Spanish · B1 · Family moment
One Thing Then Another in Spanish
In this guide, we focus on sequencing daily care routines. By using temporal subordinate clauses starting with 'Después de' (After), you can help your child understand the flow of activities, providing them with a sense of security and predictability.
What you'll learn
- Express the completion of one action before starting another.
- Use 'Después de' with the compound infinitive (haber + participle) to show completed actions.
- Learn vocabulary for baby hygiene, sleep, and physical comfort.
Spanish phrases for one thing then another
Después de que te hayas terminado la leche, te sostengo erguido un ratito.
After you have finished your milk, I hold you upright for a while.
'Te hayas terminado' uses the present perfect subjunctive to show a completed action in a routine.
Después de haber comprobado la temperatura del agua, te meto suavemente en la bañera.
After I have checked the water temperature, I gently lower you into the bath.
'Haber comprobado' is the compound infinitive, used here because the subject (I) reflects both actions.
Después de haberte lavado el pelo, te lo aclaro con cuidado.
After I have washed your hair, I rinse it carefully.
'Aclarar' is used for rinsing soap or shampoo.
Después de haber terminado el baño, te envuelvo en una toalla calentita.
After we have finished your bath, I wrap you in a warm towel.
'Calentita' adds a diminutive suffix to 'caliente' to sound more affectionate.
Después de haberte cambiado el pañal, te pongo el pijama.
After I have changed your nappy, I put your sleepsuit on.
In Spanish, 'pijama' is commonly used for a baby's sleepsuit or onesie.
Después de que te hayas despertado, abrimos las cortinas juntos.
After you have woken up, we open the curtains together.
'Despertado' is the past participle of 'despertar' (to wake up).
Después de haber vuelto a casa del paseo, te quito la chaquetita.
After we have come home from our walk, I take off your little jacket.
'Chaquetita' is the endearing term for a small jacket.
Después de haberte limpiado las encías, nos acurrucamos en la mecedora.
After I have cleaned your gums, we cuddle in the rocking chair.
'Acurrucarse' is a lovely verb for to snuggle or cuddle.
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Bañera
Bathtub
Commonly used for baby baths.
Encías
Gums
Important for oral care before teeth emerge.
Erguido
Upright
Used when holding the baby to burp or digest.
Mecedora
Rocking chair
A nursery staple.
Temporal Clauses with 'Después de'
To describe an action that has been completed before another one starts, Spanish uses two main structures: 1. 'Después de' + Compound Infinitive (haber + participle): Use this when the subject of both actions is the same. 2. 'Después de que' + Present Perfect Subjunctive: Use this when describing a routine or future event where the action must finish first.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Same Subject | Después de haber + participle | Después de haber comido, dormimos. |
| Routine/Subjunctive | Después de que + [Subject] + haya + participle | Después de que te hayas bañado, te vestiré. |
More examples
Después de haber leído el cuento, apagamos la luz.
After we have read the story, we turn off the light.
Uses the compound infinitive 'haber leído'.
Después de que hayamos jugado, hay que recoger los juguetes.
After we have played, we must pick up the toys.
Focuses on the completion of play as a condition for tidying.