Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Baby Bathtub Importance

by Bellus Family Helping New Parents Be Better Parents

Do you really need a baby bathtub?

Not all parents purchase a bathtub for their babies and decide to bathe the little one using the family bathtub or simply on a sink, however, it is very important to keep in mind that a bathtub designed solely for the baby’s bathing needs is highly safe, unlike other alternatives. Since babies can’t hold their heads up, it’s safe to use a bathtub designed to support them easily than an adult-sized bathtub. It is important to note that baby bathtubs also have other built-in safety features such as anti-slip surfaces.

Despite the fact that the baby’s bathtime is also a great bonding time for both, parents and babies, holding the little one and standing under the shower is not only challenging but risky and perilous. Further, taking the baby’s comfort into consideration, babies love water! Hence, giving them a comforting space to splish-splash water and play around a bit will add excitement and fun to the whole bathing process.

Types of Baby Bathtubs in the market:

In-Sink Baby Bathtubs: These baby bathtubs are made from either mesh, foam, or even plastic and are easily collapsible and fittable inside a kitchen or bathroom sink. These require very little storage space because when not in use, the sink inserts can be folded. Besides, a new mom does not have to bend and crouch towards the bathtub while bathing the little one while using in-sink baby bathtubs. She can simply stand straight, insert the tub at a sink that’s convenient to use, and bathe the baby. Further, these types of bathtubs can be used from infancy up until the baby is six months old.

Convertible Baby Bathtubs: These are tubs that grow along with the baby through features like adjustable recline positions and removable infant inserts. These can be utilized from when a newborn is unable to hold its head up to when the baby is old enough to sit upright with minimum supervision.

Basin Baby Bathtubs: These are the most commonly used types of baby bathtubs. These baby tubs are quite roomy and flexible in terms of wherever the mom wants to bathe the baby. These plastic basic baby bathtubs can hence be used on the floor, kitchen, or even in an actual adult’s bathtub depending on its size. Babies up to the age of two years can be bathed in these types of baby bathtubs.

What to look for in Baby’s Bathtub:

Non-Skid Surface: The topmost priority and important feature to look for in a baby bathtub is a surface that is designed to prevent skidding and sliding of the baby. This is highly important to make sure that the tub does not move and cause any damage and harm to the baby while he/she is splashing and wiggling during bath time.
Smooth edges: It is also highly important to look for baby bathtubs that have smooth, round edges so the baby does not get bruised just in case he/she slips.
Portability: Portable features in a baby’s bathtub include being able to use it anywhere, for instance, the bathroom, bedroom, or even kitchen as per the parents’ convenience to bathing the baby. This is important because when the baby is small, it may be convenient to bathe him/her in the kitchen sink, however, as the baby grows, it’ll be time to move him/her to an even larger, and open space such as the bathroom.
Ease of use: An easy to use baby bathtub contains easy to clean features such as a suction cup on the base to drain water easily from within the tub without having to pick up the full tub of water and draining it, bath seats made of mildew-resistant foam, and a soft collapsible/ foldable insert with a hook for ease of storage post and pre-use.

The baby bath essentials required for a smooth baby bath time:

The bath essential requirements for a toddler seem to be quite simple, no lie. All you need is the right tear-free shampoo, sponge and the right amount of splishy-splashy water in the right type of bathtub. However, for a newborn, new parents need to ensure getting the right set of essentials alongside the most easy-to-use convenient baby bathtub, not only for the best bath time of the baby but for the ease of parents themselves too.

Apart from the right type of baby bathtub, the other important baby bath essentials include:

Baby Bath cup: to pour water over the baby’s body.
Baby bath wash
Baby washcloth
Baby hooded towels.

To read in-depth details about the above-mentioned products, their uses, and important features, make sure to read through one of our previous blogposts: Baby Bath Essentials.

How to bath a baby in a baby bathtub:

Fill the tub with warm water. Check the temperature of the water using a baby-bath thermometer to confirm the correct temperature.
The baby-bath tub bathing process is quite simple as you have to place the baby properly on it and repeat the whole face, body, and head washing from the sponge bath process. Sometimes, for your ease, you might carry the baby out of the tub and place him/her on a non-slip mat to wash the body, and then put him/ her back into the bathtub.
Although holding the baby firmly with much effort is not needed in a baby-bath tub, make sure to never leave the baby unattended, not even for a second.
All you then have to do is dry the baby, diaper, and dress him/her with comfy clean clothes.

Some key points to keep in mind about babies and bathtubs:

Although bath toys are cute and are of course a guaranteed method of keeping the babies distracted while having a bath, parents are advised to use them only for babies who are two months and older.
Many bat seats in baby bathtubs have been subjected to recalls since the models do not meet the CPSC standards. It is hence highly advisable for parents to check through this before purchasing a baby bathtub.
As adorable as they look, a baby bathrobe is very unnecessary! It will only make the whole bathing process hectic, filled with unnecessary pieces of extra clothing for a baby who will feel more than happy, warm, and comfortable to simply go from a hooded towel to a PJs after bathing instead of the extra-fancy bathrobe process.
A daily dunk in the baby bathtub isn’t recommended. It is better to give the baby a sponge bath now and then instead of continuously bathing him/her in the baby bathtub. A newborn’s skin is too sensitive for frequent baths, and it is the diaper area that’ll be getting dirty often anyway.