Getting Showers

angelinthepit23

So I need to figure out a better way for me to get a shower when I'm alone because waiting for someone to get home is not working. 

I figure I could either strap LO in his bouncy chair outside the shower or I saw someone online put their baby in a Bumbo inside the shower with them. LO loves water so I thought that might work but we don't have a Bumbo so I'm not sure how safe that would be. 

MargaretC5

I put LO in the bouncy chair in the bathroom.  Not sure about the Bumbo idea, I would be worried about getting soap in their eyes.
Once they are can use a jumper that is perfect also.

Pontot31

I wouldn't put the bumbo in the shower. They can tip easily.  
The TV entertains my LO for 10-15 minutes most days if he's awake and I need to shower. Or I bring the rock n play in the bathroom. 

You O I can get a water sling or wrap if you really want to bring them into the shower. I'm getting one for the summer when I take my 4 year old to the splash pad so I can wear DS and let him feel the water too. 

kmd91

I would say no to the bumbo because it's honestly not safe. As PP mentioned, they can tip. You get an air bubble under there and it can make it super unstable. 

I've been alone with my son for a month now, and honestly what I do is shower after I get him down to sleep for the night. Or if I'm feeling risky I'll try and get up before he wakes up and shower. But my bathroom is in my bedroom where he is sleeping, so when I leave the door open I can hear if he wakes up (only happened twice this month, luckily). So it also kinda depends on your house set up. 

If my son is awake he won't tolerate me showering, and if I bring him in the bathroom with me he always wakes up. 

MoRay05

I shower at night. LO won't give me more than five minutes if I put him in the RNP. 

angelinthepit23

I would at night but I usually have a zillion other things to do after work so it would be easier if he could shower with me or near me. He likes his bouncy seat but I know if I try to shower he will throw a fit because that is my life!

I already get up at 5am and don't go to bed until about 11pm so getting up earlier would make me a zombie.

I guess I'll try the bouncy seat and if he pitches a fit oh well. 

rachswi

I've only showered a few times with LO when someone wasn't there to hold him. I put him in his bouncy seat in the bathroom. He handled it well because the sound of running water was calming white noise for him. If your LO likes the bouncy seat he should be fine. If not - shower quickly!

bravoandprosecco

I put him in the bouncer as well,  he's totally fine with it most days, I think he likes the sound of the shower

Tracy1111

Bumbo advise not to use seat in showers. A little one died not long ago.https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3428140/Baby-boy-died-improper-use-Bumbo-seat-inquest-heard.html 

My little one loves the sound of running water and sits in his bouncy chair for 20 minutes in the bathroom. He often sleeps. The steam is good for his congestion too. 

JLW0504

I put LO in her crib and bring the monitor in the bathroom with me. Honestly, if she cries sometimes, I'm not too worried b/c she cries when I'm holding her too, so I see no difference. I take 10 min showers. It's not like I"m soaking in a bubble bath for hours letting her CIO. If you're afraid of LO crying, like other PPs said, put LO in the bouncy in the bathroom with you. I've known moms to bring the RnP in there too(not in the shower, but the bathroom). It's all really a trial and error method. I'm not sure where you work but, if you have an in house gym, get a shower there. I do sometimes if I can't get one at home. I show up in workout clothes and pretend I just got done with a workout.  

I also never style my hair anymore unless going to a fancy event. It's all pony tails and messy buns for me anymore.

kwaldy

I shower first thing in the morning, before LO wakes up, on days I go to work. On weekends and such, sometimes I'll put the rock b play in the bathroom and give her some rattles to play with. Either that or I'll put her in her crib, and turn on the video monitor and bring it in the bathroom. 

ColoradoHiker

DS usually takes a long enough nap in the morning for me to get a quick shower in, or in the  afternoon.  I have a video monitor, but I just turn up the volume so I can hear him if he wakes up and is crying hysterically.  

rubirubi89

Recently my son has gotten into kicking the crap out of the bottom part of the mobile in his crib. So I put him there and shower in his bathroom so I can hear if he cries. If i want a much needed bath, I've woken up at 1-2am a few times and enjoyed an hour long bath. 

VexedMommy

I've been by myself for the most parts since Bridget was born.  I take showers and sometimes baths when she is asleep.  I've also considered putting her in her little bathtub (without water in it) inside the shower but out of the spray. 

ETA: @Pontot31 what type/brand of wrap do you recommend for getting wet with your LO?  I was completely against wraps for a while, but now I'm in love.  Once I got over the fear of wrapping her wrong and dropping her it's been awesome.  I am looking into buying one soon but am using the ones in my IBW chapters library until I decide what I like best.  

helsbels222

I put LO in the bouncer in the bathroom. She just looks around or plays with her toys. 

helsbels222

Pontot31 said:

I wouldn't put the bumbo in the shower. They can tip easily.  
The TV entertains my LO for 10-15 minutes most days if he's awake and I need to shower. Or I bring the rock n play in the bathroom. 

You O I can get a water sling or wrap if you really want to bring them into the shower. I'm getting one for the summer when I take my 4 year old to the splash pad so I can wear DS and let him feel the water too. 

I found Beachfront baby wraps and slings and was thinking of getting one to use this summer in the pool or water park. Do you have any experience with these carriers?

kmd91

VexedMommy said:

I've been by myself for the most parts since Bridget was born.  I take showers and sometimes baths when she is asleep.  I've also considered putting her in her little bathtub (without water in it) inside the shower but out of the spray. 

ETA: @Pontot31 what type/brand of wrap do you recommend for getting wet with your LO?  I was completely against wraps for a while, but now I'm in love.  Once I got over the fear of wrapping her wrong and dropping her it's been awesome.  I am looking into buying one soon but am using the ones in my IBW chapters library until I decide what I like best.  

Fun fact, I tried the baby tub in the shower idea one day when my son was super cranky and I didn't think he'd let me shower until super late. It worked out alright, but at one point I went from crouched down with him to stand up and grab a bottle of shampoo and because of tight quarters I bashed my lower back on the faucet and started bleeding everywhere and got a nice bruise. So it works, but just don't be as clumsy as me, haha

nmwheel1

My 2 year old sits on the bathroom floor in front of the shower door and the baby goes in her bouncy chair in the bathroom!

Pontot31

helsbels222 said:

Pontot31 said:

I wouldn't put the bumbo in the shower. They can tip easily.  
The TV entertains my LO for 10-15 minutes most days if he's awake and I need to shower. Or I bring the rock n play in the bathroom. 

You O I can get a water sling or wrap if you really want to bring them into the shower. I'm getting one for the summer when I take my 4 year old to the splash pad so I can wear DS and let him feel the water too. 

I found Beachfront baby wraps and slings and was thinking of getting one to use this summer in the pool or water park. Do you have any experience with these carriers?

@VexedMommy  Beachfront is what I've heard is a good one. My local baby wearing group has a ring sling and a wrap from them for people to try out and borrow. 
They are priced well too and will hold their resale value. 
A number of crafty moms I know have made their own with mesh fabric. Beachfront says what their's are made of on their site- if you're crafty you could probably make a water wrap yourself pretty easily. 

VexedMommy

Pontot31 said:

helsbels222 said:

Pontot31 said:

I wouldn't put the bumbo in the shower. They can tip easily.  
The TV entertains my LO for 10-15 minutes most days if he's awake and I need to shower. Or I bring the rock n play in the bathroom. 

You O I can get a water sling or wrap if you really want to bring them into the shower. I'm getting one for the summer when I take my 4 year old to the splash pad so I can wear DS and let him feel the water too. 

I found Beachfront baby wraps and slings and was thinking of getting one to use this summer in the pool or water park. Do you have any experience with these carriers?

@VexedMommy  Beachfront is what I've heard is a good one. My local baby wearing group has a ring sling and a wrap from them for people to try out and borrow. 
They are priced well too and will hold their resale value. 
A number of crafty moms I know have made their own with mesh fabric. Beachfront says what their's are made of on their site- if you're crafty you could probably make a water wrap yourself pretty easily. 

Thanks.  I'm not terribly crafty, but wraps seem easy enough.  I would think you just hem the one long piece of fabric.

Pontot31

VexedMommy said:

Pontot31 said:

helsbels222 said:

Pontot31 said:

I wouldn't put the bumbo in the shower. They can tip easily.  
The TV entertains my LO for 10-15 minutes most days if he's awake and I need to shower. Or I bring the rock n play in the bathroom. 

You O I can get a water sling or wrap if you really want to bring them into the shower. I'm getting one for the summer when I take my 4 year old to the splash pad so I can wear DS and let him feel the water too. 

I found Beachfront baby wraps and slings and was thinking of getting one to use this summer in the pool or water park. Do you have any experience with these carriers?

@VexedMommy  Beachfront is what I've heard is a good one. My local baby wearing group has a ring sling and a wrap from them for people to try out and borrow. 
They are priced well too and will hold their resale value. 
A number of crafty moms I know have made their own with mesh fabric. Beachfront says what their's are made of on their site- if you're crafty you could probably make a water wrap yourself pretty easily. 

Thanks.  I'm not terribly crafty, but wraps seem easy enough.  I would think you just hem the one long piece of fabric.

I would think so.  I know there are lots of DIY pages. You could probably find a pattern. 

Knottie41914738

I have the Fisher price swing where the seat pops off to be a rocker. I take that into the bathroom with me and my daughter just chills in it. If she starts to get sassy I just pull the shower curtain back and pop in her binky. Sometimes just making funny faces at her or talking to her the whole time I'm showering works just fine too. I do the same thing with the rocker when I get ready to go anywhere. She loves to just sit and observe the hair and makeup transformation! 

wulfpackgirl

I take my showers around 7 or so at night after we've eaten and the husband looks after him then. Works out good for us. I've always liked taking a shower at night. My husband is home everyday though after work.

queenwog

I put LO in the bouncy seat in the bathroom. I would never get to shower if I had to wait for someone to be available and willing to hold him.

nmwheel1

@VexedMommy I just ordered the beachfront baby wrap!  Once I get it I can let you know how it is!  I have a Boba wrap and was the same, I was worried she would fall out of it, but love it now!

VexedMommy

nmwheel1 said:

@VexedMommy I just ordered the beachfront baby wrap!  Once I get it I can let you know how it is!  I have a Boba wrap and was the same, I was worried she would fall out of it, but love it now!

I'd love the feedback.  Thank you.

Elyse1384

When I'm alone with the kids (weekdays), I have showers down to a science if they wake up before I can get my shower in.  I put DD in her bouncy seat and give DS my phone to watch YouTube videos.  I shit you not, my 22 month old knows how to use the youtube app once I run the search for him to pull up kids songs.  He sits there and flips through songs (even knows to turn the phone sideways to activate full screen) and he'll dance to them while I take a quick shower.  If he gets bored of the songs, I give him "big boy assignments" to do (our entire second floor is child proof and he can only access toddler safe rooms/items).  For example, I ask him to find his blankie and bring it into the bathroom so it's not lonely.  Luckily it's a clear shower door so I can keep an eye on the two of them.  When DS was DD's age, he hated the bouncy yet loved the play mat so I put him on that.  You really just need to go with what your LO likes if you feel easier about having them in the bathroom while you shower (I prefer that myself).  

loverofnaps

I either bring him into the bathroom in his swing or do it at night when hubby is home to entertain him

laswett

I take G in the bathroom with me in his RnP. If he cries, I just reach out and put his binky back in. I have very few showers alone since SO commutes to work and is frequently on call. 

doodleoodle

I just want to say that this thread gave me the courage to try to shower this morning before DH woke up. I sat her in the bathroom in her little vibrating seat. She was quiet and studying everything the whole time. It was great! Now she doesn't even want to be put down long enough to change her diaper, but that's okay because I took a shower without help today! Woohoo! Lol I feel like a little kid. "I did it all by myself!"

angelinthepit23

doodleoodle said:

I just want to say that this thread gave me the courage to try to shower this morning before DH woke up. I sat her in the bathroom in her little vibrating seat. She was quiet and studying everything the whole time. It was great! Now she doesn't even want to be put down long enough to change her diaper, but that's okay because I took a shower without help today! Woohoo! Lol I feel like a little kid. "I did it all by myself!"

That's awesome! LO was in a leap an then got his 2 month shots. So once he's out of this cranky period I'm going to try! I'm hoping that vibrating seat does the trick! 

smnewby

As a ftm i seriously thought that my struggle to time my shower was just a sign of my ineptitude/overworrying. I really appreciate the mere existence of this thread. 

AmoLovesAud

DH loves to have some daddy-daughter time after work every day, I either take a quick shower + clean the house up a little, or take a relaxing long bath.  Haven't had a need to shower alone with her yet, thank goodness.  She falls asleep at the sound of water running but will not fall asleep in her bouncer (or anywhere but my arms...) and if she can't see me or DH for longer than a minute or 2 she freaks out.  Poor clingy baby.

kmd91

Tonight I will get my first leisurely shower in over a month! My husband is finally home, so if the baby wakes up during my shower he can handle it. I'm so excited and had to share with people who might understand that excitment, haha

smnewby

Baby slept through the night tonight! I woke up in pain from engorgement and decided to pump and take a loooong shower! Was so relaxing...even if it was 3am!

skabanak

doodleoodle said:

I just want to say that this thread gave me the courage to try to shower this morning before DH woke up. I sat her in the bathroom in her little vibrating seat. She was quiet and studying everything the whole time. It was great! Now she doesn't even want to be put down long enough to change her diaper, but that's okay because I took a shower without help today! Woohoo! Lol I feel like a little kid. "I did it all by myself!"

I also did this morning as well!!! Baby boy went in his bouncy chair and my daughter played with a sticker book she got for Christmas! I felt empowered!! Hubby was taking our oldest to school at the time  

Jtk13

I put LO in her baby tub in the bottom of the bathtub while I shower. It seems insane but she loves the water and being in there so she can see me. I worried about splashing her but the tub is big enough that her side doesn't get splashed. 

wimamaof2

I feed DS, burp him, we play for about 20 min (to avoid spit ups), take him to the bathroom in his bouncy seat and put his burp cloth or a blankie covering from underneath his armpits to avoid getting him wet (this is if I need to stick my arm out to give him his paci) and I turn on the vibration on his seat.  While showering, I sing and talk to him.  I have been doing this almost everyday for weeks.  Now, he gives me enough time to even blow dry my hair.

bridesmaidbitty

I did the same thing this morning.  Changed him, played with him, fed him & then into the blessed bouncy seat on the floor of my bathroom. I got an entire shower in !

angelinthepit23

Jtk13 said:

I put LO in her baby tub in the bottom of the bathtub while I shower. It seems insane but she loves the water and being in there so she can see me. I worried about splashing her but the tub is big enough that her side doesn't get splashed. 

Oh that's a great idea! I wonder if his baby tub will fit in ours. 

nycmommy13

I shower before LO wakes up. He'll sleep up to 10 hours or so (with 1-2 feeds in the middle), so usually I go to bed around 10pm and wake up at 5am to get myself ready and get his stuff for daycare. Then he wakes up or I wake him up around 6am. If he wakes up early, I feed him earlier, then hand him off to my husband while I shower and then take him again while my husband showers.