Is it safe to leave my baby unattended while I take a five-minute shower? (2024)

FAQs

Is it safe to leave my baby unattended while I take a five-minute shower? ›

Although it's best to leave your toddler with someone when you go to take a shower, if you don't have someone around, use your mom-instinct and judgement to see if it's okay to leave them alone. If possible, let your toddler play in the bathroom and keep an eye on them.

In some ways it's safer to leave your baby in his cot, where he is safe and secure, than to take him into the bathroom with you. However, some babies hate to be left, even for a few minutes. In this case, put your baby in a baby seat and bring the seat into the bathroom.

Babies and toddlers

Infants and young children aged 0-3 years old should never be left alone – even for 15 minutes while you pop down the road. This applies not just to leaving them home alone but also in your car while you run into the shops. For more detail, please see our advice on baby and toddler safety.

Try to get in the shower as soon as they're fully asleep, so you don't risk being stuck with shampoo in your hair when they wake up and start crying. (It's fine to let your newborn cry for a few minutes while you rinse off, as long as they're safe. But it can be stressful for you.)

Never leave your baby on a table, chair, counter or other high surface. Don't leave your baby unattended--even for a second. On all trips, no matter how short, infants need to travel restrained in a properly installed car seat.

Babies and young children should never be left unattended in a bath, not even for a second . Here are some bath time tips: Get everything ready ahead of your baby's bath, so you have everything you need to hand. Make sure you always use the hot and cold taps at the same time when you run the bath.

For a newborn, time your solo shower for when they're sleeping if possible. Bring their bassinet or baby bouncer within eyesight of the shower and let the soothing sounds of the shower work in your favor — when your baby is fed, burped, and sleepy, they likely won't even wake up while you get your suds on.

TEN MINUTE RULE

If the baby cries for 10 minutes straight (a break is considered 10 seconds of them not crying), then you go in and reassure them (WITHOUT PICKING THEM UP!) that everything is okay, he's safe, and you're going to be there when he wakes up. Exit the room immediately.

Who Is at Risk for SIDS? Most SIDS deaths happen in babies between 1 and 4 months old, and cases rise during cold weather. Babies might have a higher risk of SIDS if: their mother smoked, drank, or used drugs during pregnancy and after birth.

It's fine to leave your baby in their cot or basket while you go to the bathroom, brush your teeth, or have a quick tidy. In fact, your baby may even be safer there. They may not like being away from you, but they won't come to any harm in their cot if left for just a few minutes .

Is it damaging to leave baby to cry? ›

An infant's development and attachment to their parents is not affected by being left to 'cry it out' and can actually decrease the amount of crying and duration.

The typical amount of time for a baby shower to last is about two hours. That gives your guests plenty of time to eat or snack, chat with the mom-to-be, play games (if you're offering games), and watch the mom-to-be open her gifts.

You should never leave your baby alone in the house, even for very short periods of time. So gardening, stopping by the local market, going to your neighbour's house for a chat or picking your older child from his bus-stop with your baby at home are all no-nos.

Between 4–7 months of age, babies develop a sense of "object permanence." They're realizing that things and people exist even when they're out of sight. Babies learn that when they can't see their caregiver, that means they've gone away.

While there's no set age, most parents don't feel comfortable leaving their baby until after the first four to nine months. Before that, a lot is going on with your baby as they learn their daily routine. You may still be perfecting breastfeeding or working on the bond between you or your partner and the baby.

So, if you don't have a helping hand who can deliver the baby to you, place your baby in their bath seat first, get into the tub and then reach over & pick up the baby from their seat.

Swings and bouncy seats aren't safe to leave your baby unattended in, so only use these when you can supervise them.

Traditionally, baby shower events are hosted by a family member or a close friend of the mother-to-be. But many parents-to-be are moving away from traditional practices, so it's perfectly fine if you want to host (or co-host) your own baby shower. Sometimes, co-workers do the honors of throwing a baby shower.

If left unattended your baby might fall face-flat on the tub and this could lead to water blocking the tiny nostrils and make it difficult for the baby to breathe. Within minutes this could turn fatal. Even if your child is a toddler leaving her alone in the bath tub is not advisable.