Baths

How do you bathe your babies? How often do you do it? What works for you and what doesn't work?



I keep trying to give them baths one after the other and it ends up being such a huge. exhausting process. (Doesn't help that I haven't slept well in like a year at this point.) Right now they're getting 1-2 baths a week, and I'm feeling like a bad mom for it. I can't seem to find the most efficient way of doing it. Bathing them usually takes an hour from start to finish, and I'd *like* to do it every other day. I've tried:

* getting them both naked, putting one on a diaper in the bouncy seat while I bathe the first one. Dry first one, set him/her on the diaper in bouncy and put the 2nd one in the tub. Take them both to their crib for a lotion, diapering and getting dressed assembly line.

* leaving one to play in the crib while I bathe, dry & dress the first one, and then swapping for #2's bath. Basically doing one complete bath routine and then starting all over again with the 2nd baby.

* bathing them on alternate days. This one still isn't exactly easy, because I'm in our small bathroom with the other twin in a bouncy and my 3 yr old "helping" me. Plus then I have to get the bath set up every day.

 

We've done nightly baths since they were 3 months old. It is hard, but we decided to do it in an effort to combat some sleep issues we were having. It works well as part of our night routine.

For the most part, my husband helps. He takes care of one while I take care of the other. He has traveled a lot, though, and often works late, so I've had to do it on my own a lot. I still manage, but it is so much easier with dh helping.

It really helps now that the boys are holding their own bottles. They've outgrown the bouncy and swing so I can't put them in those anymore. I put them in their SBS stroller now for a safe holding place. My new method, now that they hold their own bottles, is to prepare the bottles first, then put the boys in the SBS and give them the bottles. They suck their bottles while I prepare the first bath (we still bathe them in the kitchen sink). I take the first baby, usually the one that is crying or about to lose patience, and I bath him quickly (I have this down to about 3 minutes) and take him to the nursery where I use a blow dryer to dry him, then diaper him, then do a little baby-oil massage and dress him. I then put him back in the SBS with his bottle and do the same routine with the other. It takes me a little less than 10 minutes per baby. When they are both bathed and in their pajamas I focus in finishing their night bottles, then read to them, cuddle, sing, etc., whatever needs to be done to get them ready for bed. After the bath, they usually go to sleep within 30 minutes. We're trying to get it to where they finish their night bottles prior to the bath so after bath can be more about the stories, lullabies, and cuddles.

Once again, I think that bathing twins is difficult and I totally understand anyone who has trouble accomplishing it on a regular basis. Before we started this routine, my boys were lucky to get 1-2 baths per week. After 3 months we just made it a huge priority because we were desperate for routine and sleep.

 

I do baths when they start to smell!! lol just kidding! But I do baths a couple times a week and I do them one after the other. I bring them both in the bathroom lay them on the floor with everything we need. Then I get in the shower and rinse off. While I'm drying I fill up the baby tub and put the first baby in. Take him out and dry him then diaper and he hangs out while his brother gets clean. Then I lotion and dress them together. Baths are fairly quick, about 5 minutes for each baby.

Hope you find something that works for you!

 

I have a small toddler tub and I fill it while they are eating, then I take one straight from the high chair and bathe them and then put them in the pack n play to play. Then I bathe the other (yep in the same water unless one is sick and then put them in the pack n play, then I clean the high chairs, dump the water out of the toddler tub and we are off to play in the playroom, put on jammies and lotion, and later a bottle, snack, and bed!
Hope that helps!

 

we do daily baths too, as part of our bedtime routine. i usually do it alone as DH often works late or is travelling, but i agree with PP, when DH is here it is much easier.

this is how i do it:

set up play area with a blanket and toys on the floor right outside of bathroom door(this is a safe zone because i can close all the doors that they could escape from and still see them)

get out jammies and towels

run a few inches of water into the tub(i bathe them in the regular tub-less to clean up and more room for them to splash) i have a squishy bath mat on the bottom that they lay on.

undress 1st baby, bathe, dry, lotion, jammie and then onto the floor to play

run fresh water into tub

repeat with 2nd baby

our diaper changing area is on our bathroom counter so it makes it very easy. i guess i am lucky there...

i can get both of them done in about 20-25 minutes

but to be honest, babies don't really need to be bathed everyday and i don't think you should feel bad about only doing 1-2 baths a week. i would probably do it less often too if i had a 3 year old "helper", just do what you can.

 

I started to do baths every night around 3 months old to start a bedtime routine. I get each naked and take them to the bathroom. I start with one in the bath and one beside me. I clean the first one and dry him off then switch. After the second one is washed I dry him off and then lotion and dress each of them in pjs. (I make sure I have everything I need in the bathroom before I start so I don't have to move all around trying to do it.) I start this at 6pm every night. The whole process take 10-15 min. If my husband is home to help he lotions and dresses the first one after his bath while I am working on number 2. I'm sure once they get a little older and start wanting to play it may take a bit longer but right now they simply enjoy just getting a bath. Hope that helps.

 

The girls get baths every night as part of their nighttime routine. It's the only routine that seems to be working right now. We have done this since their umbilical cords fell off. both the girls have reflux so they usually spit up all over themselves on a daily basis. it's necessary for both of them to be cleaned daily. the whole process takes me about 30 minutes maybe less and usually one baby is crying because it's really close to their bedtime and they start to get really cranky at the end of the day.

-put both babies in their cribs or on palette on floor to play while I get the water ready in their tub that is inside our tub.

-get one baby and undress her. proceed to bathroom and clean her. i try to be as quick as possible because, like i said, the other baby is crying because they are tired and can't stand when i leave the room.

-wrapped baby in towel and get her dressed in her pj's in their room on changing table. put her back into crib or palette.

-empty old water and put new water in

-undress other baby and wash...repeat steps.

it's a daunting process and as pp's said it's so much easier when dh is home but 9 times out of 10 i'm alone. it's stressful on me because they both usually end up crying and screaming at the end. they are hungry and tired...that's an evil combination for a baby.

 

We are still using the sink tub. I have been doing baths since 3months. Im normally alone because DH is working. I use the highchair( with lots of toys) for one and get the other one undressed and in the bath. When they are done I wrap them in their towel and head off to bedroom. I pull the other one with us in the highchair ( I have all tile floors). I get them ready for bed (lotion, jammies etc.) then I switch them out and repeat. It takes about 20-25 minutes for both.

Im sure Im going to have to come up with a new plan when they outgrow the sink tub...........

Has anyone used the big blow up duck that you put in the tub? If you have do you put both in there? My niece loved that duck!!!!

 

I have two Safety 1st Bath Seats -- they attach to the side of the tub and let the babies sit upright. I get all their things together (diapers, jammies, towels, etc.), take both babies into the bathroom and then shut the door. I bathe them together in their seats facing each other -- they love splashing and "talking" to each other. When we're done, I take one out, towel off in a place where I can still see the one in the tub, and let him/her crawl on the floor naked and then get the other out. Then it's dry off #2, diaper and dress both -- and off we go. In total takes about 20 minutes.

 

HERE is a great thread we did a few months ago about bathing logistics. HTH!

 

I can't wait until DD is able to sit in one of those tub seats--then I could bathe them both at the same time! She's still very small and wiggly, so even in the baby tub I have to have a hand on her at all times. She's feisty.

It looks like a lot of you are doing baths as part of a bedtime routine. That's what we've always done with our older DD, since she was a newborn. It really makes things difficult in the evenings, though, because we've already got a bathtime routine with her at night so I can't figure out how we'd fit the babies' baths into that! Have I mentioned we only have 1 bathroom in our house? Right now I'm bathing them in the morning just before their nap, which means that from when I wake up until after the bath I don't have a break.


QUOTE
. it's stressful on me because they both usually end up crying and screaming at the end.

YES! That's why it's so exhausting, it's not just the labor involved. My son loves his bath so much that he spends the next 10 minutes screaming that the bath is over, and if I bathe DD first then she starts screaming because she's ready to nurse and take a nap. I just can't win!!

 

We have double sinks in our kitchen and that's where mine get baths now. I do them at the same time. I make sure I have their diapers and pajamas ready and waiting on the LR floor when I'm done. It is like an assembly line of babies. I ALWAYS empty all the water out of the sinks before I take the babies out. We will be moving to the bathtub soon though, as they are getting bigger. It helps to have the pj's, diapers and lotion ready before you start their bath. Oh, and we only bathe them every other day now, or as needed if they are extra dirty or stinky. Oh, and when I start giving them baths in the tub, I'm going to have those bathtub bumpers on. Someone on here recommended them a while ago...sounds like a good idea, especially if they are still a little wobbly sitting.

 

The main thing is making sure everything needed is right at hand. I once left the towel too far away, and ended up carrying wet baby. I have a stack of needed items, arranged so that the next thing I need is always on top. From top to bottom:

Washcloth
Towel wrap
Diaper
Onesie
Swaddle
Washcloth
Towel wrap
Diaper
Onesie
Swaddle

Our twins are different sizes, so diapers and clothes have to be in the correct position in the stack.

The "assembly line" is coordinated so that DW can feed them as they emerge from the bath; then I take the next step in the assembly line and burp them and put them down.

I quickly learned with my older child that leaning over the edge of the tub is really awful on both knees and back. We have a small plastic tub that goes in the big tub. I sit on a stool, also inside the tub. Sometimes I will even take off my shoes and put my feet in the baby tub to avoid having to reach far.

I should probably change the water between twins, [SIZE=8pt]but I don't always[/SIZE]:unsure:

The twins get baths Monday and Friday. The older child gets baths Sunday and Thursday, plus mini-baths Tuesday and Saturday. I joke that Wednesday is when I have time to bathe myself.

 

Infants only need to bath 1 or 2 times a week unless they spit up bad, have poopy blow outs or are stinky! A wet face cloth around the neck and "rolls" is sufficient the rest of the week!

Right now I bath them both in the baby tub on the counter in the bathroom. When I'm home alone I put both babies on my bed in my room (which is open to the bathroom), strip one on the changing table in my room and bath them, then back to the changing table to diaper/lotion/dress and then wrap them back in a blanket and back onto my bed. I then do the second baby the same way, I rarely change the water unless one poops in it! They aren't sweaty, they aren't dirty (again unless one has pooped), so it's just a rinse I'm shooting for! Sharing water won't hurt them!

It's much easier when dh is here cause he does the diaper/lotion for #1 while I bath #2, but it can be done alone, even with my 2.5 yr old helper!

 

ok, confession time - I have a hard time getting them a bath a week! I have severe tendonitis in my right wrist and it's so painful to do it. DH doesn't feel confident enough to do it himself.

 

Ok, believe it not, right up until they were around 8 months and I could bathe them together in the regular bath tub, baths were limited to once or twice a week. I wouldn't bathe anyone until DH was home so that he could watch one while I bathed the other, and then we'd swap. Besides, they really didn't get that dirty as they weren't mobile. We now bathe them daily, mostly because they love it and it tires them out. It also helps that they are filthy eaters so that's one way to deal with it!!

 

Hey I think you guys are great, even the ones who "only" bathe them once or twice a week. My boys get a bath 3 times a week, but since I work outside the home I make the nanny do it. :blush:

 

DH and i have made bathing a team effort and it is done every other night. He gets the baby bathtub set up, between us we get the first one bathed and hair washed, and while im in dressing and swaddling the first one, he bathes the second baby and brings him to me to dry off while he goes back in to clean up whatever mess we made.


Kenneth and Ian are 18 days old

 

We are bathing with the tub that sits on the sink for now..

I bathe 1 girl, and then take her and lotion her, put Pjammas on, and swaddle her, while DH bathes her sister, then we trade off babies, and i lotion, and diaper, jamma, and swaddle the other. Once they are calmed down from the torture that is the cold "lotion" and are sleepy but not asleep we lay them down to bed.

 

We do baths every other night. on the off nights we get a bowl of warm soapy water and a cloth and wash their face, hands, neck and feet.

I take one in the bath [we timed it.. takes about 5 mins] then I take them out wrap in a towel and head for the living room [where there's a blanket/big towel layed on the floor with: lotion, ointment, diapers, jammies, and bed time bottles on the table all ready. As I'm getting one lotioned up and jammies on, DH takes the other in and bathes her. By the time they're ready for their bottle, mine has finished hers and is ready to be put down.

That's how it usually goes for us. I'm sure it will change in due time.. pretty soon it will be: bath, brush teeth, story and bed. But until then, this works well for us. Also, we still use the little tub for them ^_^ They've pretty much outgrown it, but I'm a little scared to put them in the BIG tub [even though we put the little tub IN the big tub to bathe them ]

 

Everynight after dinner as part of their bedtime routine. We used to give them baths one at a time - but for about two/three weeks now, we've been putting them together in the bathtub. Much easier. DH and I sometimes do it togther, other times, I bathe them by myself. When I'm by myself, I take one baby out of the, dry 'em off, set them down and then the other baby. Once they are both dry - take them both into their room to put them in PJs. Takes a while but it's much easier now than doing one baby at a time.

 

We're soon outgrowing the infant bathtub too. So our routine will change soon.
My dh & I are an amazing team. We bathe them Weds & Sat nights starting around 7:30pm.
We trade off who is the "swimmy fish" donning our bathing suits to bathe them. We too wet otherwise!
Granted we try to lay out everything ahead of time & turn on the warming lights in the bathroom when it's chilly.

The "swimmy fish" starts the water & undresses the first "fish" of the night.
The dry adult gets the 2nd one ready. And a hand off is made when the first "fish" is done.
The dry adult gets the 1st one changed into jammies & starts a bottle.
The "swimmy fish" then finishes up with the 2nd one.

It works so far, but going to change soon.

 

we do baths by alternating so each baby gets bathed every other night. whoever doesn't get a bath entertains himself or DH entertains him. it's too exhausting to do both every day and frankly their delicate skin doesn't need to be fully bathed that often. even with the gentlest products you'll strip their skin of natural oils. i probably would do every 2 days if they weren't such messy refluxers.

we have an infant tub and i lay whoever is getting bathed on his towel on the bathroom rug while i run water. then i undress him and pop him into the tub. i know many people just fill the bathtub itself with water but i find the infant tub is a good positioner and helps immensely. it's a quick bath, because it's not like they've been working in a coal mine starting with genitals and then moving from feet to head. we end with a quick hair wash and then right out onto the towel on the floor next to me. i set up ahead of time to have a diaper, diaper cream, lotion and jammies next to me. we dry and dress right there on the floor. start to finish it's a 15-20 minute event.