Leaving a toddler in the bath

[onthefly]

I can't remember, but it's been awhile. Maybe 18 months? One of us is always nearby, so if he goes quiet we can check on him right away.

[Isadora]

I leave my 3.5 yr old, but I am always also nearby tidying up etc. She constantly chats away to herself in there, so I am always listening out for that. If she goes quiet I yell out 'are you ok in there' and get back a 'yes mum' hehe. But I never left her before 2.5 yrs.

[Fleur]

Pie is 22 months and I will leave her for a couple of minutes while I go into the bedroom to get her pyjamaas etc ready. It's right next to the bathroom & I can hear her. Like zap, I'm more worried about her slipping & hurting herself. I'm sure I was leaving the other kids alone for 5 -10 minutes at that age.

[tellytubby]

Hey Nat. I leave both my two in the bath together for 5 or so minutes for a play, then come in and scrub them up and get them out. My house is very small, I can clearly hear them both. And as Mel said - whenever DS stands up, DD yells out, "Muuuuuuum!!!! FFEEOOOOOO!!!" lol. My DH doesn't like me doing it either.

[HotI]

I haven't got to that age yet. I am concerned she would turn the tap on and burn herself (in addition to the slipping/drowning....) do you have baby-proofs on your taps?

[Mum2Romone]

Ill only do it to get a towel or a nappy. i can see the bath from my bedroom though so hes never 'out of my sight"

[nattyfred]

I haven't got to that age yet. I am concerned she would turn the tap on and burn herself (in addition to the slipping/drowning....) do you have baby-proofs on your taps?

We have just moved into a house that the hot water is nowhere near hot so no I haven't been concerned about that aspect aside from turning taps off tightly but you make a really good point. Thanks.

[~*Niadalla*~]

I still watch my nearly 4yo and 2yo. We've got a big house. I have left them in there for a few seconds maybe once to duck off and get a towel, but that's it. I think I'd be comfortable leaving my 4yo in there but not my 2yo just yet.

[AndiE]

DS1 was probably nearly 2 when I was sufficiently comfortable to leave him for a minute or so - always within earshot and generally only a room or so away while I was folding clothes, tidying a room etc. Like many others have said ... as long as I can hear them (now I have DS2) I'm happy. I must say though, if I'm not in the room with them I find I'm "on-the-alert" and sensitive to quiet!
I tend to shower the boys now - I'm much more comfy to leave them for a few mins with the shower going - making sure the plug isn't near them or any toys which could also form a plug.

[Feijoa Mum]

I honestly dont remember when I started leaving the older boys by themselves but Scout is nearly 3 and 1/2 and besides maybe sometimes going to grab his jarmies there is always someone in the bathroom with him.

Peppar is a stander so she is never left alone, not even for a second.

DH is alot more strict about leaving Scout than I am and he will get someone in to watch him while he goes to get his jarmies or if he is taking Peppar out. Good I spose but it sucks if im on bath duty cause I always get growled for leaving him.