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With a few safety precautions, you can shower with your baby. Take care to avoid risking a fall or dropping your baby. Consider taking shorter, cooler showers and switching to baby soaps and shampoos.
You’ve learned the art of doing more than one thing at the same time. Tying one shoe while using the other foot to rock the bassinet. Eating a sandwich while holding your little one in your other arm and tilting the bottle with your chin. Running the Roomba for that “white noise” your newborn loves to fall asleep to. (Sure, this is multitasking — cleaning and soothing!)
So it makes sense that you might consider getting baby clean while you get clean, too. Two birds, one stone (proverbially only, of course). But is it OK to co-shower with your baby?
In short, this is OK if you take the right precautions — and there are definitely some considerations to keep in mind. Plus, don’t expect that you — or baby — will necessarily get all that clean without careful planning. Here are the deets.
You want to be careful about showering or bathing your baby too soon. Typically, when you bring your little bundle of joy home from the hospital, you still need to wait up to 2 weeks for their umbilical “stump” to fall off.
That’s when it’s OK for their little bodies to be submerged. (We’re counting a shower as submersion, since it can be hard to control where the water goes.)
Before this happens, it’s best to stick with a sponge bath or washcloth wipe-down if your baby needs it.
Related: How to give your newborn baby a bath
You may shower daily, but your newborn doesn’t need to — bathing once or twice a week is fine until they start eating solids. At that point, life gets more messy, and you may want to bathe them more frequently, whether in the shower or bath.
Related: How often should you bathe your baby?
Without the proper tools, it’s not the safest option, and here are some reasons why:
You’re slippery. Baby’s slippery. The floor is slippery. In other words, there’s a greater fall risk in the shower.
Depending on the pressure of the water, a shower can be quite shocking. Water hitting baby’s body can cause a struggle, which is not what you want with an increased fall risk.
Typical shower gels and shampoos that you use on yourself may hurt baby’s sensitive eyes or delicate skin.
And just using these items in the first place — without planning ahead of time to use a sling or some other carrier for baby — necessitates a one-handed baby hold, which isn’t safe, either.
If you take your baby into the shower well-prepared, you can make it a safer — and more fun! — experience for both of you. Just keep this in mind from the get-go: You may not get as clean as you’d like. Expectations can put a damper on the experience, so keep ’em low.
First off, make sure to have a grippy mat securely placed on your shower floor. This helps prevent slips and falls and gives you secure footing as you shower with your little one.
To further handle (no pun intended) potentially slippery situations, some parents prefer to use bath gloves rather than their bare hands when holding their baby in the shower. These gloves allow for a tighter grip.
A water sling can also provide a more secure way to hold your baby in the shower, especially if you’re just rinsing them off with lukewarm water — which is often fine for an infant who isn’t yet eating solids or crawling around, getting dirty.
If going with this option, it’s best not to take your baby out of the sling while in the shower.
Make sure you have an easy way to dispense any shower products while you’re in there, keeping in mind that you likely won’t be able to pick up the shampoo bottle in one hand and squeeze product into the other. Pump bottles or hands-free dispensers are good options.
And while you’re at it, be mindful of what you fill these bottles or dispensers with when it comes to baby.
Your usual shampoo or body wash may not be good options for your little one’s sensitive skin, which can dry out easily. Consider using baby-specific shampoos and cleansers instead. Don’t worry — they’ll make your skin soft, too!
Use lukewarm water — not so hot you steam up the bathroom quickly — and avoid having the spray hit your baby’s face.
If you prefer your showers on the hotter side, be sure to limit the time your baby is in the shower with you to just a few minutes or so.
If you have a partner at home, get them to help. This can be especially useful with a newborn. Have your partner stand by to hand you baby or take them from you (towel at the ready) when you’re done.
Another option? A family shower. This allows you and your partner to (carefully) pass your newborn between you as you take turns getting clean.
Finally, if your baby’s fussy, you might need to throw in the towel. Or at least limit their shower time to just a few minutes for a quick rinse. In general, you’ll want to make bathing and showering as positive an experience as possible!
Supplies for a safer shower
These products can ensure that you and baby have a safer, more pleasant shower experience. Shop for them online:
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First off, many new parents struggle to find the time to take their own showers, especially when it’s just you and baby at home alone. Keep in mind that even with a newborn at home, you can shower by yourself!
For a newborn, time your solo shower for when they’re sleeping if possible.
Bring their bassinet or baby bouncer within eyesight of the shower and let the soothing sounds of the shower work in your favor — when your baby is fed, burped, and sleepy, they likely won’t even wake up while you get your suds on.
On the other hand, sometimes showering with a baby isn’t just a fun, once-in-a-while option — it can feel like a necessity if you live in an apartment or other living space without a tub.
But you may want to try other baby bathing solutions that don’t require you to hold your infant in your arms. These include:
- using a baby bathtub on the shower floor while you kneel outside the shower
- using the sink
- filling a basin standalone baby tub with a little water and giving baby their own adorable shower with a baby showerhead (buy it online here)
And if you do have a full-sized bathtub, bathing with your baby is also an option.
It’s best to do this when they’ve gained head control and can sit in the tub with you, but the same guidelines apply — have a grippy tub mat and maintain a secure hold on baby while using lukewarm water and baby-safe products.
(Video) NO ONE SHOWED UP TO MY BABY SHOWER :(
Showering with your baby, if done safely, can be a fun experience for both of you. Just be sure to take the proper precautions and keep expectations for your own cleanliness on the lower side, and you’ll be fine.
FAQs
Can I Take a Shower with My Baby? ›
When can my baby go in the shower? Once your baby is past the newborn stage, you can bring them in the shower with you to get clean. It's best not to shower with a newborn baby, since they need their head supported at all times and it's harder for them to regulate their body temperature.
How do you take a shower when you have a baby? ›Use lukewarm water — not so hot you steam up the bathroom quickly — and avoid having the spray hit your baby's face. If you prefer your showers on the hotter side, be sure to limit the time your baby is in the shower with you to just a few minutes or so. If you have a partner at home, get them to help.
Where can I put my baby while I shower? ›Before you hop in the shower, make sure your baby is in a safe sleeping place, like a crib or bassinet with a firm mattress and no extra items (like blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals). Leave the bathroom door open so you can hear if they wake up, or bring the baby monitor into the bathroom with you.
What age can I bathe with my baby? ›Once your newborn's umbilical cord has fallen off, you can co-bathe together a couple times a week. You still want to avoid taking too many baby baths because this can dry out your baby's sensitive skin. Once your baby is about six weeks, you can bathe together a little more often if you want.
What to do if you only have a shower with a baby? ›Use the laundry or kitchen sink
If your baby doesn't like showers though and a baby's bath won't fit in your shower recess, consider the kitchen sink. If she's still tiny, you may find this an easier way to bath her anyway as you will be standing up, instead of getting a sore back from bending over.
Traditionally, close friends, cousins, aunts, sisters-in-law, and coworkers of the parents-to-be have been the appropriate hosts for baby shower parties.
How do you take a shower with a newborn alone? ›In this case, put your baby in a baby seat and bring the seat into the bathroom. Place it where it will not be splashed with hot water. Be sure you can still see your baby through the shower door or around the curtain. Remove any dangling plants or cords that may be within your baby's reach.
Can a mom host a baby shower? ›Because gifts are central to showers, having a member of the honoree's (or husband's) immediate family host appeared self-serving. Today it is appropriate for anyone to host a baby shower, as long as there's a legitimate reason.
How long is newborn stage? ›The term newborn is often used for babies under 28 days or even up to 2 or 3 months of age, according to experts. After this period (and even during the newborn stage), your little one may be referred to as a baby or an infant up until they're around 1 year of age.
Is it normal to bathe with your child? ›In many families, it's very normal and healthy to bathe or be naked together with a small child. (Your 3½-year-old is still in that category; kids will usually let you know when they don't want to anymore.)
What time is too late to give a baby a bath? ›
You can bath your baby at any time of the day. It's a good idea to pick a time when you're relaxed and you won't be interrupted. Try not to bath your baby when they're hungry or they've just had a feed. If bathing relaxes your baby, you can use it as a way to settle your baby in the evening.
What if nobody throws me a baby shower? ›So, don't be afraid to tell your close friends and family that no one is throwing you a baby shower. Sometimes, your loved ones may assume that someone else is doing it, which is why they haven't offered. If still no one offers, there's no need to worry.
Who pays for a girls baby shower? ›Who Foots The Bill? The host pays for the expenses of the baby shower. That being said, co-hosting a shower with one or two others is a good way to split the costs (and the planning).
How long can a newborn go without a bath? ›Newborns don't need a bath every day. They rarely sweat or get dirty enough to need a full bath that often. Three baths per week during baby's first year may be enough. Bathing more frequently can dry out your baby's skin.
Are parents supposed to pay for baby shower? ›Who Traditionally Pays for a Baby Shower? The hostess traditionally pays for the baby shower and its associated costs. However, the hostess can divide up the responsibility and costs by asking a few close family members or friends to co-host.
How much money do you give someone for a baby shower? ›For coworkers or acquaintances, people tend to spend around $30 to $50. For friends or distant relatives, many people spend between $50 and $100. For close friends or family members, most people spend between $100 and $200 or more.
Do men attend baby showers? ›Men are allowed at baby showers — especially if the father's in attendance. It's rare for a mom to have a co-ed or Jack&Jill baby shower and not invite any of her and the father's male friends and family members.
Can I shower while my newborn is awake? ›When your baby is awake. Yes it is possible and is really practical. Feed your baby, burp them, change them if needed. Pop them into a bouncer or lay them on a soft mat in the bathroom.
Who should not host a baby shower? ›Strict rules like “female guests only,” “the parent-to-be or their immediate family can't host the shower” and “you shouldn't have a shower for any baby after your first” were largely indisputable 60 to 80 years ago. Some people love sticking with those traditions, but with new decades come new flexibility.
Who throws the mother to be a baby shower? ›Who Hosts a Baby Shower? Most baby showers should be hosted by a sister, mother, mother-in-law, or close friend. Baby showers were traditionally thrown by family members who weren't close with the parents-to-be, to avoid the assumption that close family members wanted to collect gifts for themselves.
How much do you give for a 100 day baby celebration? ›
Traditional Baby 100 Days Celebration Gift: ang baos
The amount given should end with an even number while favouring the auspicious number eight. Giving new parents an ang bao with $88 or an amount with “88” in it signifies wishing double fortune and blessings.
Most people find the first six to eight weeks to be the hardest with a new baby. And, although people may not openly discuss many of the challenges in these early weeks of parenthood (if at all), there are a number of common hurdles you may face at this time.
What are the hardest months of a baby? ›1-3 Months
The first three months with your baby often seem the hardest. Sleep-deprived parents can feel overwhelmed, but that is normal and you will quickly learn how to read your baby's cues and personality. Don't worry about “spoiling” your baby at this stage.
But many first-time parents find that after the first month of parenthood, it can actually get more difficult. This surprising truth is one reason many experts refer to a baby's first three months of life as the “fourth trimester.” If months two, three, and beyond are tougher than you expected, you're not alone.
How do moms shower with a newborn? ›Use non-slip pads or mats both inside and outside of your shower to avoid slipping and falling while holding your baby. Have a warm and safe place to set your baby down after you dry them off. (You'll need to towel off, too.) Use pump bottles for soap, since it can be hard to squeeze a bottle while holding your baby.
Can I leave newborn alone to use bathroom? ›It's fine to leave your baby in their cot or basket while you go to the bathroom, brush your teeth, or have a quick tidy. In fact, your baby may even be safer there. They may not like being away from you, but they won't come to any harm in their cot if left for just a few minutes .
What happens if I don't shower my newborn? ›Common bacterial infections for newborns include Group B Strep and E. Coli which can lead to pneumonia and meningitis. By delaying the first bath, you are allowing the vernix to continue working as a safety net for your little one's immune system.
How long can you go without bathing a newborn? ›Newborns don't need a bath every day. They rarely sweat or get dirty enough to need a full bath that often. Three baths per week during baby's first year may be enough. Bathing more frequently can dry out your baby's skin.
How long can an infant go without a bath? ›How often does my newborn need a bath? There's no need to give your newborn baby a bath every day. Three times a week might be enough until your baby becomes more mobile. Bathing your baby too much can dry out your baby's skin.
Is it OK to skip baby bath? ›Experts generally agree that parents can safely bathe their newborns three times a week. That said, there is no hard and fast rule about how often you should bathe your infant. The AAP notes that three baths a week should be plenty for a newborn, but if you want to bathe your baby even less frequently, that's fine too!
Can babysitters shower with the kids? ›
if the babysitter is someone you trust. and someone who is consistent in your family, Should be no issues.
How do you shower with a newborn and toddler? ›Play and sing with your baby in the shower.
If you're showering with an older baby or a toddler, you can let them sit or stand on the floor of the shower. Give them a few bath toys to keep them entertained while you wash up. You can also hold your baby, sing to them, and encourage them to play with the water.
A baby shower might seem like the perfect function to bring your kids to since it's all about the upcoming special delivery, but don't just assume they're welcome. “It's okay only if it's been specified on the invitation or if the host has let you know when you RSVP,” Post advises.