I’m ecstatic to launch our new series, Toddler Tips. With each passing day, I find myself trying to solve some new challenge with raising four toddlers, aka “quaddlers”. They are a cunning lot who inspires a little ingenuity on my part (and George’s) just to manage day to day life. While my ideas are born from being surrounded by four toddlers, I think many of them could be helpful to any parents of little ones.
Dating all the way back to the days of the NICU, I can recall that all four of our children have peed in their bathwater. As soon as their little piggy toes make contact with the water, the flood gates open. When they were tiny infants it didn’t bother me too much. Perhaps because I expected the volume was small, or maybe because they were in the infant tub and got their own fresh water. Once they could sit up, we began pairing them up or even dunking all four in the same water. The thought of bathing in urine, especially someone else’s disgusts me.
While the babies were in the NICU, we bathed them in tiny plastic tubs. It’s incredible that they fit into those things.
We used bath seats like this when they could sit up, but not with the buoyancy of water.
Alas, a four baby dunk.
Then the idea struck! Now, I dress them down to their diapers and stand them in the water for a few seconds before removing the diaper. Before I totally remove the diaper, I peel back the tabs just to make sure they’re done. Voila! No more pee pee in the water (they could tinkle a little more, but this prevents the flood gates at least). I always check for two minor details 1. check the diaper to make sure it’s not soiled 2. don’t let them sit prematurely.
Stay tuned for more toddler tips. There’s good stuff coming because necessity is the mother of invention! If you have any toddler tips of your own, I’d love to hear them. If I try a great one, I’ll feature it and give credit where it’s due. I’m always open to ingenious ideas.
hugs!
Amber
Four to Adore 
Ha Ha. Zak and Reed bathe together and I can’t get Zak to stop drinking the water. I keep telling him Reed is not potty trained and he might be going in the water. One day Zak saw it and that put a stop to his drinking the bath water.
Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2013 16:31:54 +0000 To: linda_l_wilcox@hotmail.com
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Lol! Sydney drinks the water too.
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I would suggest putting them on the potty while you’re filling the tub! If they’re in the habit of peeing when you start a bath, maybe the sound of the running water coupled with the habit of going #1 will help get them used to what a potty is for. My kids never really peed in the bath, but my friend’s pediatrician suggested it for her twin boys and they potty trained realy early because of it. Just a thought!
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Love that tip! Will try it tomorrow night.
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I noticed you have a big bath mat in your tub! What type did you get? I have one with the suction cups on the bottom and it does not stick in my tub 😦 Just seeing if yours is a different kind!
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You’re the second person to ask about this…I think it may be a future toddler tip. I had the same problem as you, the suction cups wouldn’t stick to the texture on our tub floor. I ended up buying two mats and turning them sideways so they suction to the tub walks instead of the floor. Works great!
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[…] me just could not get past the notion of encouraging the babies to drink bath water. Even though I try extremely hard to avoid urine in the water, I know they still pee in the tub. Plus, they are taking a bath because they are smelly, sticky, […]
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Did you see your “Four to Adore” in the Michael’s newspaper circular yesterday?
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I did! My sister works in the Michael’s merchandising department, and got permission to use it.
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I was very excited to see the quads in print, as was my “quintessential daughter,” Carrie. I LOVE the idea of a tea party in the tub. I can’t imagine the quints drinking out of a cup at the table yet either (they are adjusted 16 months), but the tea set/tea party idea is GENIUS. 🙂
What brand/manufacturer of accoutrements are you using? I like their size & bright colors.
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I’m surprised that you noticed the tiny picture :). Treva and leslie did too, they thought the photo was pilfered.
The tea set was a birthday gift from my parents. I don’t remember the brand, but I can ask where they bought it, someplace in cedar hill I’m sure!
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Potty training is some serious business. You read all the books, you learn all the methods, you talk to everyone about the best way to do it. Unfortunately, no matter how much you prepare, potty training can be a crapshoot (no pun intended) since most of the methods are outdated. If you want the newest methods and info on how to potty train, check this out – http://bit.ly/1pI3b0p
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