready for a fight.
Posted by: Kate Coveny Hood | Oct 30, 2008 at 10:41 PM
Bedtime baths have never worked for my 18-month-old. He LOVES the bath and would spend hours there. He gets very excited and then usually fights against getting out. Not very conducive to falling asleep. I'm a SAHM, so I'm able to bath him after breakfast or lunch in place of one of his usual playtimes. I bring in a stool to sit on and read a book while he has a grand old time.
Posted by: Jenny P | Oct 31, 2008 at 11:10 AM
New baby buncher here with a boy and a girl, 14 months apart. Love this blog! How many months was your youngest when you started bathing them together?
Posted by: Lisa F | Nov 02, 2008 at 03:39 PM