Better alternative to bathing the baby in the kitchen sink????

Buffalo · 01-20-2010, 01:06 AM

My landlady is having a girl next week. I just found out that they will be bathing the baby in the kitchen sink. Obviously, I am not so hot about that idea. Is there a better place to bathe a newborn than the kitchen sink. They have a large container to strap the baby in and it has a plug hole to drain out the water. Their bathroom sink is smallish. The mother-to-be is not crazy about bending over the bathtub side to bathe the baby. Any advice would be gratefully appreciated!!!

Mrs Bucket · 01-20-2010, 07:55 AM

The landlady has the final say in this because it is her baby, after all.

I wonder why you are even posting this as this isn't your baby and you can be viewed as stepping over your boundaries between the landlady and the tenant.

Frisky Feline · 01-20-2010, 08:38 AM

I think it's safer to bathe baby in the kitchen sink as long as the kitchen sink is clean. I did with my newborn babies at first, since my back was sore from being preggy too long.

Lighthouse77 · 01-20-2010, 11:01 AM

women been giving their babies a bath in the kitchen sink for years. This is more common then you think. But as the child get older, she'll eventually have to use the tub.

**Reba** · 01-20-2010, 02:46 PM

A tiny infant doesn't need to be immersed in any kind of sink or tub, just sponge bathed.

A bigger baby can be bathed in a kitchen sink as long as the sink is thoroughly cleaned before and after. The danger in a kitchen sink is the size of the basin and the location of the faucets. There's a significant difference between a single, large porcelain farm sink with goose-neck faucet, and a small, shallow divided sink with a low faucet.

Even when using a regular bath tub, I would suggest using a baby tub within the tub until the child is a toddler. There's no need to fill up a huge tub with water for such a small body. Also, until babies become toddlers and start getting into messy play situations, there's really no reason to "soak" a baby. Too much time in the water just dries out their delicate skin, and babies aren't dirty enough to require soaking and scrubbing. They usually need more frequent "spot" cleaning.

**sallylou** · 01-20-2010, 02:48 PM

My kids loooved playing in the bath rub in a bath ring. Of course, the child has to be old enough to sit up well and under constant supervision. Happy memories of bath times!

LakeTahoe · 01-20-2010, 02:53 PM

For many years mothers bath their child in the sink....I didn't. My oldest love the tub....he hated the baby tub....

with my 2nd he loves his baby tub....

It is her choice what she want to do with her baby.

posts from hell · 01-20-2010, 09:26 PM

o.O

serious. It's alright in the kitchen sink. I preferred myself doing that because of my height.

**KristinaB** · 01-20-2010, 10:11 PM

Both of mine were bathed in the kitchen sink for the first 2-3 months, then we moved to the tub. Daugher had a massive fear of the water and do either hubby or I would get in the tub with her (in bathing suits) and wash her that way. After she reached 3 I did it myself until she was comfortable being the only one in the tub.

**Jiro** · 01-20-2010, 10:44 PM

My brother and I've been bathed in kitchen sink. My close friend bathes his baby in sink too. Pretty much everybody does

**LDNanna** · 01-21-2010, 12:03 AM

1. dirty baby ugh - now what - looks around and sees
2. clean sink
Plug drain with flat style plug. Place towel or soft baby blanket into sink to make more comfy for child. Fill with body temp or luke warmish water to depth of one or two inches. Place your wrist in water or use thermometer to test for safe temp water. Make sure you have every thing needed before beginning bath.
If baby is a boy, dip his feet into the water and point him away from you. If necessary, repeat steps. Enjoy.
If baby is a girl, skip the last step and enjoy.
Kiss clean baby, enjoy baby smell. If boy baby, diaper first.
If this is your first boy baby, you will find out what I am talking about. Experienced mamas and grandmamas will laugh.
Kitchen sinks have been the traditional baby bathing area since sinks were brought indoors.

Buffalo · 01-21-2010, 02:28 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions.

My concern was mainly that I don't want anyone get sick if a bacteria get into our food. I did some research and found that the kitchen sink is full of germs. It is best for the sink to be throughly scrubbed before and after the bath to protect the baby and everyone else. I am using dishes that comes from dishwasher or I can wash my dishes else where. I have to find a way around this problem because of my medical condition.

**Jiro** · 01-21-2010, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffalo

Thanks for all the suggestions.

My concern was mainly that I don't want anyone get sick if a bacteria get into our food. I did some research and found that the kitchen sink is full of germs. It is best for the sink to be throughly scrubbed before and after the bath to protect the baby and everyone else. I am using dishes that comes from dishwasher or I can wash my dishes else where. I have to find a way around this problem because of my medical condition.

well bathtub is full of bacteria too. After all - it's where you walk in filthy, leave less filthy. I would say kitchen sink is still cleaner than bathtub because it's metal and it's much easier to disinfect it. but make sure the disinfectant chemical in kitchen sink is flushed down because the smell & contact will irritate baby.

beside - there's no need to fret over keeping kitchen skin spic-span clean because the baby will be in special tub for sink anyway.

Lighthouse77 · 01-21-2010, 02:47 PM

most people don't even use a sink, they just stick dishes straight to the dishwasher, But I usually put a tablespoon of bleach in my dishwater when I wash dishes. Comet have bleach too. If I was too freaked out from bacteria, I wouldn't even eat from my dishes.

**Beowulf** · 01-21-2010, 02:49 PM

Your landlady? Why doesn't she use her own sink?
Better brush up on landlord/tenant rights.

**Reba** · 01-21-2010, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beowulf

Your landlady? Why doesn't she use her own sink?
Better brush up on landlord/tenant rights.

I hope the baby wasn't also conceived in the renters' bedroom.

Some landladies have lots of nerve, huh?

Babyblue · 01-21-2010, 03:53 PM

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8130/4.5.0.89 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/106)

I bath both of mine in the kitchen sink in the past. As they got older I used the tub.

It is a great backsaver!

**Reba** · 01-21-2010, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

well bathtub is full of bacteria too. After all - it's where you walk in filthy, leave less filthy. I would say kitchen sink is still cleaner than bathtub because it's metal and it's much easier to disinfect it....

Some sinks are stainless steel but some are porcelain or other materials.

**Jiro** · 01-21-2010, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

Some sinks are stainless steel but some are porcelain or other materials.

porcelain kitchen sink? hmmm expensive! You don't see that often around here. Beside - not really good idea to have a porcelain kitchen sink since it will not handle all these clattering abuse.

Either way - kitchen sink is easy to clean and easy on your back! I don't have a baby of my own but I've cleaned my dog and ferret doing this way

**KristinaB** · 01-21-2010, 04:51 PM

Everytime I did the kids - I always bleached ther sink both before and after the kids. I also bleach the bathtubs before and after kids went in. I still (they are 14 & 15) bleach the kitchen sink and the shower (no bathtub) daily. I'm also allergic to bleach. Go figure.

**Reba** · 01-21-2010, 04:52 PM

Guess who?
(Sorry, I had to airbrush the cute tush out but these days one has to be careful.

)

**Jiro** · 01-21-2010, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KristinaB

Everytime I did the kids - I always bleached ther sink both before and after the kids. I also bleach the bathtubs before and after kids went in. I still (they are 14 & 15) bleach the kitchen sink and the shower (no bathtub) daily. I'm also allergic to bleach. Go figure.

instead of bleach, why don't you use vinegar? it does the same job as bleach but it's more environmental-friendly. and plus baking soda.

**Jiro** · 01-21-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

Guess who?
(Sorry, I had to airbrush the cute tush out but these days one has to be careful.

)

lol! good old time. Lot of stuff were in porcelain back then. From what I see in my baby picture, I believe I was bathed in metal sink.

Frisky Feline · 01-21-2010, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reba

Guess who?
(Sorry, I had to airbrush the cute tush out but these days one has to be careful.

)

cute. of course it was you.. like jiro mentioned porcelain.

**shel90** · 01-21-2010, 06:55 PM

My mom has pics of me taking baths in the kitchen sink. I didnt give my children baths in the sink because I never thought about it.

**KristinaB** · 01-21-2010, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

instead of bleach, why don't you use vinegar? it does the same job as bleach but it's more environmental-friendly. and plus baking soda.

Didn't think of it, which doesn't make sense since we use vinegar to mop the floors with. They are tile floors and get mopped daily. Baking soda is perfect for the chrome faucets and the fridge.

rockin'robin · 01-21-2010, 07:16 PM

I don't think a newborn should have a bath until at least 2 weeks old....just a warm sponge bath, (being sure to wash the neck area, and arm pits).

There are baby baths that I would prefer to use than the kitchen sink! Just doesn't seem too sanitary to me! Even tho' you clean it......My Baby would use a baby bath, not the kitchen sink, and would not use the bathtub until he/she was crawling, even then I would sit on the edge of the tub in case he/she slipped.

Also I would use a sprayer to wash the hair, and use tearless shampoo at all times.....Nothing like a clean-smelling baby! Baby powder and lotion!.....Then a warm bottle of milk, and they're off to Dreamland.....

**KristinaB** · 01-21-2010, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockin'robin

I don't think a newborn should have a bath until at least 2 weeks old....just a warm sponge bath, (being sure to wash the neck area, and arm pits).

There are baby baths that I would prefer to use than the kitchen sink! Just doesn't seem too sanitary to me! Even tho' you clean it......My Baby would use a baby bath, not the kitchen sink, and would not use the bathtub until he/she was crawling, even then I would sit on the edge of the tub in case he/she slipped.

Also I would use a sprayer to wash the hair, and use tearless shampoo at all times.....Nothing like a clean-smelling baby! Baby powder and lotion!.....Then a warm bottle of milk, and they're off to Dreamland.....

I always used the baby bathtub in the kitchen sink. Never have put baby on the stainless sink. Daughter couldn't use the baby tub for long since she was so big and never fit in the little ring. She was a "humongo" baby. So was my son.

01-21-2010, 07:30 PM

http://www.gonaturalbaby.com/index.p...ducts_eco_bath

01-21-2010, 07:35 PM

Yeah.. I would agree that this would be wrong.

01-20-2010, 01:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
Buffalo Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,025	Better alternative to bathing the baby in the kitchen sink???? My landlady is having a girl next week. I just found out that they will be bathing the baby in the kitchen sink. Obviously, I am not so hot about that idea. Is there a better place to bathe a newborn than the kitchen sink. They have a large container to strap the baby in and it has a plug hole to drain out the water. Their bathroom sink is smallish. The mother-to-be is not crazy about bending over the bathtub side to bathe the baby. Any advice would be gratefully appreciated!!! __________________ “The problem is not that the (deaf) students do not hear. The problem is that the hearing world does not listen. “- Rev Jesse L. Jackson ( American Civil Rights Activist, Minister)

01-20-2010, 11:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
Lighthouse77 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 4,167	women been giving their babies a bath in the kitchen sink for years. This is more common then you think. But as the child get older, she'll eventually have to use the tub. __________________ Good thing about standards is that there are so many of them to choose from.

01-20-2010, 02:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
sallylou Potterhead and Janeite Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: My own private Idaho Posts: 6,653	My kids loooved playing in the bath rub in a bath ring. Of course, the child has to be old enough to sit up well and under constant supervision. Happy memories of bath times! __________________

01-20-2010, 02:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
LakeTahoe Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lost somewhere in the outer space!! Help me to find my way back home to earth!! Posts: 14,205	For many years mothers bath their child in the sink....I didn't. My oldest love the tub....he hated the baby tub.... with my 2nd he loves his baby tub.... It is her choice what she want to do with her baby. __________________

01-20-2010, 10:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
KristinaB New SDIT Deacon Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Land of the backstroke Posts: 13,855	Both of mine were bathed in the kitchen sink for the first 2-3 months, then we moved to the tub. Daugher had a massive fear of the water and do either hubby or I would get in the tub with her (in bathing suits) and wash her that way. After she reached 3 I did it myself until she was comfortable being the only one in the tub. __________________ Taking life one day at a time.

Today
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01-20-2010, 07:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mrs Bucket Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 3,941	The landlady has the final say in this because it is her baby, after all. I wonder why you are even posting this as this isn't your baby and you can be viewed as stepping over your boundaries between the landlady and the tenant.

01-20-2010, 08:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
Frisky Feline Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 20,542	I think it's safer to bathe baby in the kitchen sink as long as the kitchen sink is clean. I did with my newborn babies at first, since my back was sore from being preggy too long.

01-20-2010, 02:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
Reba Granny Terp Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 39,523	A tiny infant doesn't need to be immersed in any kind of sink or tub, just sponge bathed. A bigger baby can be bathed in a kitchen sink as long as the sink is thoroughly cleaned before and after. The danger in a kitchen sink is the size of the basin and the location of the faucets. There's a significant difference between a single, large porcelain farm sink with goose-neck faucet, and a small, shallow divided sink with a low faucet. Even when using a regular bath tub, I would suggest using a baby tub within the tub until the child is a toddler. There's no need to fill up a huge tub with water for such a small body. Also, until babies become toddlers and start getting into messy play situations, there's really no reason to "soak" a baby. Too much time in the water just dries out their delicate skin, and babies aren't dirty enough to require soaking and scrubbing. They usually need more frequent "spot" cleaning.

01-20-2010, 09:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
posts from hell Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 9,433	o.O serious. It's alright in the kitchen sink. I preferred myself doing that because of my height.

01-20-2010, 10:44 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jiro Aparecium Deletrius Legil Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: The Soprano State Posts: 61,221	My brother and I've been bathed in kitchen sink. My close friend bathes his baby in sink too. Pretty much everybody does __________________ - Don't forget to buy Jiro's Special Edition Sunglasses for $19.95

01-21-2010, 12:03 AM	#11 (permalink)
LDNanna Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 2,696	1. dirty baby ugh - now what - looks around and sees 2. clean sink Plug drain with flat style plug. Place towel or soft baby blanket into sink to make more comfy for child. Fill with body temp or luke warmish water to depth of one or two inches. Place your wrist in water or use thermometer to test for safe temp water. Make sure you have every thing needed before beginning bath. If baby is a boy, dip his feet into the water and point him away from you. If necessary, repeat steps. Enjoy. If baby is a girl, skip the last step and enjoy. Kiss clean baby, enjoy baby smell. If boy baby, diaper first. If this is your first boy baby, you will find out what I am talking about. Experienced mamas and grandmamas will laugh. Kitchen sinks have been the traditional baby bathing area since sinks were brought indoors.

01-21-2010, 02:28 PM	#12 (permalink)
Buffalo Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,025	Thanks for all the suggestions. My concern was mainly that I don't want anyone get sick if a bacteria get into our food. I did some research and found that the kitchen sink is full of germs. It is best for the sink to be throughly scrubbed before and after the bath to protect the baby and everyone else. I am using dishes that comes from dishwasher or I can wash my dishes else where. I have to find a way around this problem because of my medical condition. __________________ “The problem is not that the (deaf) students do not hear. The problem is that the hearing world does not listen. “- Rev Jesse L. Jackson ( American Civil Rights Activist, Minister)

01-21-2010, 02:47 PM	#14 (permalink)
Lighthouse77 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 4,167	most people don't even use a sink, they just stick dishes straight to the dishwasher, But I usually put a tablespoon of bleach in my dishwater when I wash dishes. Comet have bleach too. If I was too freaked out from bacteria, I wouldn't even eat from my dishes. __________________ Good thing about standards is that there are so many of them to choose from.

01-21-2010, 02:49 PM	#15 (permalink)
Beowulf Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 10,516	Your landlady? Why doesn't she use her own sink? Better brush up on landlord/tenant rights.

01-21-2010, 03:53 PM	#17 (permalink)
Babyblue Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 12,034	Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8130/4.5.0.89 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/106) I bath both of mine in the kitchen sink in the past. As they got older I used the tub. It is a great backsaver!

01-21-2010, 04:51 PM	#20 (permalink)
KristinaB New SDIT Deacon Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Land of the backstroke Posts: 13,855	Everytime I did the kids - I always bleached ther sink both before and after the kids. I also bleach the bathtubs before and after kids went in. I still (they are 14 & 15) bleach the kitchen sink and the shower (no bathtub) daily. I'm also allergic to bleach. Go figure. __________________ Taking life one day at a time.

01-21-2010, 06:55 PM	#25 (permalink)
shel90 Audist are not welcome Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: A place where crabs are popular Posts: 40,493 Blog Entries: 3	My mom has pics of me taking baths in the kitchen sink. I didnt give my children baths in the sink because I never thought about it. __________________ "Wine improves with age. The older I get, the better I like it." --- Anonymous

01-21-2010, 07:16 PM	#27 (permalink)
rockin'robin Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 15,659	I don't think a newborn should have a bath until at least 2 weeks old....just a warm sponge bath, (being sure to wash the neck area, and arm pits). There are baby baths that I would prefer to use than the kitchen sink! Just doesn't seem too sanitary to me! Even tho' you clean it......My Baby would use a baby bath, not the kitchen sink, and would not use the bathtub until he/she was crawling, even then I would sit on the edge of the tub in case he/she slipped. Also I would use a sprayer to wash the hair, and use tearless shampoo at all times.....Nothing like a clean-smelling baby! Baby powder and lotion!.....Then a warm bottle of milk, and they're off to Dreamland.....

01-21-2010, 07:30 PM	#29 (permalink)
rockdrummer Guest Posts: n/a	http://www.gonaturalbaby.com/index.p...ducts_eco_bath

01-21-2010, 07:35 PM	#30 (permalink)
rockdrummer Guest Posts: n/a	Yeah.. I would agree that this would be wrong.

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