bathing with toddler

Mani

What are AP thoughts on co-bathing? Does anyone here do it?

I was I was talking with a coworker and I mentioned to her I bath with my 21month old  daughter. She wrinkled her nose in disgust. I just laughed it off but I guess I felt judged hence me writing this post to get others thoughts.

TIA

Mani

bride2be8108

I think it was rude for your co-worker to wrinkle her nose in disgust- that's her issue not yours.

I don't have a baby yet but I say if you are both comfortable with it then it's okay. I think as she gets older you may find that she may want her independence- or not.  Just something to be aware of. As long as you are listening or watching for any signs that she is not ok with it then keep enjoying your baths.  I mean she's 21 months not five years old.

trust your gut. 

 

Uiowachick01

I take showers with O and baths with him.  He thinks its so funny when I get in the bath with him.  I see no problems until O starts to notice my differences, so probably around 3yo.

HappyMommy28

I bathe and shower with DS. I think it's fun and a great bonding experience. It's so relaxing to sit in the tub with DS and breast feed while the warm water surrounds us.  I figure, I'll stop when he starts noticing that we have different parts.

ncbelle

That seems like a weird thing to be disgusted by!  DH and I both have bathed with kiddo - it's just easier sometimes (especially now that it's harder for me to lean over the tub). 

I'd also add that he's noticed our "differences" for some time - but I don't see that as problematic.  I'm not going to be running around naked in front of him in a few years but right now I don't see it as an issue at all.

TabithaGoins

ncbelle:

That seems like a weird thing to be disgusted by!  DH and I both have bathed with kiddo - it's just easier sometimes (especially now that it's harder for me to lean over the tub). 

I'd also add that he's noticed our "differences" for some time - but I don't see that as problematic.  I'm not going to be running around naked in front of him in a few years but right now I don't see it as an issue at all.

This exactly!  T loves when I sit in the bath with him, I bathed with my older DD from time to time and I bathe with T from time to time.

flippy1234

I don't see anything wrong with it, then again I hopped in the shower w/ my 7 year old last week when we were running late and both needed showers in the morning. lol

katie6195

Yeah, I don't see the problem with this at all. Both my husband and I have taken baths with our LOs. We've got a big soaking tub so I can actually fit me, my son and DD in there My DS notices the differences between DH and I, but I don't see how at this age it is a big deal. I wonder if this co-worker even has kids.. maybe she just doesn't get it?

Jelliebean1982

My three year old still hops in the shower with me whenever.  However, since she noticed the differences between guys and girls she doesn't shower with DH anymore.  I don't think it's a big deal.  There's no privacy with little kids in the house. 

webMistress0609

Ari & I had dropped co-bathing for a few months (not for any particular reason, just got out of the routine), but I've started doing it again recently. One, it saves time. Two, I've found it really calms him down before bed & he's had some wicked separation anxiety issues.

jennterrell

our home doesn't have a tub, only a stand-up shower stall with a built in seat/shelf. So showering with DS is pretty much our only way to bathe him since he outgrew the newborn tub. Usually DS and DS shower together, but probably once a week or so, he showers with me. He's noticed the "parts" differences for a long time, sometimes he will comment on it, but I see it as healthy that he knows the difference.

tommigirle

i bathe with my kids at least a few times a week. to me it's a great way to bond, there are very few distractions in the tub and after a particularly busy day it is sometimes the mom time that they need.

 

i don't see the big deal in the "differences" mentioned above. i mean, boys have penises and girls have vaginas. i would expect my children to know and understand the differences, not hide them from them or censor it somehow. 

haleymay18

I bathe with my 17 month old. But it is more for convenience than anything else.

pinkpajamapants

We have baths with our DD (26months) - she hates showers. I dont know whats wrong with noticing differences. I grew up in Europe and my parents made no big deal about being naked, we went to the sauna etc. So, what? I dont run around naked in the apartment, but if she walks in when I am drying myself after a shower, I am going on as normal because it is. I think once my child gets uncomfortable, then I will make sure to let them know about private time etc. ("Mom is taking a shower, I will be back in 10" etc).