When you're ready to get your baby off the counter and into the tub, you don't need an official baby bathtub. You can bathe your baby in a clean dishpan, the tiny plastic basin the hospital gives you to hold your supplies, or even the sink itself.

Whatever type of tub you choose, think of your back when you're positioning it. Having the tub in the sink or up on the counter will be easier to manage than crouching over it on the floor. When you are trying to bathe two kids at once, put the baby tub with its stopper unplugged right inside the big tub — there should be room left for your older child.

Gather up all your supplies while your baby is still dressed. Line the baby tub with something soft (a special-purpose bath sponge or a towel), fill it with only two or three inches of lukewarm water, and test the temperature on the inside of your wrist or elbow. The idea here is that most of your baby's body and all of her face should be well above the water line. You'll keep her warm by layering extra washcloths over her stomach and pouring warm water on them regularly. (This is a great job to give a sibling.)