Bathing 9 Month Old (Bath Tub Question)

If you child is comfortable sitting. You can put a stool inside the bath tub and make him sit on the small step stool. You always need to hold the baby.
This helps the baby not to get skid in the Bath tub.
I tried this today for my 13 month old and it worked good.
A hand shower is good for bathing the baby.

I transitioned my son to a regular bathtub when he was about 5 months old, because we were traveling internationally, and it was too much to take with us. He was already sitting unsupported at the time, and had no problems. I would recommend a non-slip bath mat, though.

I used the inflatable tub from One Step Ahead with both of my daughters when they outgrew the infant tub and loved it! By the time they grew out of that, they were ready for the real tub. It comes with a suction cup so you can hang it on the wall in the tub to dry, it is also great for travel. I highly recommend the inflatable tub, works really well.

Maybe I am in the minority here - but I have been bathing my 8.5 month old in the regular bathtub since he was 7 months old and could sit well. I have to bathe my 2 year old daughter (dob 7/16/07) at the same time often so I put her in first, then the baby, bathe him, get him out- dry and diaper him and let him roll or crawl around till she is done, get her out and dress them both. I wouldn't waste money on something in between a baby bathtub and the normal tub. However, I WOULD get a nonslip pad for the bathtub that has suction cups (believe me, it will get great use as your baby gets older and decides he wants to STAND in the bathtub or starts scooting around in it). Just keep a hand on your baby at all times and make sure you have everything you need right beside you before you start. Good luck!

We used a bath seat with suction cups on the bottom for our child. A friend passed it down to us when they were done with it.

Before you cower in terror that they are death traps, I can assure you that, not for one millisecond did we take our eye off our son while he was in the tub. It worked out wonderfully for us as he was secure in the tub and we did not have to worry about him slipping.

We tried the smaller, inflatable ducky inside the tub but our son was so entirely squirmy and trying to pull up that it became more of a hazard than a help. However, I do know that several people have gone that route with tremendous success and safety.

If your baby is sitting up on his own you can go right to the tub (if not they sell a seat you can put in the tub.) Only put a little water in, never leave is side and for the first few baths you will probably need to keep one hand on him at all times since it can be slippery. Long playtime baths can wait until he is older.
G.

They have a chair that suction cups to the regular tub. So he can be seated in there for his bathes till he gets a little older. That's what I had done with my boys at about 6 months cause they were just way to big for there little bath tub. It works and they love it.

E.,

I would suggest you minimize the amount of stuff and transition straight to the big tub. That being said, make sure you have a faucet cover and a non-skid bath mat. An inflatable cushion that goes around the sides of the bath can't hurt, and if you're not good at judging the proper water temp. yourself, a bath thermometer is a good thing to have.

Best,
R.

Once the child is able to sit up by themself, it is perfectly fine to switch them to a normal tub. Just keep the water level fairly low and never leave their side.

We went straight to the regular bath tub when my daughter was around 8 or 9 months old. We put just a few inches of water in there and always had one hand on her. We've never had any problems. I agree with the other post that you should make sure to get one of those non-slip rubber bath mats though.

Hi E.!

We have an inflatable tub that was given to us as a gift. I LOVE it. My twins are nine months old, and we've been using it since they grew out of the sink tub. What's great about it is that when they start slipping or sliding they don't slam into the hard tub. It's smaller, so there isn't as much room to move around in, which makes bath time much easier. I highly recommend getting one!

we went from the infant bathtub to one of those suction cup seats in the regular bathtub. once he could sit well on his own, we lost the suction cup seat, too - i can't remember when that was, though - maybe at 11 mos? it was very helpful when he didn't sit well, though.

We got the $10 inflatable duck tub too, and our 9 mo old loves it. It fits him relly well now. Only problem is that it's pretty bulky (unless you deflate every time, but who wants to do that!). It's deep enough that he can splash around for awhile, but narrow so we don't have to worry about him falling over. For $10, it's a great short-term solution for us.

Hi E.

I bought the one from one step ahead and my son hated it :-( nothing to support him not that he needed it but he felt safer I guess with something. also it is a pain to keep blowing up and cleaning. I got a nice big plain white tub with a seat type thing (more of a handle that sits between his leds so he feels there is something there) at babies r us it is fantastic it is quite large so it greatfor when we really do put him in the big tub and he has lots of room to play with his toys, nice and easy to clean too :-)

Hope this helps

my little one who is now 14months cahnged to the big tub at 9 months. out of no where she started to hate taken a bath so i put the baby tub in the trash and used the big tub she loves it we just put a few toys and all is well good luck

I used a blow up duck tub that I got at target. it worked perfectly. I'm ready to get another one for my second son who is now 8 months old. i would be afraid to use the regular tub in case he falls over...he isn't sitting up quite sturdy enough yet and the little tub isn't quite as overwhelming of a change. Hope this helps!

I bought a bath chair that attaches, after finding a slippery, wet baby is hard to hold and wash at the same time. Of course, mine hated washing her hair, so that may have made it more necessary.

Since my son stopped fitting in the sink we put him in the ducky bathtub. But he is getting too long for it now, we have a seat that we got from the shower or at a garage sale that we use. We never leave him for even a sec but other wise he likes to walk around the tub.

My son was born October 29. We've been in big tub for two months. I did get a really nice cushy bath mat when we made the switch.

E., most things these days are designed to make money. I wouldn't bother with a second tub. It is not as if you are not going to be there with the baby. Simply use a little water, not enough to cause him to sway back and forth in. You can still use bubbles and put littel toys in the tub.

V.

I've always transitioned from the fold-up tub to a bath ring (the kind with suction cups that attaches to the bottom of the tub). Safety 1st makes a good one--it just makes baby a bit more stable while you wash him.

I went straight to the tub. It was a little uncomfortable to bend over the edge of the tub sometimes, but at least I didn't have to drain and clean out a baby tub. My son loved the added room that the tub provided. He really started to splash and play once he was in the big tub.

Until my son was completely able to comfortably sit up on his own in the bathtub, we used an inflatable duck that we got from Walmart for about $10. He LOVED it, and it was an easy transition from reclining tub to regular tub.

Hello E.
There is a foam pad that you can buy at WalMart that is great for the tub. It is yellow and has the outline of a babies head, shoulders and maybe down to the waist. I only used the baby bathtub for my first 2 children. I found the foam pad and never used a baby tub again. It is easy to use and you just rinse and wring it out when you are done. They are inexpensive so if it rips you can get another one. they only cost about $5.00 My children are 24, 20 and 14 and I now use the foam pad with my granddaughter. For added security I have the mat in the bottom to keep her from slipping and now that she is 2 we no longer use the foam pad unless she just want to play with it in the tub.

Hi E.

My daughter had the same issue. She was in the Eurobath tub until about 11 mos and all of a sudden hated taking a bath. We did get the blow up tub from One Step Ahead. I did not mind blowing it up and i just simply dump the water out of it and spray clean it after each bath. My duaghter is almost 16 mos old and she loves the tub. I think she feels more secure, while I know I do, in the blow up tub rather than the big tub. Hope this helps

Hi! My name is A., and I have a 9 mo. old as well. After she grew out of her baby tub and her travel bathing chair, I got an inflatable ducky tub from Munchkin. They're sold at Babies R Us and Target, and they're only $10 or $11. It's shaped like a great big rubber duckie and the bill actually makes quacking sounds! It's fabulous! I'm really glad I got it - bathtime is so much easier now.
I got this tub because I was scared that she'd fall backwards into the water in the regular home tub - presenting head injury risk and water-in-the-mouth-and-nose risk. It was reasonable enough that I bought my mom one too so she would have it when we visit. Good luck!
A.

Ya know ehat I did was moved them to the kitchen sink. I have 3 kids and did it with all of them. Its just the right size and easy on your back!!!

when my sister was 9 months old she drowned when my mother was giving her a bath. its ok to give a baby a bath in the bathtub BUT DONT LEAVE HIM/HER ALONE!! NOT EVEN FOR A SECOND!!

We used a laundry basket (the kind with holes in the side). It works like a charm!

Hi,

We went right to the regular tub. We got a mat to put in the bottom of the tub (it just attaches with suction cups) to keep our daughter from sliding around in the tub.

I think it depends on your child. Most of my friends went right to the big tub and were fine. My little daughter couldn't stand the big tub and would have crying fits over the bath tub. We got her the inbetween and she was very happy and made for bathtub time to be much more relaxing. Ultimately though, you don't really need it.

I'd bet your baby can sit up independently. Why not make the jump to the big tub (there are quite a few seats that help support him). "Back in the day"....babies were washed in the kitchen sink until they could sit, then, into the big tub they went. They all did fine....I'm sure your's will too!....Just remember, bathing should be fun for you both so ease him into a tub that is already filled with lukewarm water, offer him a couple of toys and enjoy.

I think it's easier to just bathe with them at this age cuz they're so mobile you just wind up chasing them around and pinning them down otherwise. I've been just taking my baby in the big tub with me for months (he's now 10m and I started this at 3m). I also turn the shower on to give us a water park effect and he loves it-- it's also a good way to get the baby used to water on his face for later swimming purposes. Honestly at 9m they're so mobile I'd be afraid to bathe them any other way! My boy would try to climb out and play around if he weren't with me. And this way it's more fun for both of us; there are lots of toys and he feels like he's in a pool!

We used one of those blow up duckie tubs during this phase for both of our kids. In fact, we just started putting our 12 month old in the regular tub in the last few weeks, but only because the ducky had a leak and I didn't want to buy a new one... She slips around A LOT in the big tub... so I would definitely recommend something for in between the infant tub and the big tub...

If he is sitting up fine then just move to the regular tub.
Or the kitchen sink!

I would go straight to the big tub... my daughter did fine and loved it! Save $$ where you can! :-)