Life
The first time I gave my newborn daughter a bath, I was a hot mess. She cried, I cried, I almost dropped her, and as soon as I took her out of the bath she pooped all over me. After that horrifying experience, I hated giving her baths and she hated getting them. Then my son was born, and I found a ring sling designed to go in the water at a local baby store. I started co-bathing with him, and it was magical.
The first time I co-bathed with my newborn, I had no idea what to expect. To be honest, It never occurred to be that you could bathe with your baby, and I definitely didn't expect to like it. When the sales clerk told me that the sling could be used to co-bathe with baby, I was a bit skeptical about how it would work. I mean, it sounded like an efficient way to get a shower every day, even when someone wasn't around to hold the baby or chase around the toddler, but I honestly thought it would be complicated and difficult.
It turned out to be super easy and, after only one bath session, I was hooked. Baby got a stress-free bath, I got to clean up, and we both got some snuggles and skin-to-skin time. It was way less stressful than giving my daughter baths in the kitchen sink. Come to think of it, there were few things about the "fourth trimester" that were this easy. Seriously.
When my youngest son was born, I decided we'd co-bathe, too. We both love the closeness and bonding, I don't have to stress out about giving a wet, slippery newborn a bath in the sink, and he doesn't get cold, so it's pretty much win-win for everyone.
How Much I Would Enjoy It
I really thought I wouldn't like it, but it feels so comforting and lovely to actually take a damn shower during maternity leave. Wait, scratch that: I mean to snuggle my newborn close, while co-bathing.
Well, maybe a little of both.
How Scary It Would Be
I was a bit intimidated, but once I learned what worked (showering with him in a sling) and what didn't (trying to get into the bath with a newborn without help), it was easy.
That He Would Love It
He actually fell asleep, he was so warm and comfy. So different from how my babies reacted to baths at the hospital or in the traditional baby bathtub.
That He Would Pee On Me
This shouldn't have been a surprise but, well, here we are.
How Easy It Was
Even though it was intimidating, it was a lot easier than I thought it would be, and a lot easier than giving a crying, slippery baby a bath in the sink or a baby bathtub.
That I Wouldn't Be Able To Do My Whole Routine
Yep. I didn't get to deep condition my hair or shave my legs, but it was so nice I didn't seem to mind.
How Slippery Wet Babies Are
Wet babies are so slippery, especially when you are wet and soapy, too. There's a little bit of a learning curve to feeling comfortable co-bathing, but it was so worth the effort.
How Much Time It Would Take
It honestly involved a few more steps than your average bath. Then again, I honestly don't mind that our baths were a little longer than normal, only because, once we got in, we liked it so much.
That I Would Want To Do It Again
I ended up co-bathing with my oldest son in a sling until he was too heavy for me to carry. Then, I still co-bathed with him in a laundry basket in front of me in the bathtub. I plan to do the same with my newborn. It's seriously awesome.
