3 Things to Consider with Baby’s First Bathtub
From where to bathe baby to how long you’ll be able to use it, these are the tips we wish we knew before choosing a bathtub.
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Those dreamy visions of a giggling baby splashing around in a bubbly tub? The reality is, in those early weeks, it only takes a few minutes to wash your baby—and you don’t even need to do it every night. (Don’t worry, there will be plenty of tub time fun in the future!). But how do you know which to choose? We’ve partnered with The First Years—who make all kinds of tubs, from simple sling bathers to deluxe spa-like baby baths—to share some pro tips on how to choose the right one for your family. Let’s dive in:
Where do you think you’ll bathe baby?
During the first few months, many parents find it easier to do bathtime in the kitchen, where you can keep your little one at eye level without having to bend down. (This can be especially helpful if you deliver by C-section and have more limited mobility during recovery). Wherever you choose to rub-a-dub-dub, what’s important is placing the tub on a flat, level surface and having access to all of your supplies within arm’s reach of the tub.
Have a large sink? It’s often easiest to place baby’s bather or tub in the sink for bathtime to prevent water from splashing all over your counters and floor. This foldable sling bather can fit right inside and stored in a kitchen cabinet when not in use. (Bonus: it’s also travel-friendly).
Meanwhile, this reclined seat is made with recycled materials. While it takes up a bit more room, it also has a higher weight limit of 20 pounds vs. 15, so you can use it for longer.
For another sink-friendly option, this 3-in-1 tub goes up to 25 pounds, with a handy parent tray that can hold baby’s shampoo, a washcloth and a toy or two, which is helpful if your space is limited.
Do you plan on using your baby bathtub for a while?
While most babies can technically switch to the regular tub around 6 to 8 months old once they've learned to sit without support, plenty of parents find it easier and preferable to ride the proverbial baby bathtub wave as long as they can (we're looking at you, water bill). Most baby bathtubs have a maximum weight that ranges from 15 to 25 pounds. But those 10 extra pounds can mean a huge difference when it comes to babies–we’re talking several months. Getting a convertible tub that can grow with baby from their first bath at home to toddlerhood—like our pick for best affordable bathtub of 2024—can also save you money and prevent no-longer-needed gear from piling up around the house.
Many of these convertible tubs typically come with extra parts like removable infant slings and insert pieces. If you go this route, something to consider is that you’ll typically need to keep track of these attachments if you want to save the tub for a future kid. This new 4-in-1 tub solves that problem though, with a built-in recline that you can adjust as baby grows, sans any removable parts.
If moving your baby into a regular bathtub isn’t in the cards any time soon, a newborn-to-toddler spa bath could be another way to go. Think of it like a mini version of a traditional shower-tub combo, with a battery-powered extendable nozzle that makes it easy to rinse away the suds.
How much storage space do you have?
It’s important to think about what you will do with the tub once bathtime is over. A tub should be completely emptied and dried after each use to prevent mold and mildew buildup. You’ll need a place to do this, whether it means hanging it to dry or storing it in your regular bathtub between uses. If you’d prefer to hang it up, look for a bathtub with a built-in drying hook, like this pop-to-open version that has a small footprint and collapses flat to store.
If you’re short on storage space or don’t want your tub hanging out for everyone to see, shop for one that collapses and folds, like the sling bather we mentioned above, and check that it’s completely dry before you stash it away.
Baby's bathtime can be a fun and meaningful bonding routine. If you're shopping with your tub time preferences in mind, you really can't go wrong, as long as it keeps your kiddo safely in place at every stage, which all of these tubs do. Thinking about the questions above can help you choose one that makes for a more comfortable bathing experience for both of you.
The First Years Bathtubs
This article is sponsored by The First Years. Babylist’s free site, apps and emails are made possible by our sponsors. We limit our sponsored content to relevant partners that offer products and services we believe in and use ourselves.
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