When/how do you shower when you have the baby on your own?
By Amy
@artemis432 (7474)
Abernathy, Texas
August 17, 2007 1:42am CST
I'm not a single mom but my husband works nights. I have no relatives in this state. I have to wake him up at 1:30 an hour before he leaves for work to shower. If he has to do something - I'm out of luck. It generally works out. And many days, I take my time afterwards so I get a moment to just breathe as I have the baby to myself all day and evening. I adore him but its nice to have a break!
I don't know how single moms do it - the ones who are totally on their own. Are you a single mom if so was or is your baby pretty good about being on his or own in his crib or someplace safe for the time you take a shower? What if you want a long relaxing bath? When he had colic I used to take him in with me and the sound of the water fascinated him or something so he would fall asleep at least he did a few times.
2 people like this
12 responses
@kakemafarm (492)
• United States
17 Aug 07
I will wait until my son, who is two, is taking a nap or after all three of the kids have gone to bed at night. If it's a quick shower just to clean up after working outside (since I'm a farmer, I do this pretty often) I'll put on a video for my son (he loves Baby Einstein!) if my older kids are at school and there isn't anyone to watch him; I feel confident doing this since my "quickie" showers last less than five minutes - later that evening I will take a longer shower or bath to make up for it.
1 person likes this
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
18 Aug 07
Thanks for participating. Smart to break up your showers - shower cause you have to during the day and a long relaxing shower at night.
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
18 Aug 07
Thanks for participating. Smart to break up your showers - shower cause you have to during the day and a long relaxing shower at night.
@PunkyMcPunk (1477)
• Canada
17 Aug 07
I am a single mum and I know what you mean. It is hard sometimes.
A lot of people have already suggested taking your shower at night.
What I did when my son was very young (infant) I would put him in his car seat, give him his bottle, make sure he was clean (no dirty diaper), and take a quick shower. with him sitting in the hall way. I would keep the door wide open and only shut the curtain halfway. I would sing in the shower, usually nursery rhymes and the such so that he could hear me and know that mommy was around.
When he got to be a little older I would lay a blanket out in the hall for him -he was clausterphobic and would NOT go into a playpen- I would keep him amused by playing "peekaboo"...
1 person likes this
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
17 Aug 07
I think Robert is claustrophobic too he scrabbles in a panic at the sides of the playpen. When he was really little I would do that - sometimes it worked sometimes he cried like a fire engine. I sang him his favourite songs and played peek a boo too! He's just about nine months and I wouldn't trust him on his own.
Thanks for participating!
@scarywhitegirl (2766)
• United States
17 Aug 07
I've heard of some mothers taking their babies into the shower with them, and thus washing both themselves and the baby at the same time. Gets two essential tasks out of the way. I would imagine you would almost need a waterproof baby carrier, though, because I know wet babies can be kinda slippery! And you'd definitely need to be careful to keep any harsher soaps and super hot water away from the baby.
@wiccania (3360)
• United States
17 Aug 07
When my son was a baby, I would shower or take a bath when he was asleep. Whether it was a nap or if he was down for the night. I always took the monitor into the bathroom with me, just in case. Now I either shower when he's in bed or he showers with me. Once he starts school, I'll be able to shower after he leaves for school.
1 person likes this
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
18 Aug 07
I live on base and all the monitors we buy - stop working. ITs not the channel or batteries. Oh I can't wait for school!
@peanutjar (5198)
• Canada
17 Aug 07
When my daughter was little,i put her in a car seat in the bathroom on the floor beside me and took my baths/showers that way.Gave her some milk or toys that make rattle noise,etc.It really worked.As she got older i took a bath with her,not a long one,but enough to wash quickly and say i did.Try the car seat thing(strap them in though)and peep at them if you take a shower.
@sillygirlsd (959)
• United States
18 Aug 07
I would put her on her bouncy thing. I would put her righ by the bathroom door when I could see her. After a few months I thought she was old enough to be in the crib while I showered. If she cried I would just hurry up and shower or sometimes step out and check. But she's good now. She is 8months old I put her in the walker and let her roam around the living room. There is nothing she can get into.
@horsesrule (1957)
• United States
17 Aug 07
Yes, showers are pretty much for after the kids are all asleep at night! Baths though, the baby can come in with so that's not a problem usually.
1 person likes this
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
17 Aug 07
I never thought of taking the baby. Prolly not as relaxing - I like baths where you can light candles and read a magazine or an old book. Or just daydream about the next story you want to write...
@mikesgal4ever1999 (732)
• United States
17 Aug 07
I am not a single mom now however like your hubby, mine works nights as well. I usually wait til all my kids are in bed sleeping and then I take my shower. If the baby won't settle down, I let her play in her playpen for a few minutes so I can take one.
This is my second marriage and before this one I was a single mom with 2 kids and I did the same thing then--the baby went to the playpen or crib and played while I showered.
I guess I was lucky--my kids can entertain themselves well. Some days though its a challange. I also have a teenager that lends a hand as well which helps too.
1 person likes this
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
17 Aug 07
My baby can be high needs. Many times perfectly content if I'm nearby or touching him - even my foot resting against him -even if we're doing separate things, but boy, out of sight for too long and he does his fire engine imitation. Which he could win prizes for. Glad base housing has thick walls!
@Nardz13 (5055)
• New Zealand
17 Aug 07
Hi. When my children were babies and my husband would be working, I want to take a shower, so I would make them up a bottle and let them sit up in there prams and drink there bottle, while I was taking a shower with my bathroom door open so I could see them and they could see me... They were fine... But most times, I would take the shower before they woke up...
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
17 Aug 07
Prams used to be huge - I had a big one -- don't think he'd sit in his stroller. Thanks for participating.
@eachen2002 (889)
• United States
18 Aug 07
I know it's hard but maybe you could see if someone around the neighborhood could help out.A friend is always a door away.Just make sure you can trust them.
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
18 Aug 07
I can understand that - although I only have the baby!
