Suggestions for Bathing

I have three kids and my youngest is 16 months and he's all over the tub. My best recommendation is buy a bath mat and toys and keep one hand on him as best you can. He probably won't ever just sit down, but if you make the bath tub safe as possible, and let him up and around a bit, he will eventually sit down and play. It worked with all my kids in the span of a couple of baths, so it won't be forever. My youngest has decided that his newest trick is to put his face in the water, and try to drink or blow bubbles, so they will ALWAYS come up with something to try to scare the life out of you!

Good luck!

When my kids were young ( they are 8 and 11 now)I sometimes had to get my swimsuit on and get in the tub with them. It did work!They liked me being a part of their bath time too in that way. We then graduated to taking a shower in the same way. Never had a problem after that. Good luck!
L. J.

Maybe try getting a handshower if he likes the water so much. Maybe if he gets to sit and hold it a little bit he'd like sitting! Just a thought.

Yesterday I saw a bathtub bumper at toys r us. Maybe that would help. It is kind of like the bumper for a crib.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3012733

My son (11 months) does the same thing! Ever since he learned to pull himself up to standing that is all he wants to do. We just firmly tell hime to sit back down and help him to do it. We also have a no-skid bottom on the tub which helps tremendously!

Hi, we had the same problem and bought a slip-resistant bath mat for the bottom of the tub. That has made all the difference! They sell character ones at Babies-R-Us, but you can get plain ones at Target...I think they run around $10.

I joke that my daughter is a slippery, playful seal in the tub. My aunt bought me the absolute greatest invention. It's slip-resistant bath mat and it works great. It's really long and has 6 suction cups so it doesn't move. Do a google search for The First Years bath mat. Hope this helps.

I used a laundry basket. Buy a sturdy square one. The water flows through and toys don't float too far away so he won't have to get up to get them. It saved my back also.

Mom of a 22 and 18 year old.

I was having problems that my 8 month old out grew his infant tub. I can't find a seat anywhere. I should say a cheap one. Anyway my brother's fiance's mom told me when her kids were little she used a small clothes basket. At the time I thought that's funny. Well I tried it yesterday and it worked perfectly! It's a small square one. I just filled the tub a little water stayed in the bottom of the basket but not too much and he sat fine. I was able to bath him without having to hold on to him and he was happy with a couple of toys to play with!! Maybe it will work for you.
H.

I would look at a detachable shower head so you can wash him down while he's standing.

Another option is to take him into the shower with you, he can lather up standing there as well.

If he likes his baths quick, then keep them quick, wet, lather, rinse, done.

Good luck.

Have you tried the little rubber sticky things that you stick to the bottom of the tub to prevent slipping? We use little frogs, they just suction to the bottom of the tub. I know your goal is to get him to stop standing/walking around in the tub, but sometimes going with the flow and just preventing ouchies is the way to go... Good luck!

I keep a cover over the faucet and a bath mat on the tub. I soap him up and rinse him off first thing and make sure there are plenty of "sit down" toys to play with. Big cups and a ball are always a hit!

Inserts in the bathtub did not work for us. And because our bathtub had a rough service (as many do now) the suction cups sold in stores did not work. I thankfully came across noslipgatorgrips.com and it's been a lifesaver. Good luck!

Try having everything ready to wash him as soon as he gets in the tub. Then let him play. When he stands up sit him back down just like you have been doing. But warn him if he does not sit there will be no more tub time. Give him 2 chances and then on the third take him out and have bath time over. I know he is young to understand this concept but after a couple of times not playing in the bath he will catch on. Like you said, it is dangerous and you want him to know early on that dangerous actions are not negotiable. Good luck!

We STILL bathe my 2.5 year old son in his "infant" bath tub. We put it in the big bath tub, and fill it up a bit. This way he's more confined. It might help you out a bit b/c he wouldn't be sliding all over the place - though if he's standing up it might still get tricky.

The tub was by "Summer" I think...
T.

My 18 month old does the same. I try to go with the flow on this one and just keep her seated as much as possible. Do you have toys? Of course those can help a little bit. If Emma gets up, I just make sure to hold her hand the whole time she's moving and then get her to sit back down. I'm assuming (hoping!) some of her busyness will fade as she gets older.
K.

Maybe try taking showers with him. That way it is quicker. Also, maybe invest in a non-skid tub mat so it won't be so slippery. I have a 13 month old little girl, they are ornery at this age aren't they ;)

Hi there,
I'm not sure if this might work for you, but what about bathing him while you take a shower? With a bathmat on the floor to keep him from slipping, he may enjoy playing while you shower with him.

Just a thought...

T.

Do you have any bath toys? Our kids really like to draw with bath crayons. A bubble bath is fun too. If he finds something that he likes to play with he may resist climbing out. Maybe a not skid bath mat or a towel at the bottom will help with the slipping.

Hi,

First, you should get a bath mat asap!! I'm sure others have told you that (I haven't read the other responses yet) Then, see if he likes the shower. My baby had a poop incident where the poop was on him and me and I didn't want to put him down and clean me up so I put both of us in the shower so the poop would go down the drain and we could wash up. Anyway, HE LOVED THE SHOWER!!!. Now I just put him in the shower with the drain out and let him play with the water. I can barely get him out of the tub now. But remember the Slip proof bathtub mat.

We used this tub till my son was almost 2. Best investment ever....cost more than most infant tubs, but works like a charm for toddlers too.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2404856

Have you tried giving him little floating toys to keep him distracted while you wash him. Another thing you can do is take a wash cloth fold it in half, sew up two side and drop your bar of soap in. The cloth is always soapy for quick washing and out of the tub he goes.

MR....I know Avon use to make those bathtub "crayons" that they can use to write on the tub or walls. You might want to check them or even bed,bath and beyond for it. He might not totally sit still, but he will stay in the tub the whole time and he will get clean. And these "crayone" do come off the tub and the wall and it helps keep your tub and shower walls stay clean at the sametime lol...Good Luck

Try getting a little inflatable one ring kiddie pool and put it in the tub. It is not as slippery and should be easy to put in and take out.