Some Bath Supplies

Due to Macayla's progressive condition, she continues to loose trunk and head control. She can no longer sit up on her own and this makes baths impossible in the traditional way. We have started giving her baths in the bed and found some helpful suggestions from some parents and nurses on the pediatric floors. We started using a rinse-free shampoo called Aloe Vesta. It is a cleansing foam in a pump bottle made by ConvaTec. It can be used as a body wash as well. I normally use a spray bottle with warm water in it and dampen Macayla's hair first. Then, following the directions on the bottle, I lather her hair up and then dry the shampoo out of her hair with a washcloth. I have found it helps to use the water bottle to spray water into her hair to really rinse it and prevent any build up of shampoo residue. 

We also use an inflatable basin to wash her hair in the bed. The basin holds the water and has a notched side to fit the neck in while the head rests on a "pillow" in the basin. There is a drain hose attached to drain the water. This basin helps if we want to wash her hair very well and rinse it well.

For quick washing in the bed, we have found a great washcloth made by Medline called Ready Bath. They come in packs of eight and you simply microwave the pack for about 15 seconds depending on the microwave, and you have instant, warm, soapy, rinse-free washcloths. These have been a huge help and there is no dripping water to contend with. It makes bathing less of an ordeal.