Why Does Baby Poop In A Bathtub – 5 Helpful Reasons to Stay Calm and Laugh It Off

It’s a common scene that many parents know all too well: you’re bathing your baby, enjoying the bubbles and splashes, when suddenly… there’s a surprise in the tub! Why does baby poop in a bathtub? It’s a question that many new parents find themselves asking, sometimes with frustration, but often with humor.

While it might seem like an odd or inconvenient habit, it’s quite normal. Babies are still learning about their bodily functions, and the warm water often relaxes their muscles, making it easier for them to go. In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind this phenomenon, and share some fun tips on how to deal with these messy moments. So, if you’ve found yourself scrubbing the tub a little more often than you expected, keep reading – you’re definitely not alone!

Why Does Baby Poop In A Bathtub

Hey mom! You may have asked yourself this question many times. For all I know, your frustration may have tripled since your baby started pooping in the bathtub continuously.

Well, what exactly is the problem? Could it be that you’re doing something wrong or that your child is going through a phase you’re unaware of?

Let’s find out!

1. Your baby feels the most relaxed during bath time

Bath time can be a relaxing experience for your baby, and this can sometimes lead to them pooping in the bathtub. After all, who wouldn’t feel relaxed in warm water filled with bubbles and cute rubber ducks?

Water has a powerful effect on the body’s nervous system, which is why drinking a glass of water can help calm you down when you’re feeling anxious. Your baby is no exception – the relaxing sensation of being in water can affect their anal muscles and lead to a bowel movement.

Furthermore, your baby may not have had an appropriate time during the day to fully relax and let out waste products. Therefore, they may naturally feel more comfortable pooping in the bathtub during their bath time.

2. You’re feeding your baby close to bath time

Babies take less time to digest food than adults, especially when such babies are still feeding on breast milk.

It may be that you feed your baby very close to bath-time, such that your baby’s food quickly digests and the time for excretion coincides with their bath time. 

3. Your baby still needs potty training

If your baby releases poop during bath time, it may be because they have not properly understood the basics of potty training.

If your baby doesn’t know how to give you signals that they have to pee or poo, it may be difficult for you to know when they need to so if they’re in the bathtub.

What Should I Do When My Baby Poops In The Bathtub?

After your baby has dumped a load of poop in the bathtub, your first response may be the freeze response. You may go into “mom shock” especially if it’s your first time seeing your baby poop inside a tub full of water.

So, here’s a string of steps for you to follow when your baby poops in the bathtub:

1. Don’t shout or scream

2. Slowly move your baby away from the poop

Firstly, it’s time to activate your superhero mode, whether it be Supergirl or Captain Marvel. You need to put on your big girl pants and not let fear take over. Your baby can sense your emotions, and if you show fear, they might get upset and start crying, which is the last thing you want when there’s poop in the bathtub.

Therefore, it’s essential to remain calm and collected, like still water. Take deep breaths and act like it’s not a big deal, even though you might feel like screaming on the inside. Remember that your baby looks up to you and takes cues from your behavior, so it’s crucial to keep a poker face and stay cool, calm, and collected.

Your child is in a bathtub of water mixed with poop and maybe bubbles. Clear the bubbles and gently carry your baby away from the poop. It’s very important before your tiny human starts getting funny ideas about the squishy brown lump in the water.

3. Clean your baby

Here comes the somewhat tricky aspect of this whole business. Your baby was supposed to be clean with the aid of the bath you just prepared, but it turned out to be the opposite.

You may need an extra hand here but if you’re the only one, it’s fine. You’ve got this, mama! Look for a source of water nearby that you can use to wash off the poop from your baby’s bottom in the meantime. 

If there’s another bathtub or means with which you can bath your baby, please use it and give your baby the nice bath they deserve. For example, you can wash your baby under the shower.

4. Cleaning time

After your baby is settled nice and comfy, it’s time to get work on the poop in the bathtub. 

Can Poop Go Down The Bathtub Drain?

If your baby has pooped in the bathtub, you may be tempted to simply flush it down the drain. However, before you do that, it’s important to understand that a bathtub drain is primarily designed for water to pass through to the sewage reservoir.

While small particles may pass through the drain without any issue, larger substances like feces can cause blockages in the pipes, leading to sewage backup in your home. Trust me, you don’t want that to happen.

Additionally, the size of the holes in most bathtub drains are not large enough to allow poop to pass through easily, so trying to flush it down may not even work. It’s best to remove the poop manually using a scoop or a paper towel and dispose of it in the toilet. Don’t take any chances with your plumbing!

How Do I Clean A Bathtub Full Of Baby Poop?

We’re moving from cleaning your baby after they have graciously released poop in the bathtub to actually cleaning the bathtub itself.

Here’s where I give a shout-out to all mothers. It’s not easy to take care of a baby because of the stress that comes with fixing and adjusting several things, this being one of them.

First things first, it’s going to be downright irritating. Yeah, you got that right. Many moms like yourself who have gone through this have told funnily unpleasant stories about cleaning bathtubs full of poop. 

So, you’ll need a face mask or nose cover. The point is that you need a protective cover to guard against the overpowering stink of the excreta.

Aside a protective nose cover, you’ll also need the following:

• Hand gloves

• A plastic container

• Bathroom cleaner

• Sponge

• A lot of water

I’ve laid out this process in comprehensive steps. Have fun cleaning!

1. Evacuate your baby’s toys

If any rubber duckies are floatingrf around, you’ll have to get them out of your way so they don’t obstruct your movement. Since they’re in the bathtub, they’re also contaminated and in need of cleaning before your baby makes contact with them again.

You can look for a bowl that is no longer in use, in which you can put all your baby’s toys and keep them for a thorough cleaning after you’re done with the bathtub.

2. Scoop out the poop

The very first thing you have to do is remove all the poop in the water. To do this, you need a plastic container that you’re no longer using. Use this container to scoop the poop from the bathtub and pour it inside the toilet so you can flush it. You can then dispose of the container.

3. Remove the bathtub drain stopper

While having a bath, you would have put the stopper on the drain to allow a body of water to be formed. Now that you have removed the poop, you can remove the stopper and drain all the water out.

4. Scrub that bathtub

You’ll need your bathroom cleaner at this point. Apply a cleaner of your choice to the tub and scrub the bathtub with a sponge. Ensure that you get every area because poop contains germs, which may spread to different areas of the bathtub.

5. Rinse and dry

Use a lot of water to rinse out the cleaner in the bathtub after scrubbing it. Then, leave the bathtub to completely dry.

What Should I Do If Poop Blocks The Bathtub?

So, if you run into a bit of a fix like this, with poop already blocking the bathtub drain and causing such a mess, there are steps you can take especially if you like a DIY (Do It Yourself) task.

• Boil some water. Pour the hot water straight through the bathroom drain. The high degree of the water’s temperature will dissolve whatever poop particles are blocking the bathtub pipes almost immediately.

• If you notice that your work is not quite done, apply ¼ cup of baking soda and a cup of white vinegar right down the drain. When you combine baking soda and vinegar for cleaning, the vinegar chemically works on the baking soda to produce carbon dioxide, water, and sodium acetate.

• Whenever carbon dioxide is in a liquid form, it is very effective for removing stains and will dissolve the particles in the pipes.

• Allow this process to go on for about twenty minutes. You want to allow the chemicals to do an excellent job.

• After you’re done waiting for the specified period, add more hot water down the drain.

• Now, all you have to do is test whether your bathtub is back to work. Note that using this cleaning mixture may not work all the time but it has been proven to be effective in some cases.

How Do I Sanitize A Bathtub?

Besides the compulsory cleaning that comes with the occasion of your baby making a mess in the bathtub, it’s important to disinfect/sanitize your bathtub from time to time to kill germs that are lurking in any area of the bathtub.

You may decide to disinfect your bathtub once in two weeks or a similar routine. Usually, it’s good to keep surfaces clean in one’s house, especially when you have a baby.

If you want to sanitize your bathtub and kill germs, then you can use bleach, vinegar, or even baking soda.

You just have to use a small quantity of either and a relatively larger portion of water to scrub the bathtub surface. Then, rinse and allow to dry.

How Do I Train My Child To Stop Pooping In The Bathtub?

To every challenge, there’s a simple solution out there! In helping your child stop the habit of pooping in the bathtub, there are a few strategies you can employ:

1. Make toilet time enjoyable

You have to make your baby more comfortable with the idea of releasing poop inside the toilet. You may come up with several ideas to make the activity seem like fun to your baby.

2. Feeding time

You may have to back up or extend your feeding time by an hour or more if it’s close to your baby’s bath time. 

3. Continue potty training

Don’t stop teaching your baby what to say when it’s time to go and where to go. Endeavor as a mom to also understand signs your baby may give when they need to poop.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, it’s essential to understand why your baby may poop in the bathtub and be prepared for it. Remember to remain calm and composed when it happens and try to make the experience as stress-free as possible for both you and your baby. You can also take preventive measures such as ensuring your baby has a bowel movement before bath time or using a diaper during bath time.

Additionally, it’s crucial to maintain a clean home, especially the bathtub. Regular cleaning of the bathtub will help prevent bacteria and germs from building up, which can be harmful to your baby’s health. It’s also essential to clean up the poop immediately to prevent it from clogging the drain and causing a bigger problem.

Overall, understanding why your baby poops in the bathtub and taking necessary precautions will help make bath time a pleasant and safe experience for both you and your baby.