https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 22:52:50 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-28331 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:56:54 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 28331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Showering I can do ... most days. But drying my hair has become the luxury to end all luxuries, ha!</p> <p>But yes, it just depends on your priorities. I work from home, so if LO is napping, that comes before personal hygiene, unfortunately. And sometimes there are rotting dishes in the sink. Or maybe I want to eat (crazy, I know!) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-20400 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:15:37 +0000 Mama Ek 20400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>agree with all of the above and for me my LO needed to be held all.the.time whether he was awake or sleeping. after 6 weeks I was able to put him in the chair while i showered. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-20368 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:25:31 +0000 Rosie Girl 20368@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always found time for a shower. It made me feel better to clean myself up. I would bring DS and put him in a bouncy chair in the bathroom while I showered. Then I could keep an eye on him, and if he started to fuss or cry, I could talk to him, look at him, etc, while I hurried up. when he got a little bit bigger, he showered with me, which he loved and so did I. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-20343 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:10:04 +0000 brownie 20343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got a shower every single day. I just took my LO in the shower with me. We have one of the extension shower heads so I put him on a towel on the ground and I sat down and showered. It was wonderful. And he isn't scared of the shower. I think he has had like 3 baths at this point in his 7 month life. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-18955 Sun, 20 Nov 2011 20:03:26 +0000 MsMamaBear 18955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was one who laughed too. Then I had baby Bear. I learned REAL quick. You have SO much to do and showering seems to be last when you could do laundry or clean up a room.</p> <p>I also used to laugh at moms who were SO busy.</p> <p>Hmph. Never say never I learned again.LOL </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-18397 Sat, 19 Nov 2011 10:18:53 +0000 autumnlove 18397@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My baby is due next month and we will have lots of family around. I plan on showering since we will have lots of help but I hope I can keep it up when people start leaving and my DH goes back to work! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-18320 Sat, 19 Nov 2011 05:09:12 +0000 mekarual 18320@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was one of those people who didn't understand how people didn't have time to shower, and now that my daughter is 10 weeks, I'm still one of those people. I guess it really just depends on the baby and the Mom's priorities, but I have time for a shower every day. I generally try and get it done after her morning nursing time before we head downstairs for the day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-18276 Sat, 19 Nov 2011 01:18:01 +0000 HelloNifty 18276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm somewhere between Vinice and ChopSuey's responses—we don't shower every day at our house (every other day) and when we needed one (or I needed one, anyway), E just ended up in a bouncy seat or in the shower with me as he got older. We didn't bathe him every day, either. When he was tiny, he got a soap wash once a week or so, even though he may have been in the shower with DH or myself or both of us every other day. </p> <p>The bouncy seat was a life saver for us once he started noticing the toys and stuff. A quick shower while he entertained himself was easily accomplished. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-13176 Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:02:35 +0000 Mrs.anniebo 13176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would say the first month I missed a couple of showers. My daughter had a rough first couple of weeks and I was exhausted, healing, and sleep deprived. Most of the time during the day when she slept she slept for small intervals at a time and most of it was on my chest. When she would sleep in her crib , I would usually pump, try to throw dishes in the dishwasher or clothes in the laundry, use the restroom ( which when you just had a baby, this takes much longer than normal )or take a nap myself. Husband was working 60-70 hours a week, helped when he could, but was also exhausted so I didn't get much relief. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-13173 Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:36:26 +0000 hreichard 13173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always had breaks with Jovani to jump in the shower, eat, clean something around the house and do whatever other little things i had to do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-13152 Thu, 10 Nov 2011 04:36:49 +0000 Red 13152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Reading @Lozza's description reminded me of my first month as a mom - so true. Since I rarely left the house, showering fell pretty low on my priorities, especially since i had limited mobility and needed my husband's help to get in the shower. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-13149 Thu, 10 Nov 2011 03:48:16 +0000 looch 13149@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think we all tend to overthink things. Will you have time for a 30 minute shower, 15 minute mud masque, 15 minute hair drying session without interruptions? Probably not, but it doesn't mean you won't ever see the inside of your shower again. I really believe it's important to take care of yourself, if I don't, it takes more effort to leave the house and that makes me depressed.</p> <p>I shower at night, when my husband is home. I found that time works best for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-13004 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:03:44 +0000 Andrea 13004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it depends on the day. Some days can be really bad so you'll be too tired when you do get a chance to shower. I think most people would choose just to go to sleep rather than shower. You may just have to sneak it in whenever you have a spare moment so the time of day you shower can change daily vs. pre-kids when most people take showers at a consistent time of day. Having said all that, showering is important to me so I always chose to shower! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-12908 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:08:08 +0000 chopsuey 12908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't showered today. Not because I didn't have time.. I just didn't feel like it. :P I personally don't think it's necessary to shower every day esp when you don't go out..<br /> Hair isn't oily, body isn't stinky either. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-12889 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:51:45 +0000 venice4504 12889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I still don't understand how people can't carve out enough time to shower, dry their hair and put on clean clothes and I have a 2 month old. There is more than enough time, you just have to make it a priority. Have I put him in his bouncer on the floor of the bathroom and he's woken up while I'm all wet and started crying? You betcha. But you know what? I got done, he got fed and we're all happy at the end of the day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-12877 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:44:14 +0000 Becksabee 12877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Things definitely get hectic, especially when my little guy starts do cluster feedings. He does nap during the day, but at times, he wakes up pretty quick. Other times, he's out for a while. when I'm by myself, I don't want to take the chance that I'll be in the shower when he wakes up hungry, so I usually shower after my SO gets home from work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-12861 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:24:25 +0000 heffalump 12861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It really depends on the day. Somedays, yes. She's not napping and she's fussy and she's grazing and eating all day long. So no, I don't have time to do anything. I'm lucky if I get to eat something myself. And then by the end of the day when my hubby is home, I don't want to shower. I want to sleep!</p> <p>But on good days she'll go to bed around 7:30, hubby and I will watch some tv, and I'll shower after that. When she was younger (she's 3 1/2 months now) my mom would come over a lot and watch her for me so I could shower. But often I'd opt to do something else instead. Like sleep. Showering just never was my priority. Because I'd rather sleep. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-12836 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:54:46 +0000 mediagirl 12836@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you for the info, I really appreciate it. Since I haven't been there, I don't really get it. I probably really won't get it till mine is born. It's nice to hear your sides of this, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-12829 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:52:55 +0000 Rubies 12829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was TOTALLY the type of person to scoff and say, "Psh, how can you NOT have time to shower?". Then I had a baby. I was LUCKY if I could get a shower every 2 days.</p> <p>Now, with LO being 3 months old, I get my daily shower now but not when I want to (I love morning showers). I take my shower betweene 7-10pm when baby has been fed and hubs is putting her to bed. I often go to bed with wet hair and it sucks. But, it's a shower and I'm not going to complain! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-12799 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:38:24 +0000 Adira 12799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You guys are making me nervous, haha... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-12785 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:31:52 +0000 Mrs. Bee 12785@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>lozza explains it better. you do have short stretches of time, but there's always something to do whether it's napping, eating, cleaning, cooking, blogging, etc. showering then falls lower down the priority list. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-12770 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:19:23 +0000 beesknees 12770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me, sometimes I get a little lazy and think...do I really want to spend all that time blow drying my hair- so maybe I may not hop in the shower at that time.</p> <p>BUT I've found if I put baby in the bathroom in her papasan chair, she loves to be in there while I'm showering. the steam, the sound of the exhaust- it knocks her right out. BONUS! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-12762 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:12:31 +0000 Lozza 12762@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Despite the fact that I totally found this to be true, I don't have a great answer. And I had the exact same question before I had DS. (I was like "seriously? don't babies sleep all the time? I will have so much time during maternity leave! I should, like, learn Spanish. Or knit a sweater.")</p> <p>For me, a big issue was nursing. Newborns are supposed to eat about every two hours. That's two hours from the time you START nursing. And here's the deal- you can spent 30-45 minutes nursing every time. So let's look at a given day, starting at 8 AM. Baby wakes up, wants to eat. You nurse till 8:45, then you do a diaper change, maybe an outfit change, get a drink of water, and now it's 9 AM. You'd like to put the baby down, but baby is fussy, so maybe you try the swing, or the bouncer, or rocking, and let's say you finally manage to put baby down after 20 minutes. Now it's 9:20, and you have 40 minutes left before you're supposed to start feeding again. You could shower, but maybe you'd like to sleep, since, you know, you're exhausted, and you only sleep in 40 minute increments like 5 times a day. Maybe you're hungry (scratch that- you're nursing, so you're totally hungry), so you throw together some food. Maybe you take the trash (which piles up quick with those dirty diapers) out, or you do some laundry (also piles up quick), or check your email. Maybe you go to the bathroom (which also takes longer for those first couple weeks post-baby). Maybe the baby screams every time you try to put him/her down, and you say "screw it, I will just sit here on the couch holding the baby because at least now s/he is quiet, and I will wait here in relative peace doing nothing until s/he wakes up again."</p> <p>I guess my point is that, if you are lucky and can put the baby down, you might get like 12 separate blocks of about 40 minutes each in which to do things other than directly address the baby's needs. And if you spend 8 of them trying to sleep, that only leaves four (or 160 minutes total) blocks of your day when you can eat, pee, put your contacts in, get dressed, feed the dog, do the laundry, read the mail, call your mother, etc. Oh, and if you want to pump to help build up your milk supply, that can take up as much time as you want, but I probably did about 30 minutes/day during those initial weeks. And this is all assuming you never have to leave the house.</p> <p>Re: showering in particular, I think the other issue is that if you finally get Junior to sleep downstairs in his swing, if you are a paranoid new mother like I was who assumed that CPS would come take my kid away if I let him cry for more than the time it took for me to spring 15 yards to pick him up, you may be loathe to leave him there by himself while you're inaccessible in the shower.</p> <p>I feel like for my next baby, I'm just gonna wipe myself down too every time I change a diaper and hope that gets most of the grime off :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-12752 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:05:21 +0000 Mrsbells 12752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think its just hectic and very busy and thats why moms say that but I dont think they mean it literally that they dont shower. I took care of my newphew when he was in the 4-6month old range. And the first few days I was home alone with him, I felt like I Couldnt get time to shower; its the newness of it, and the fact that there can be lots of unexpected things that come up with babies. theres so much laundry, clothes changes, diaper changes, general upkeep of the home... Plus I couldnt figure out where to put him while I showered so I could keep an eye on him </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-12744 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:01:17 +0000 themcmom 12744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, I had several times where I couldn't shower because everyone left and it was Wombat, husband, and me. He went to school and I didn't have anyone to watch Wombat. When I needed to take a shower, I ended up bringing her into the bathroom, laying blanket on the floor, and showering. Once she can walk, that'll make it a lot harder. And if I had 2 or more, I don't think I'd ever get a shower. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-12742 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:00:36 +0000 ohapostrophe 12742@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You definitely have breaks to do *something*.... you get to decide... is that something a shower, a nap, a phone call, blogging... etc... some days I chose shower and some days I didn't :P If showering every day is important to you, you can definitely do it! You might be so tired that you choose to stay in your pjs though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-12740 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:59:32 +0000 Mrs. Bee 12740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>you have to feed your baby every 2-3 hours, and it can take an hour to feed, burp, and change them. if they're fussy, you'll be holding them a lot. by the time you're done with all that, it's time to start the cycle all over again.</p> <p>when they're napping, you'll be so tired from not getting long stretches of sleep that you'll want to nap too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-12736 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:55:41 +0000 cyndistar3 12736@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I showered just fine most of the time. But my LO was pretty calm and I did have people willing to keep an eye on her while I took a shower because she was awake a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/personal-hygiene-after-baby-arrives#post-12730 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:48:53 +0000 mediagirl 12730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>*Please be kind. I'm going to be a first time Mom and have a lot of these, "I don't get it" moments.*</p> <p>So, I was just reading this article on Babble about how you don't get a lot of time for personal hygiene once the baby is born. I understand that the baby eats a lot and needs to be changed and cuddled. I guess I just don't understand how you can't find 10 minutes for a shower.</p> <p>Why is it that Moms say they don't have time to shower when they have an infant? Does the baby never sleep during the day? Are infants always fussing and do you have to watch them every minute of every day? What keeps you from getting yourself clean? Is it exhaustion? </p>