Baby Bath Tubs: Product Guide & Review of Styles, Features, & Safety
Bath time will quickly become part of your daily (or bedtime) routine with your baby. Here are some things to keep in mind when you want some good, clean, squeaky fun.
STYLES
FEATURES
SAFETY
CRADLE FAVORITES
PLACES TO BUY
STYLES
| | | Infant Bath Seat • Smaller sized bath tubs for newborns.
Basic Tub • These are usually flat on the bottom.
Contoured Tub • Shaped to fit your baby’s body - helps to keep baby from sliding around in the water.
POD • Shaped literally like a bucket, this style has been well liked in Europe for a while and is now gaining popularity in the U.S.
Inflatable Tub • A blow-up tub (often used for travel).
Bath Pad • Soft, cushioned bath pad to place in the adult tub or sink. |
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| | | Reclining
Supports baby in a semi-upright position so the head won’t slip below the water.
Circulating Water
Clean water flows in while dirty water flows out (for use while water is running).
Shower/Water Rinse
A separate unit to help rinse off baby.
Temperature Indicators
A built-in thermometer lets you know if water is too hot or too cold.
Hammock-like Removable Mesh “Cradle”
Keeps baby from moving around too much - best for newborns.
Foam-lined Interior
Helps keep baby from slipping.
Drain
Drain in bottom of tub to let out water.
Foldable
Some tubs fold for easy storage.
Contours to Baby’s Shape
Built-in grooves help fit your baby and avoid slipping.
Non-skid Surface
On the underside of the tub to keep the baby tub itself from slipping or sliding in a regular sized tub. |
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SAFETY
| | | Never leave your baby unattended! Have everything you need (towel, washcloth, shampoo) right at your fingertips.
Be careful not to fill up the tub with too much water.
Test the temperature of the water before putting in baby. Use your hand or elbow (even if the tub comes with a built in thermometer, double check just in case).
At the end of each bath, empty the tub completely. Babies can still drown in just one inch of water.
If using a regular size bathtub, apply adhesives to the bottom of the tub to keep baby from slipping.
Avoid bath seats that you stick to the bottom of a bathtub (via suction cups). According to Consumer Reports, these seats have caused at least 160 injuries since 1983. This type of bath seat can tip over and babies can get trapped under water. Look for the JPMA certification seal. Products with JPMA certification are notated below. Currently JPMA certification is voluntary, although certain safety standards will be mandatory within the next 2 years. If you have any questions about a product's safety, do not hesitate to contact the manufacturer directly. |
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CRADLE FAVORITES
| | | Infant Bath Seat • Smaller sized bath tubs for newborns.
| |  | For newborns up to six
months • Reclining |
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Basic Tub • These are usually flat on the bottom.
| |  | Cleanwater Infant Tub
Circulates water • Temperature
indicators • Drain • Foam-lined
interior • Newborn and up |
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| |  | Sure Comfort Deluxe
Newbor-to-Toddler Tub
Reclining • Drain • Foam-lined
interior • Newborns to toddlers |
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| | | | | | | | | |  | Newborn-to-Toddler Bath
Center and Shower
Temperature indicators • Motorized
shower rinse • Foam-lined interior • Removable mesh cradle • Newborns
to toddlers • Temperature indicator |
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| |  | Aquarium Bath Center
Removable mesh cradle • Foam-lined interior • Interactive toys
(toys double as a cup, water
sprinkler, and thermometer) •
Newborns to toddlers |
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Contoured Tubs • Shaped to fit your baby’s body - helps to keep baby from sliding around in the water.
| |  | EuroBath
Contours to baby’s shape • Newborn
up to three years • Reclining (until
they can sit up) |
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POD • Shaped literally like a bucket, this style has been well liked in Europe for a while and is now gaining popularity in the U.S.
| |  | WashPOD
Holds baby in upright position •
Helps to keep baby warm during
baths • Foam-lined interior |
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Inflatable Tub • A blow-up tub (often used for travel).
| |  | | Bath 'N Bumper |
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| |  | | Secure Transitions Baby Tub |
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Bath Pad • Soft, cushioned bath pad to place in the adult tub or sink.
| |  | | Safer Bather |
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| |  | | Comfort Bath Support |
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