Bathtime with twins: What happens when they outgrow the bath seats?
Bathing two little ones can be a lovely part of the day — until they start standing up, slipping over and climbing on top of each other! For parents of twins, bathtime can quickly become a juggling act.
Liv, mum of 14-month-old boy/girl twins, recently asked:
“We tried bathing them together for the first time since they outgrew their bath seats. They both started standing up, fell over each other and on each other, and there were lots of tears! How do you manage bathtime once they’re too big for their seats?”
Here are some ideas from the multiples community to help make bathtime calmer and safer.
🛁 Keep it short and sweet
There’s no need for a long bath every night. If your little ones are full of energy and determined to stand up, a quick wash can be enough. You can always try again tomorrow!
👶 Try bathing separately
It might feel like twice the work, but bathing one child at a time can be a much calmer option when both are wriggly and unsteady. Keep the other child safely occupied nearby with another adult supervising, if available. Never leave a child unattended in or near the bath.
🧸 Make bathtime fun
Bath toys, floating cups and empty plastic containers can provide a welcome distraction. Keep toys simple and age-appropriate, avoiding small parts that could pose a choking risk.
🗣️ Practise your bathtime routine
Simple, repeated phrases such as “bottom down” can help children learn what is expected as their understanding develops. However, toddlers won’t always follow instructions, so don’t rely on them to keep themselves safe.
🧼 Think about the setup
A non-slip bath surface may help reduce slipping, and a soft bath-toy cover designed for your taps can help protect little heads from bumps. Make sure any product is securely fitted and appropriate for your bath. These measures reduce some hazards but cannot make an unsafe bath safe.
💛 Remember, you’re not doing it wrong!
Some families prefer to continue using an appropriate bath seat for support, while others find separate baths work best. Bath seats are not safety devices and never replace hands-on adult supervision. If bathing together becomes stressful, it’s absolutely fine to change your routine.
With two curious toddlers, finding a routine that works for your family is what matters most.
A question for our multiples community: How do you manage bathtime with twins or triplets once they become confident little movers? Share your tried-and-tested tips with other parents!
This article was originally published in NIMBA Noah’s Ark newsletter Issue 309, Jan 2024
