Expert answer: Martin N. Simenc, child safety expert
A quick shower becomes a possibility if you follow these practical suggestions:
Start when your baby is sleeping safely in the crib. You can bring the baby monitor into the bathroom with you so you'll know if he or she wakes up.
Of course, it's not always possible to coordinate showers with sleeping times. If you need to wash up while your baby is awake, take him or her with you into the bathroom.
A young baby is often perfectly content to sit in a bouncy chair or a car seat – placed on the floor, not on the counter. A play saucer is another great option for keeping your baby safe and occupied while you shower.
If your baby is at the scooting or crawling stage, you'll have to keep him or her confined to the bathroom by closing the door or putting up a safety gate. Before you do this, of course, you'll have to babyproof the bathroom, which is a place with many potential hazards.
Latch the cabinets securely to keep all cleaning products, cosmetics, toiletries, razors, blow-dryers, curling irons, and jewelry locked away.
Don't overlook the wastebasket: A plastic liner can be a choking and suffocation hazard, and the trash itself may be dangerous. For this reason, it's best to keep wastebaskets out of reach or inside a latched cabinet as well. Make sure the toilet seat lid is latched, too. If you follow these tips, you should be able to enjoy a peaceful – if short – shower.