A Pleasant Ritual

One day I was agonizing on the phone with my good friend and sister-in-law, Heather, that I really wanted to take my morning shower but a fussy baby was preventing me. She suggested I do as she has done with all three of her kids. Have the baby take a shower with me! I had known she does this and knew of the idea but just never did it with Garrett. She gave me some tips on how to go about it and the next day I gave it a try.

It has proved to be a nice, relaxing experience for Tristan and me. Best of all its a good guarantee that I'll get my morning shower and that Tristan gets cleaned. (I find it hard to find time to give him a baby bath!) The first time I took Tristan into the shower he was fussing all morning. I decided to put him into the shower with me first and then crossed my fingers hoping once I put him down he would be calm enough to allow me to finish my shower. I got all the supplies ready and made sure the water was really warm but not scalding. We went into the shower and I braced myself for the initial flaring of the arms the baby would do when the water first him, something Heather warned me would probably happen. He did give a little jump with that first exposure to the water but then he relaxed, molded into my chest and was peaceful and content as I let the water run over him and as I cleaned him with foaming baby shampoo. I suspect that to Tristan, being on my skin with warm water surrounding us reminded him of when he was born. He was born in the water and immediately put on my chest where we stayed for a long time before getting out of the birth tub.

When I was done giving Tristan his shower I put him in his baby seat, covered him up with another towel and a robe for added warmth and continued to take my shower. I didn't hear a peep out of him. He was so calm and relaxed that I thought he fell asleep. He had not. He was just very relaxed in a quiet alert state.

Sometimes I bring Tristan in the shower right away if he is fussy and he will then be calm long enough for me to finish my shower and get at least mostly dressed. At that point I will spend some time gently rubbing lotion on his skin, then diaper and dress him. By then he is usually ready to nurse and hopefully fall asleep.Other times if he is calm first I will take my shower and then bring him in the shower after I'm done. When we are both done I'll put him in his seat and that gives me enough time to get dressed before he gets fussy at which point I'll dress him and take care of him.

Here are some tips for taking a shower with your baby, in case anyone wants to try it!

• You could have your husband hand you the baby and then take the baby when you are done. But if no adult is around to help you it is still simple to do. Take your bouncer\baby seat into the bathroom. Put a towel down on it (this is important to help dry the baby but also in case the baby poops after his shower.) If you are taking your shower first, put the baby in the seat with just a diaper on.
• Once you are ready to put the baby in the shower just pick him up and take off his diaper. Hold him with both hands against your chest and slowly introduce him to the water. He may jump the first time. Then let the water run over him. Use baby shampoo (foaming kind works nice) and your hand to clean his body and hair. Move him around holding in different positions to allow you to wash all over him. If you are anxious you might drop a slippery baby you can try putting a wash cloth between you and the baby for traction. Again, if you are anxious thinking you will drop the baby, the first time you do this have Daddy there in case you need help.
• When done with baby, put him in his baby seat. Put a towel over him. I also quickly dry his head off. I also put a robe on top of the towel as an extra measure to keep Tristan warm.  Then hopefully baby will feel calm and relaxed which will allow you some time to give yourself some much needed attention and care.

*I'm sure taking a bath with your baby would be lovely as well. I personally don't take baths very often so I haven't done it with Tristan yet. I suspect a nice warm bath can be very soothing to baby.