Hellobee Boards Topic: At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?

Hellobee Boards Topic: At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 03 May 2026 13:16:49 +0000 Anagram on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740622 Fri, 26 May 2017 09:09:54 +0000 Anagram 2740622@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We can leave my oldest now for 5 minutes at a time-she'll be 4 in July. The water is only filled to her belly button, so she can lay down completely on her back, and the water does not cover her face (she loves to lay down and pretend to swim). I can leave the girls together for like <30 second bursts. I still follow the belly button rule so the youngest can lay down, BUT I don't trust her to not fall or climb, or drink water or something. But we live in a small condo and their bathroom is right off our kitchen and the stackable washer/dryer are literally right next to the bathroom door, so if I have to restart the dryer, or quickly transfer a load, or grab something from the kitchen, I can do that. Mrs. Blue on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740617 Fri, 26 May 2017 09:07:10 +0000 Mrs. Blue 2740617@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I can't remember exactly how old the twins were, but I think it was around 3/ 3 1/2 that we would leave for a minute or so to go get something, etc. They are pretty rambunctious, so I wouldn't have trusted them to not stand up and slip, etc. Now they're a little over 4 and G is 2 1/2 and we leave all three in the tub for a few minutes at a time (granted, our house isn't huge, so we are always where we can still hear them). snowjewelz on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740616 Fri, 26 May 2017 09:06:20 +0000 snowjewelz 2740616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I have left my 2.5 year old for like 5-10 seconds to run and grab something; I don't trust her enough for longer than that. tlynne on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740611 Fri, 26 May 2017 09:00:28 +0000 tlynne 2740611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We do showers :). But DS1 has had time alone in the shower since 3. Now, at six, he's pretty good at doing it without help. Usually, I check to make sure he's washed out his shampoo/conditioner before he gets out, though. kes18 on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740605 Fri, 26 May 2017 08:57:03 +0000 kes18 2740605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My 3 year old I've stepped out for a minute or two. I won't step out longer than that only because I've caught her trying to stand up on her toys before. I talk to her though. My second will be sitting up soon so planning on finally being able to combine baths in a 3-4 months so I'm sure I will let her play a couple minutes while I dry him off and get him a diaper- as long as I can talk to her and hear her. T.H.O.U. on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740581 Fri, 26 May 2017 08:04:46 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2740581@https://boards.hellobee.com/ It totally depends on the kid! I think my daughter it was close to age 3. My son we have done it here and there around age 2.5 but Ive literally been a few feet away. littlebug on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740575 Fri, 26 May 2017 07:44:20 +0000 littlebug 2740575@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @SweetiePie: Same. That was with D, who never stood in the tub, never laid down unless I was washing him, etc. He would just sit there and play with his toys. I'm not sure I'd be as comfortable at that age with A, who is currently 15 months and stands up CONSTANTLY. Even with me sitting right there, she's already slipped a couple times and nearly cracked her face on the spout once. That girl is gonna age me... :shocked: liz on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740545 Fri, 26 May 2017 05:02:15 +0000 liz 2740545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ around 3-5 years old My Only Sunshine on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740541 Fri, 26 May 2017 04:22:20 +0000 My Only Sunshine 2740541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I leave my 3.5 year old to play in the tub while I dry off and dress the baby. His room is right across the hall from the bathroom. She's usually playing some elaborate pretend mermaid scene so I can hear her talking the whole time. If she's not doing that I ask her to sing songs or count to twenty or something. I basically want her to be talking the whole time because then I know she's ok. Boogs on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740504 Thu, 25 May 2017 22:07:33 +0000 Boogs 2740504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @caterw: @Mrs. Pen: Mine are loud, too. When it was just my oldest and I had to do something for baby really quickly I would also make him sing or tell me a story. Mrs. Pen on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740499 Thu, 25 May 2017 21:52:33 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2740499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Around four years old I started leaving him. But he's so noisy that I feel comfortable with it! If he stops making noise, I ask him to sing me a song 😂 He loves to play in the bath for like 30+ minutes sometimes. Grace on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740485 Thu, 25 May 2017 21:10:58 +0000 Grace 2740485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Huh. I've never left my 3.75 year old alone in the bath. Makes me feel kinda queasy and it's funny because usually I am all about fostering independence. looch on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740363 Thu, 25 May 2017 17:25:11 +0000 looch 2740363@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Alone, I've never done it in 6 years. I was always in the bathroom with him, sometimes not watching him straight on, but at least watching him using the mirror! Everyone has their different comfort levels. caterw on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740360 Thu, 25 May 2017 17:15:21 +0000 caterw 2740360@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I will leave my 3.5 for a couple minutes if I need to change the baby or soothe her back to sleep really quick. She has to talk to me or sing to me while I am out of the room. The kid's room is right across the hall in our small apartment- if it was farther than three steps I would not feel comfortable. Littlebit7 on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740359 Thu, 25 May 2017 17:14:13 +0000 Littlebit7 2740359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Our guest bathroom is quite literally in our kitchen. So I feel fairly comfortable walking to the kitchen (it's 10 ft) as she splashes around in there. She's 26 months. I leave the bathroom for short bursts (say to put her dinner plate away before the cats eat it). But I can more or less see into the bathroom. I guess this is a perk of a small place!?! Boogs on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740343 Thu, 25 May 2017 16:58:45 +0000 Boogs 2740343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Sometimes I'll let my 2 and 6 year old play while I'm a couple steps away finishing up dinner dishes. Finfan on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740339 Thu, 25 May 2017 16:56:01 +0000 Finfan 2740339@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My oldest is almost 5 and we do not leave her alone. She uses the tub in the master bedroom and is in my eyesight always. winniebee on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740336 Thu, 25 May 2017 16:50:58 +0000 winniebee 2740336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I can't really remember, but it was sometime around 4 I think, maybe a little earlier. By then, he could basically swim on his own and also was responsible enough to not flood the bathroom! DS2 I can't leave for a second - I don't think he'd drown but he's crazy in the tub and has been known to throw cups of water out the tub! Purpledaisy on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740333 Thu, 25 May 2017 16:50:25 +0000 Purpledaisy 2740333@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I just started leaving my 4 year old (turned 4 in March) alone. I'm usually just doing chores around the house or taking care of the baby. I check in every 4-5 mins and can usually hear her playing anyways. Freckles on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740328 Thu, 25 May 2017 16:44:12 +0000 Freckles 2740328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I currently allow my 5 year old and 2.5 year old to play in the tub by themselves. I keep the door open and i can hear them. birdofafeather on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740327 Thu, 25 May 2017 16:43:42 +0000 birdofafeather 2740327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ i started around the time DD2 was born, so just before 3. just for a minute while i got DD2 settled or whatever. i usually made her sing me songs. now at 4 and 1.5, i'll step out to put something away, but i come back quickly because our tub is more slippery than our old tub. autumnlove on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740325 Thu, 25 May 2017 16:42:54 +0000 autumnlove 2740325@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Around 3.5 littlejoy on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740323 Thu, 25 May 2017 16:41:03 +0000 littlejoy 2740323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ At nearly 3.5, I can definitely walk away for a few minutes, if needed. I wouldn't just fill the tub and walk away for anymore than 3-5 minutes (and I wouldn't be out of earshot). I'm thinking within a year, she'll totally be able to take a bath by herself. Main issue with her now is that she thinks the entire bathroom needs to be covered in water. :) FancyGem on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740321 Thu, 25 May 2017 16:34:09 +0000 FancyGem 2740321@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My son is 5 and I only leave him alone in there for a moment (to grab a towel). He will try to dive in the tub and jump. I will have to figure out something different once I have lo #2. Hopefully, by then he will stop. Ginabean3 on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740311 Thu, 25 May 2017 16:24:44 +0000 Ginabean3 2740311@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My 4 year old has been staying in the tub by herself since she was 3......I trust her, she usually just sits there and plays with the toys. While she's in there by herself I dry off baby and get her changed in PJs, just in the other room. My 4 year old is so independent and responsible though....she actually runs the water for the bath for her sister and herself as well as lay out pajamas and lotion for everyone lol. youboots on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740309 Thu, 25 May 2017 16:23:58 +0000 youboots 2740309@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Probably later than most. It's a coated stainless claw foot tub really far off the ground and our floor is tile so it would be really unforgiving if she stood and fell. She probably could not get in and out alone until she's 6-7. I would not do it until I know she understands she has to stay seated. I can see the tub from the laundry area so I'll do a little laundry whiles she's in there but she's always in sight at 2.25 years. Foodnerd81 on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740306 Thu, 25 May 2017 16:20:08 +0000 Foodnerd81 2740306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I've been leaving my now 3.5 year old while I get her sister dried off and into PJs for a while- probably since a little over 2.5 years. But in the next room where I can hear her and have her talk to me or sing. I wouldn't leave my 1.5 yo longer than to grab a towel, like 20 seconds. Mrs. Sunshine on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740297 Thu, 25 May 2017 16:14:38 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2740297@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Another who might get some flack but I'll let my 3.5 year old and 2 year old play alone for 2 to 3 minutes at a time. hellobeeboston on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740280 Thu, 25 May 2017 15:51:12 +0000 hellobeeboston 2740280@https://boards.hellobee.com/ We can leave our 4.5 year old in there. We're usually in with him but feel safe leaving the room for a bit, then going back ... water only goes to below his belly button too. travellingbee on "At what age would you allow your child to stay in the bathtub on their own?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/at-what-age-would-you-allow-your-child-to-stay-in-the-bathtub-on-their-own#post-2740279 Thu, 25 May 2017 15:50:41 +0000 travellingbee 2740279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I do let my 4 year old play in the tub while I get little brother into pajamas and diaper in the next room. I can hear him the entire time so I feel comfortable.