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Although baby baths are popular in many households, they aren’t for everyone. You may live in a flat which doesn’t have a bath to put one in, or you might just feel a baby bath is just a bit cumbersome to use on a regular basis. Furthermore, when you put a small baby in a baby bath, they can slide about too much and cry a lot, which is very frustrating when you’re trying to wash them.
And then there’s the issue of storage? Where do you put thing when you’re not using it so it isn’t in everyone’s way? If you have a big bathroom, it’s not really a problem. In our household, the baby bath either stays in the bath or on top of the toilet seat!
In this article let’s take a look at some alternatives to using a baby bath.
How to prepare your baby for a bath
Before looking at what options are available, it’s important you have everything set up properly before you start washing your baby. This isn’t always easy. If you’ve had a busy day, it can be tempting to rush the bathtime routine just so you can have a bit more down time. However, here 5 things you need to bear in mind:
- Make sure the water temperature is ok.
- Close any window so there is no draught.
- Get your baby’s towel ready.
- Gather all the necessary products; body wash and shampoo.
- Make sure they stay wet and warm when you’re washing them.
Baby bath alternatives
Here are some alternatives to consider if you think a baby bath isn’t right for you.
Use ordinary bath
Who says you can’t just use an ordinary bath? As long as you watch your baby closely, in most cases you can wash them fairly easily. The advantage of this is that you save money not having to buy any special baby bath products. Furthermore, it’s easy to clean and you don’t have to tip out any of the water when you’ve finished. The only slight issue is that your baby might be a bit too low down for you to wash them comfortably. If you have any back problems or if the sides of the bath are particularly high, you might want to think about buying something to make your life a bit easier.
Should you bath with your baby?
If you have doubts about putting your infant in a big bath all by herself, you might want to consider bathing with your baby. Just make sure you get in the bath by yourself first and then pick up the baby and put her in (if your partner is around they can help).
Use the shower
If you don’t have a bath, you can try and have a shower with your baby. However, this is slightly riskier. The floor is slippery so there is a greater risk of you and your baby falling over. Also, the pressure of the water can be a bit scary for an infant. If you do decide to go with this option, make sure you use an anti-slip mat on the shower floor. You can also use a water sling to keep your baby securely attached to you. Space might be a little tight if you shower with your baby, so ensure your can easily access shampoo, soap and other products.
Kitchen or bathroom sink
It might not seem very hygienic, but for small babies you can use your sink to wash them in. The main advantage is that you can stand up as you clean them which makes it a lot more comfortable for you and puts less strain on your back. You will also use less water. Just ensure the sink is clean before you put them in, and if you’ve used any cleaning products or bleach earlier on in the day, rinse the sink thoroughly first.
If you would like to use the sink space for washing your baby but without putting them in it, you can purchase the First Years 4 in 1 Warming Comfort Tub.
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Sponge bathe your baby
One of the common misconceptions is that babies need to have a bath every day. In fact for newborns you shouldn’t bathe newborn babies until the umbilical cord falls off. The safest way is just to give them a sponge bath using water with or without a mild soap.
But you can keep using sponge baths for a while longer during your baby’s first year. Just use a washcloth and clean your baby making sure you don’t forget the dirtier areas around the hands, face and bottom. However, you probably want to give them a proper bath every so often.
If none of the previous options are suitable and you want to purchase a baby product as an alternative to a baby bath, here are some items to consider.
Changing station with built in bath
The Primo EuroSpa Bath and Changing Center comes with a changing pad, bath tub and stand. It even has wheels so you can conveniently move it from one room to another.
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Bath seat
If you have a bath tub and don’t like the idea of a bulky baby bath, you might want to consider a bath seat. These products usually have suction cups to attach to the sides of the bath and drain holes at the bottom of the seat so the water can run off easily. You just need to fill up the bath a bit, attach the product, and put your baby in the seat. One advantage with this over an actual baby bath is that the baby will be in a more elevated position so you can clean them easier.
Summer My Bath Seat Soft Support
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Bath support
If your main obstacle for buying a baby bath is its size, you might want to consider a bath support. These are a little smaller and more comfortable for your baby to sit in. Bath supports usually feature some kind of mesh material which allows water to drain easily and they are designed so your baby won’t slip down. The downside is that they won’t last as long as a baby bath and you still have to bend down into the bath tub to wash and clean them.
Angelcare Baby Bath Support
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Bathwater barrier
One of the reasons why a bath tub isn’t suitable for a baby is because it’s just too big. If you buy a bathwater barrier this gets around this problem. It’s takes up a small amount of storage space (compared to a baby bath) and you can section off part of the tub so your baby can have a cosier and more playful experience. You can still wash them as normal, and you can even resize the barrier as your baby grows until they can use the tub as normal. Another advantage is that you’re using less water. However, for washing your baby you will still have to bend over a lot and crouch down to wash them.
BabyDam: The Original Bathwater Barrier
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Collapsible baby bath
One of the main issues with baby baths is their bulky size and finding a convenient place to store them. As a workaround, you can purchase baby baths which fold up making storage a lot easier!
Stokke Flexi Bath
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Graham is a father of two who founded Dadometer to share his parenting journey with other moms and dads.
