| Author | Message | ||
     Amanda Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Bath support - I am an OT student and on a recent paediatric placement my supervisor issued 2 peices of equipment that parents found really useful for hands-free bathing. The first is a Rifton bath chair (small) which is like a baby rocker chair but is made of strong mesh. It sits in the bath and baby is strapped in. The other peice of equipment is a Burnett bath support. A bean bag type thing made of waterproof material. You put baby in it and then press a pump to remove the air once you've moulded it to baby's shape. It then holds baby nice and snug. The other practical altenative if you are able to manage it, and baby is old enough, is to sit in the bath with the baby between your thighs facing away from you. This acts like an armchair and leaves your hands free to wash baby - but make sure you can get both of you in and out the bath before you try it on your own. It might be better to have someone on standby to hand you the baby once your in the bath, and again to get out (I guess you could always wear a swimming cossie if it's not a close friend!) If in doubt, check with your OT. | ||
| Simone Jill Baker (Simi) New member Username: Simi Post Number: 23 Registered: 03-2005 Rating: N/A |
It's so nice to know that some OT's are providing this kind of support to disabled parents! You wouldn't believe how many enquiries Disabled Parents Network received from OT's who don't seem to have any ideas about equipment for child care, especially bathing. I do believe that in many OT departments they have little to offer us disabled parents. Iam 43 years old, Thalidomide impaired (shortened arms and legs and three fingers on each hand). I have never in my whole life been offered an OT assessment, apart from returning home following major surgery last year. When my daughter was born 9 years ago, I had to find all of my own solutions, and pay for the equipment I made/purchased (adapted cot, £400, breast feeding bean bag cushion £60, etc, etc). I think it's about time someone gave some thought to our needs, which are so crucial to those of us who are keen to care for our own babies/children and not have to rely on partners/families/friends. Simone | ||
| Jane Dorney (Janeuk) New member Username: Janeuk Post Number: 4 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
Here here Simone Jane | ||
| catherine mcfarlane (Katie) New member Username: Katie Post Number: 9 Registered: 03-2007 Rating: N/A |
Hi Amanda I see there is equipment for assisting with washing a baby in the bath, but do you know of anything I could use in a shower, or on it's own? I have a roll-in shower tray (not wet floor!) which I had to replace the bath with as I couldn't get into it, and I am a wheelchair user. Thanks Catherine | ||
| Helen Baker (Helenb) New member Username: Helenb Post Number: 4 Registered: 06-2007 Rating: N/A |
Hi Catherine, Could you use a bath support to hold your baby while you shower him or her? Could you sit on your shower seat, and reach the baby, or maybe have the baby on your lap, while you both shower?I don't know of anything particularly for showers, but we brought our bath seat from Tesco, and used it until our daughter could sit up herself in the bath. Another thought could you put a bath seat in a baby bath, and use it that way. Do you have anyone who can help out. Even with the bath seat, I felt happier bathing Emily when her Dad was able to help. Good Luck Helen x  | ||
| Helen Baker (Helenb) New member Username: Helenb Post Number: 5 Registered: 06-2007 Rating: N/A |
Hi Catherine, Could you use a bath support to hold your baby while you shower him or her? Could you sit on your shower seat, and reach the baby, or maybe have the baby on your lap, while you both shower?I don't know of anything particularly for showers, but we brought our bath seat from Tesco, and used it until our daughter could sit up herself in the bath. Another thought could you put a bath seat in a baby bath, and use it that way. Do you have anyone who can help out. Even with the bath seat, I felt happier bathing Emily when her Dad was able to help. Good Luck Helen x |