Bathing your baby is something you’ll be doing on a regular basis to keep them healthy and fresh. To make it easier on yourself and more comfortable for your baby, you should look for the best baby bath tub. I want to help you learn how to choose a great tub, and to give you a few baby bath tub reviews to show you some of the top brands out there.
Do I really Need to Buy a Bath Tub for My Baby?
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The short answer is yes! You are going to need to give your baby a nap at least once every few days when they are young. Babies are not able to support themselves, stand on slick surfaces, or even rest in a regular tub. To facilitate easy bathing, the best infant bath tub must help you get the job done with little to no trouble.
Bath tubs are necessarily needed, depending on your lifestyle, but they are highly recommended if you will be bathing the baby alone. For toddlers, a tub may not be a necessity at all. Newborns and infants that cannot stand steady on their feet are the ones that will really benefit from a baby bathtub.
Types of Baby Bath Tubs
Before you can buy a baby tub, the very first thing you should know is what kind of options you have for the tub itself. Without features or anything else, there are so many diverse types of baby tubs to choose from! Here is a breakdown of the most common types of tubs you’ll find:
Standard Plastic Baby Bath Tub
The most basic of all baby bath tubs, a plastic tub is simple, lightweight, and easy to use. You just set it inside the bathtub or shower in your home, fill it with water, and give baby a nice bath. It’s not exclusively usable in the shower, and can really be put to use anywhere at all, as long as it’s full of water.
Inside, the plastic will be contoured to support babies that can’t sit on their own yet. Most plastic tubs are built to work for ages 0 – 24 months.
Hammock Baby Bath Tub
Because many young babies need extra support in the bath, hammock tubs are a soft and comfortable way to keep them in place and well supported during a bath. Some hammock attachments can be added to a standard plastic tub, to be used when babies around very young. Hammock tubs are most useful for newborns until they are able to support themselves sitting up. Bath seats or slings are also a type of hammock bath.
Convertible Baby Bath Tub
To keep your little one well seated for longer, convertible tubs are able to switch between a few different positions, depending on what your baby needs at the time. You will have an option for newborn bathing that will easily convert to a larger baby bath for older babies that can support themselves. These tubs are great for parents with multiple small children, since they’re useful from ages 0 – 3 years.
Cushion Bath Tub
Cushion tubs are not technically bathtubs in and of themselves, but are bath accessories for babies. Instead of holding water, they rest on top of the bath water and give your child a smaller, padded area sectioned off from the main bathtub. You can wash your baby more easily and comfortably, although you will need a real bathtub to use the cushion in. Great for ages 0 – 2 years, depending on mobility and size.
Inflatable Baby Tub
Great for travel and flexible bathing, inflatable tubs are simply bathtubs made from an inflatable plastic material. Fill the tub structure with air, then the tub itself with water. Inflatable tubs are no as safe as some other types, especially for younger babies, but they are very easy to store, convenient for travel, and cheap.
Fold Up Tub
Large plastic bath tubs for babies are hard to store. Foldable tubs are smaller, so they can’t be used for toddlers, but they are able to collapse into a much smaller size to store. When you’re traveling or you have only a small closet available, this is a good option.
Luxury Baby Baths
To give your baby the most comfortable bathing experience, a luxury tub has extra features like a fresh water sprayer, spa jets, bubble machines, and soft accessories. These tubs are usually quite heavy and larger to store, but they do give baby a great bath time experience!
Bucket Bath Tubs
Meant to more closely simulate wombs, bucket baths help the baby sit in the tub instead of laying down. It’s an easier way to give a bath to a younger baby that may not be comfortable in a regular baby tub. The main downside is they are not useful for older children and it is harder to reach some areas of your baby to clean.
Best Baby Bath Tub Reviews – Top Recommendations
1. Fisher-Price Whale of a Tub Baby Bathtub
Make bath time with your baby fun and exciting with this cute whale baby bathtub. It has a refreshing tortoise green color that is easy to the eyes. Fisher-Price Whale of a Tub Baby Bathtub is ideal for newborns and babies’ up to 2 years old.
Pros:
- Has a soft foam headrest to protect your baby’s head while bathing
- Equipped with a contoured seat to secure your little one during bath time
- The baby seat is removable, so you can just remove the seat once your baby is already a toddler. This gives your baby more space to move around.
- Has a standard size to fit most adult bathtubs
- This best baby bath tub is also easy to clean.
Cons:
- This is quite difficult to fit in a standard kitchen sink.
- Don’t expect this tub to last longer than 2 years.
2. PRIMO EuroBath Baby Bathtub
A simple plastic tub for bathing, this is a great choice for parents that like the no frills bathing experience for their child. It has two bathing positions, marked by plastic pieces inside the tub, and work well for children ages 0 – 2 years. This is a large tub that fills with a high level of water, and is made from BPA-free, lead-free, and phthalate-free plastic materials.
Pros:
- Made in the USA from high quality materials
- Provides excellent support for newborns and infants alike
- Large bath with lots of space
- Safe design keeps babies from slipping under the water
Cons:
- Tub is a bit large for storage, works best being hung up
See review on Youtube:
3. Blooming Bath – Baby Bath Flower
For a soft, cushioned bath, babies love the blooming bath flower. It’s a super soft, comfortable cushion bath that can be used in the shower or bath tub. The material is made from polyester plush, and it dries out easily after you’re done using it. Smaller babies can use it best, up to 6 months of age.
Pros:
- Fits well in most sinks
- Very soft surface for your baby
- Works inside of large baby bath tubs for extra support
- Easily holds and supports the baby while you bathe them
Cons:
- Not compatible with most larger sinks and tubs
- May slip if it’s immersed in too much water (such as in a tub)
Video overview of the Blooming Bath on Youtube:
4. Munchkin White Hot Inflatable Duck Tub
Shaped like a little yellow duck, this inflatable tub is a fun and practical baby bath for your little one. You can easily place it inside a large tub, and use it to help your baby enjoy bath time. It has a temperature indication patch that will turn white when the water is too hot. The bottom of the tub is textured to help babies stay seated without falling over.
Pros:
- Cute shape and colors
- Easy to travel with and store when deflated
- Temperature indicator helps you keep your baby safe
- Great for kids that can sit up
Cons:
- Not ideal for babies that can’t sit on their own
- May be difficult to inflate manually
Munchkin Safety Duck Tub Review on Youtube:
5. The First Years Sure Comfort Deluxe Newborn to Toddler Tub
This bathtub is a combination of a hammock tub and a plastic baby bathtub. As your child grows, you can adapt it to better suit their support needs. The mesh sling and neck pad are made from mold resistant materials that are easy to wash off after the bath.
Pros:
- Works well for growing children
- Easily holds baby’s head out of the water
- Newborn sling is nicely cushioned
- Fits nicely in kitchen sinks, tubs, and elsewhere in the home
Cons:
- May be difficult to clean all the dents and bumps around the inside
- Sling won’t work for babies that are a bit larger than usual
See more on Youtube:
6. Prince Lionheart washPOD Bath
This is a bucket bath with a supportive outside to hold it steadily upright. It won’t slide around or move until you pick it up and take it somewhere else. Your young baby, even a newborn, will be able to rest gently inside the bucket and have a comfortable bath time.
Pros:
- Feels similar enough to a womb to comfort young babies
- Great for newborns and babies up to around 6 months
- Easy to use anywhere in the house or outside
- Uses less water than a traditional tub
Cons:
- Not suitable for larger babies or those older than around 6 months
- Some babies may not fit well into the tub
See a very fun video on Youtube
7. Summer Infant Warming Waterfall Bath Tub
To help keep clean water circulating around as your baby is bathing, this bathtub has a water fall feature to create a nice flow. An oversized washcloth comes with the tub to help you wash baby and keep them warm as well. It’s a large tub that has plenty of space for growing babies from newborns to toddlers, with a small padded support for young babies.
Pros:
- Waterfall soothes your baby and helps them relax in the bath
- This tub can be used in the main bath tub or on the floor
- Help your baby stay warm in the tub
- Baby can sit up in this tub just fine
Cons:
- Seat may not hold newborns securely without your added support
- Waterfall may have some issues if you use it a lot
Waterfall Baby Bath tub Video on Youtube:
Costzon Baby Bathing Table and Tub
Sometimes, we just love innovative products like this 3-in-1Costzon Baby bathtub. This is a very versatile product that not only serves as a bathtub for baby but also functions as a changing table and diaper organizer.
Isn’t that great?
Costzon Baby Bathing Table and Tub definitely gives you more than what your money’s worth.
Pros:
- This is a 3-in-1 design bathtub that gives comfort to your baby whether during bath time or during the changing of diapers.
- Quite durable actually
- It has a lot of storage space for diapers, bath soaps, and towels. This means that everything you need is actually within reach.
- Included is a non-toxic cushion and safety belt for added security
- With an ergonomic design so that you don’t have to bend your back while bathing your infant
Cons:
- Although the wheels have an outward brake, this still poses danger, especially when the wheels no longer have good traction.
- This can only hold babies up to 1 year old.
Currently unavailable.
Weylan Tec Foldable Baby Bathtub
If you want to secure your baby during bath time, then you really need a tub with a good height. This Foldable Baby Bathtub by Weylan Tec is deep enough that your baby can stand inside the tub.
This is a chest deep bucket type baby bath tub which allows your baby to soak and enjoy bath time even more. In addition, it has a cool toned blue color, which is refreshing to look at.
Pros:
- Can hold more water for soaking since it is a bucket type tub
- This is an excellent bath tub for toddlers.
- The tub is made from premium TPE and PP material, thus making the tub quite flexible.
- It also can withstand hot water bath since the PP or Polypropylene (PP) material is a type of thermoplastic polymer.
- Also has a non-slip surface
Cons:
- This is not ideal for newborns.
- It’s quite difficult to support your baby’s head with this tub. This is why it is best for toddlers only.
Currently unavailable.
Shnuggle Baby Bath Tub Support Seat
Shaped to help newborns and infants bathe more comfortably, this baby bath tub works well for younger children that need a little more help. It has an easy seat and a comfortably back rest and hold your child in the best position while you wash them. You won’t have to use your hands to hold the baby up while they’re using this bath tub.
Pros:
- Takes up less space without sacrificing useful water capacity
- Attractive shape and design
- Comfortable and warming back rest
- Non-slip feet on the bottom to help it stay in place
- You can use this bathtub anywhere
Cons:
- Baby may outgrow the tub quickly
- May be difficult to clean
See Baby Bath from Shnuggle on Youtube
Currently unavailable.
4Moms Baby Bath Tub
Here’s a tub with a unique design to help clean water flow around your baby all the time. The sink or tub tap fills up one side of the bathtub while water drains slowly out of the side of the baby’s main section. This helps to circulate cleaner water, so they can enjoy a nicer bath without dirty water.
Pros:
- Digital thermometer tells you if the water temperature is okay
- Fits in most kitchen sinks
- Comfortable contoured design with soft foam padding
- Great for newborns to around 6 months old
Cons:
- Requires batteries
- Does not accommodate growing babies that want to sit in the tub
You can see 4 Moms Infant Tub Review on Youtube
Currently unavailable.
Puj Tub Foldable Baby Bathtub
This folding baby bath sits nicely in a sink, even smaller sinks, to create a great surface to bathe your baby. Newborns and babies up to about 6 months can easily use this bath without needing you to hold them up the entire time. The plastic materials used to make this tub are mildew resistant and made from safe, BPA-free plastics.
Pros:
- Hangs completely flat for easy storage
- Cradles the baby to help them stay comfortable
- Water overflow valves keep water at a safe level
- Folds to fit the sink exactly
- Foam headrest helps baby stay comfy inside
Cons:
- No faucet protector, baby may swing their arms and hit the faucet accidentally
- Not compatible with larger sinks
Currently unavailable.
Boon Naked Collapsible Baby Bathtub
Another collapsible bathtub on our list, this rounded tub is supportive and comfortable, making it easy for you to bathe young babies and older infants. With the aid of a soft positioning sponge, you won’t even need to hold your newborn with your hands while you’re bathing them. For easy storage, this bath collapses flat and hangs.
Pros:
- Drain plug on the bottom to quickly drain water away
- Very easy to store the bath
- Adaptable to two different positions for smaller and toddlers
- Non-slip bottoms for a sturdy hold on wet surfaces
Cons:
- Cannot fit inside a divided kitchen sink
- Hanging hook may break off easily
Currently unavailable.
Safety 1st Custom Care Modular Bathing Solutions
This is a modular baby bathtub that’s able to switch from a newborn tub to a larger infant and toddler tub easily. It’s made from two pieces put together, with the newborn tub able to rest inside the larger tub or sit independently in a sink. On the back of the newborn tub attachment, a back pad helps to keep yoru baby steady and avoid slipping.
Pros:
- Larger tub works as a freestanding tub to be used anywhere
- Simple clean-up just requires wiping the tub down
- Can be used for toddler until around 30 lbs.
- Foam padding is equally easy to clean and helps baby not to slide around
Cons:
- No textured grip on the bottom to keep baby in place
- Infant attachment takes a little work to get it to stay in place on top of the tub
Currently unavailable.
My Bright Family Luxurious Baby Bathtub
We know that you only want what’s best for your baby. That is why we absolutely agree that you should use the best infant bath tub that is BPA-free.
Since most baby tubs are made from plastic, you must ensure that the plastic material is BPA-free, meaning the tub is free from any synthetic chemicals that might cause harm to your baby.
Pros:
- Has a classic design that is perfect for both baby girls and boys
- The tub has an anti-slip surface and handles.
- It also has a water release handle that serves as an overflow drain.
- A great bathtub for both newborns and toddlers
- Has an extra-large space
Cons:
- This tub hasn’t got any support, so you need to hold your newborn’s head when bathing.
Currently unavailable.
What to Look for When Comparing Tubs
Here are a few of the main characteristics to look at when you’re comparing one baby bath to another:
1. Water Levels
How much water can the tub actually hold? Even if the tub looks big, it may not hold as much water as you’d like. Only those with high enough water levels can be used for larger babies and toddlers.
2. Sink, Tub, or Independent
Depending on the type of bathtub you get for your child, it may be dependent on your having another source of water and a drain already. Some baby baths need to be used in a sink or a bathtub and cannot sit on their own. Independent tubs (or freestanding tubs) can be used anywhere, even outside, to get baby cleaned.
3. Draining Method” icon
Does the tub rely on you tipping it over, or does it have a drain? This is only a matter of convenience, but it can also change how easily you can clean the baby bath. Bottom drains may be convenient, although they can leak over time and make it difficult to maintain a good water level. Tipping the bath over to drain it is the simplest, most universal way.
4. Ease of Storage
Storage space does make a big difference for the tub you want to get. You can’t get a huge tub if you only have a small space to store it. That tub will get in your way every time you turn around! Find a bath tub that can fit your storage needs and won’t become a huge headache for you in the long run.
5. Temperature Gauge
If you’re worried about accidentally hurting your baby, a temperature gauge can help you make sure you get the right water temperature. If it’s too hot, the digital or color sticker gauge will indicate that for you, so you can correct it before putting your baby in!
6. Materials (Non-slip or Not)
Baby tubs are made in a large variety of materials. The most common are plastic and soft cloth, but you can find others as well. Plastic is easy to find and cheap, so you’re likely to run into a lot of options for plastic baby tubs. The inflatable rubber or plastic tubs are also easily available, as well as cloth baby hammock tubs or seats. Make sure that if there is padding, it is made from a fabric or filler that dries quickly.
7. Edges
Sharp or scratching edges on a tub are something you need to be careful about. Look for rounded edges if you want the safest option for your young child.
8. Age Ranges
Each tub will be designed for a specific age range, depending on its size and shape. Tubs for newborns and infants may not be suitable for toddlers, and toddler tubs can be too large for newborns. Some tubs work for the whole age range, although they may not be great for every baby if your child is unusually small or large.
Baby Bath Safety Advice
Bathing is a fun and happy time for you and baby to bond together! But, there can be accidents if you’re not aware of what can go wrong. Pay attention to these safety tips if you want it to be a better experience for both of you:
- Water makes everything slick, even the bottom of the baby tub. Look for slip resistant materials on the bottom, or place something underneath the tub to keep it stationary.
- If you’re using a flotation baby bath, don’t fill the bath water up to full. Baby baths tipping over can lead to drowning, and you will reduce the risk greatly by lowering water levels.
- Check that the materials within baby’s reach, such as cushions, are sturdy and cannot be torn. Small pieces may be chewed to swallowed.
- Bath rings and any type of strings can lead to choking, so it’s best to avoid toys like these in the tub. Choose safe baby toys
- Keep one hand on your baby at all times while they are in the water. Don’t turn your back or leave for even a few seconds, as the risk of drowning is too high for babies.
- Baby skin is much softer than ours, and can be burned easily. Check that the water is warm, but not hot. Some tubs come with temperature gauges to help you get the right temperature.
- Get all of your bathing supplies beforehand, so you don’t have to move away from the tub once you get your baby in the water.
- Save bubble baths for older children, since the mix can irritate your baby’s skin.
- Keep the tub clean between baths to avoid mold and sudsy build-up that might cause harm to your child.
- Be careful washing your baby in a walk in tub or soaking tub, because older toddlers may hurt themselves.
Conclusion
From our list of baby bath tub reviews, I would recommend the PRIMO Eurobath. In my opinion, it’s the best baby bath tub because it’s simple, easy, and effective. It’s a great value for money, since you can use it for a newborn baby all the way up to a large toddler. You may want to use a little padding of your own, like a towel or bath sponge, to keep a newborn in place, but otherwise it’s a solid, highly useful tub.
If yoru main concern is getting a great tub for newborns and smaller infants, the best bathtubs for smaller babies would be the Puj Tub or the Blooming Bath Flower. The bath flower is a great idea for traveling families as well, especially if you can’t carry around a full bath tub.
LINK SOURCES
http://www.fisher-price.com/en_US/parenting-articles/health-and-safety/10-toy-safety-tips
http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/products-bathtubs.html
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