Yes, you can shower with your baby, as long as you take the right precautions, of course. Showering together boosts bonding, saves time, and gently introduces your baby to water.
If you're looking to learn everything you need to know about showering with your baby, read on for age guidelines, expert safety advice, practical showering tips, the benefits, the alternatives, and how an AquaBliss shower filter can improve the experience.
Is It Safe to Shower With Your Baby?
When you're mindful of the right precautions, showering with your baby can be as safe and enjoyable as giving them their first bath. Some of the key concerns that you should be considering are:
Slips and falls.
Wet surfaces in showers become hazardous very quickly. Holding a slippery baby increases your risk of falling. It's important to use sturdy non-slip mats and ensure that your feet are planted firmly during the shower. Avoid standing on sudden slick spots.
Water temperature.
They are more sensitive to heat, and while you may enjoy a very hot shower, the water should be lukewarm. You can test this with an elbow or thermometer. And never let the hot water hit the baby directly. Always use a gentler flow.
Soap exposure.
Adult soaps, shampoos, and cleansers often contain harsh chemicals or fragrances that can irritate the sensitive skin of a baby. It's important that when you're showering with your baby, you opt for mild, unscented baby products with natural ingredients.
Grip control.
A soapy baby can easily slip from your hands. It's important to keep showers short, your grip firm, and always support their head and neck, even if they are older. If you have a second adult in the house who can give you a hand, that's preferable.
Pediatric guidance.
Healthcare professionals emphasize that co-showering is safe if done carefully with the proper setup and grip. Many recommend waiting until after the umbilical stump has healed.
For babies born prematurely or with health issues, always consult your pediatrician before you introduce showers. These are the safety concerns that you should address proactively so that you can reduce risk and make every shower time serene and secure.
When Can Your Baby Take a Shower With You?
Knowing the right time your baby can take a shower with you helps to ensure a smoother and safer co-showering experience. Some of the tips you may need include:
- After umbilical healing occurs at two to three weeks, you should always wait until the umbilical stump has fallen off and the area has healed. This will minimise the risk of infection and ease cleaning.
- Good head and neck control. Babies begin to hold their heads and sit upright with support between 4 and 6 months. This is a developmental milestone, so it's not linear, and it makes support in the shower much easier.
- Sitting independently. Once babies can sit up without help between 6 and 12 months, they can engage with the shower more, making the experience playful and less precarious.
Always check in with your paediatrician to confirm your baby's development aligns with these milestones. If there are any concerns in terms of muscle tone, coordination, or health issues, it's always better to consult a professional before shifting to Co showers.
How Often Should You Shower With Your Baby?
Understanding bathing needs can help you to plan your routines more effectively. So, how often should you shower with your baby?
Newborns (0-3 months)
Newborns should be bathed 2 to 4 times a week. Between baths, gentle sponges or wipe downs are helpful to maintain cleanliness.
Post 6 months.
Once solid foods are introduced and the baby becomes more active, baths may need to be more frequent to clean skin and hair thoroughly.
Flexible routines.
You can co-shower as often as your schedule allows, just keep showers brief to avoid skin dryness and chilling. Use gentle cleansers sparingly and enjoy the skin-to-skin contact, which you and your baby can benefit from.
Alternatives for daily hygiene.
Use sponge baths or clothes to cleanse the face, hands, and diaper area on non-shower days. Quick wipes can suffice until the next bathing day. The key is to keep a balance and not overbathe.
You want to keep your baby clean without washing too much because that could strip the natural skin oils.
What Are the Benefits of Showering With Your Baby?
There are so many benefits to showering with your baby, and these include:
- A stronger attachment shared shower time fosters closeness. Skin-to-skin contact has been linked to lower stress levels and greater emotional bonding between parent and baby.
- A soothing sensory environment. The sounds, the warmth, and the water flow create a calming atmosphere for you and your child. It can reduce crying and anxiety, benefiting both the baby and the caregiver. It can also fit seamlessly into bedtime routines.
- It's a time saver. A single shower does double duty, which is ideal for busy parents. You get clean while ensuring your baby is refreshed, too.
- Early water exposure. Early positive experiences with water can ease future bathing anxiety and support later comfort in swimming lessons.
- Reinforced routines. When showers become part of your baby's daily rhythm, they help to establish comforting habits and predictability in daily life.
- Collaborative caregiving. Co-showering allows caregiving partners to share the task, making bathing less burdensome and more joyful.
What Safety Tips Should You Follow?
There are plenty of things to consider when you are keeping your baby safe while showering together. Everything should be prepared, for example, towels, baby soap, and clean clothes.
All of these should be within arm's reach so that when you come out of the shower, you remove distractions and focus entirely on your baby. Installing non-slip mats inside and outside the shower is essential to prevent slipping risks when stepping out or in.
Keeping the water lukewarm is essential; a water thermometer can help you with this. While you're under the water together, maintain one hand on their torso, neck, or head at all times, even if they are older, so that you can avoid having the baby hurt themselves in any way.
When it comes to choosing appropriate products, opt for mild, unscented formulas with natural or hypoallergenic ingredients to protect their skin. When you're done, dry and moisturise quickly so the baby doesn't get too cold or uncomfortable. Keep your phones and electronics away to avoid multitasking or distractions.
You can ensure a calm and controlled experience by implementing all of these things.
What Alternatives Are There to Showering With Your Baby?
While co-showers are nice, they're not always ideal. Some safe alternatives include:
- A baby bathtub. This is a classic and secure option and is designed for infants, providing ideal support for newborns.
- Sink baths. Particularly useful in small homes or apartments, lining the sink with a clean towel and filling it with lukewarm water gives you control and comfort.
- Bath seats. Perfect for the older infants who can sit. These devices support your baby while allowing your hands to help with showering. You should never leave the baby unattended, however.
- Top and tail. Sponge or washcloth baths are very popular, and they are effective and gentle for daily care. After intensive play or eating, these can be refreshed without full immersion.
Can a Shower Filter Improve the Experience?
Absolutely, especially if your baby has delicate skin. Here’s why AquaBliss filters make a difference:
Reducing chlorine and impurities.
City water often contains chlorine, heavy metals, and sediment. These can cause skin dryness, irritation, and dull hair. One of our AquaBliss filters reduces chlorine and other contaminants before they reach your skin.
The water feels softer.
Filtered water promotes a gentler sensation, increasing comfort during showers and reducing dryness.
Less soap is required.
With pure water, shampoo, and soap, lather better so you can use smaller amounts. This reduces chemical exposure on delicate baby skin.
It's better for the environment.
With durable, reusable filters made from high-quality materials, you get long-term cost savings.
Great for sensitive skin conditions.
Babies prone to eczema, dry skin, or sensitivities will benefit the most. Filtered water supports skin hydration and reduces flare-ups. The best part is that AquaBliss filters fit most standard shower heads with no tools needed.
You can head over to the collection page to explore the models and your compatibility with your shower.
Ready for a gentler, purer shower experience?
Create a cozy, safe, and bonding moment with your baby today. Add an AquaBliss filter to your shower and enjoy cleaner, softer water with less chlorine. Explore the full range of shower filters here: AquaBliss Shower Filters and shower smarter - together.
**Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance.
