How to Choose the Best Newborn to Toddler Bath Tub

How to pick the best baby bath tub?

There are many baby bath tub types, shapes and designs out there, but how to pick the one that is best for you?

The criteria below will serve as a guide to assess which product best meet your needs. There may be many other things to consider, but hopefully we’ve captured most important points.

Baby Bath Tub Size

The age and size of your baby will serve you as a guide on baby bath tub sizes and features.

The newborn to toddler bath tubs are the most versatile. Besides, you can give those models longer use.

Check out the best baby bath tubs for Newborn to Toddler, here.

Some models come with a baby bath sling or mesh sling that is removable.

The advantage of buying a baby bath tub with sling is that you can provide a much softer surface for your baby than the hard plastic material.

This is ideal for the first few weeks of life. After that time, simple remove the infant tub sling and bath your baby in the baby bath tub.

If you pick a baby tub with sling, make sure you adjust it so that baby is partially submerged in the water and place a warm towel over his chest. Otherwise, he may be cold.

Newborn bath tubs are generally small and also include a reclining area for infants that don’t sit up right by themselves. These features may be uncomfortable for older children, who can sit up right by themselves and splash  water.

How long are you planning to use the baby bath tub?

This point goes hand in hand with the point above. Try to think long term before you make your choice, as babies grow really fast.

Some infant bath tubs are versatile and offer features for newborn, infant and toddler (like the ones reviewed in the this article).

There are also some baby bath tub models which may make bathing your baby more complicated at the start but once baby can sit up right they work best.

In this regard, if you are planning to use the bath tub for a long time, try to pick one with all the features you need.

Photo by Lars Plougmann (CC BY 2.0)

Once baby outgrows that feature, just put it away and keep going with the same baby bath tub.

From about 2 years old toddlers may transition to the big bath.

The transition may happen earlier depending on your child and your own circumstances.

You may want to assess some bath accessories, such as baby bath seats and transition to a big bath earlier on.

Some parents are keener to shower their babies, which is also a great easy option.

Baby Bath Tub For Small Spaces

The size of the baby bath tub can be a limiting factor for parents. Not only you need to use the tub but also dry it and store it regularly, and you need to have some room to do that.

The size of your home, kitchen or bathroom may be a factor to consider at the time of choosing the style of bathtub for your child.

We have provided all recommended bath tub sizes, for your convenience in our comparative table at the start of the article.

Where are you going to bath your baby?

There are as many options available as space in the house!

Newborn Bath Tub For Sink

Over the kitchen sink is a very popular bath tub option, as you can easily fill it up and drain it without having to lift it (that is, if your baby tub has a drain hole).

Make sure you properly measure your sink and that the baby bath tub you like fits in it, to avoid being disappointed.

Baby Bath Seat for sink

Using an infant sink bath insert is another alternative to bath your baby in the kitchen sink. Where the sink acts as the actual baby bath.

The baby tub for kitchen sink consist of a seat or insert made of a very soft fabric that will create a cushion to cradle your baby while having a bath.

Your baby’s skin will not be in contact with the kitchen sink, which is better for hygienic purposes. 

The flower baby bath tub can also act as a portable baby tub, ideal for parents on the go.

However, baby will stop using this flower once he can sit upright, at approximately 6 months of age.

Bathing Baby in Bath Tub

Placing your baby bath tub inside the big bath is another great option, as it makes filling up the tub and draining it very easy.

Our only recommendation with this is, be mindful of your back. If you are going to bath your little baby in an uncomfortable position, that may end up injuring your back in the long run.

If you go with this option, try to go on your knees and keep your back as straight as possible, never bent. There are some great kneeling pads online to help you be in a more comfortable posture while bathing baby.

Alternatively, get a little side stool to sit comfortably while you bath your child. You will stop holding your child in the water from 6, 7 or 8 months, once they sit up right with confidence.

Standing Baby Bath Tub

A baby bath and stand set is baby bath tub with an integrated stand. This is a clever idea for parents who have space in their homes.

The main advantage of a baby bath tub with stand is that it enables you to bath your baby standing up, protecting your lower back. 

Not only will it allow you to bath your child in a comfortable position, but it will give you the freedom to choose where to bath your baby.

There are also bath tub stands that that can be folded, so if you have a place to store it, this can be a great alternative.

If the stand can fit in your shower area, you will also be able to fill the tub with water and drain it without doing any heavy lifting. If the water tap does not reach the bath tub, you can also bet a hose to help you fill it up.

Remember to place the stand on a flat surface, never place it inside a bath tub or other unsteady surfaces.

As an extra piece of advice, and this is because I use one of these… make sure you have everything you need at hand as you don’t want to leave baby unattended for a split second as there may be a risk of them falling from the tub if super active.

On the kitchen table

I had to use the kitchen table when I was travelling with my newborn and didn’t have room anywhere else to place the baby tub.

The drawback is that you will need to either fill the bath tub with water somewhere else and take it to the table or, fill it up gradually with a jug or bucket.

When you finish bathing your baby, you will need either: drain it in one go if you lift and transport the tub to the sink or toilet or, grab a big jug/ bucket and make a few trips to the kitchen to empty the tub gradually.

The second option (using a jug/ bucket) is always more time consuming, but your back will be grateful.

Good thing about this second option is that you can prevent spilling a large amount of water all over the floor in an failed attempt to drain the tub in one go.

How much water to use?

Depending on the size of the bath tub and the size of your child you may need more or less water to fill it up.

As your child grows you will need less water to fill it up as his body will take more space in the tub. Parents that have a small bath tub and a big child don’t need much water to fill the tub to a nice comfy level.

For this reason it is important to try to plan long term where possible and consider the length of time you will be using this tub for.

If you prefer to use as little water as possible, a small baby bath tub for a big child is a good option. If baby uses the same bath tub all the time, they will not notice if the size is too small.

Baby Bath Tub with Drain Plug 

If you are looking for the cheapest baby bath tub on the market, it is almost a guarantee that it will not feature a draining hole.

If you are on a budget, they may be a good alternative. When your baby is little, you don’t need too much water to fill it up. But as he grows, you will use more water and that means that there are more changes of making a mess trying to empty it up.

Always remember to remove all water from the bath tub to prevent mildew and mold from growing over time.

Drying your Baby Bath Tub Set

This is very much related to the point above.

Drying your tub is super-important to limit the amount of mildew and mold that can grow and accumulate over time.

Some of the top baby bath tubs reviewed in this article come with suction cups and holders to hang the bath tub and aid drying it.

Cleaning your Baby Bath Tub

From time to time you will need to clean your baby’s bath tub.

No matter what brand you pick, it will get dirty,  unless you clean your new baby bath tub very regularly.

When you choose your buy baby bath tub online, consider all the extra parts that come with it: a seat, a holder, a mesh sling for baby bath tub, and any other fixed or removable features.

The more parts, the more you will have to clean, especially if you use all of the features on a regular basis.

If you don’t like the idea of cleaning too many baby bath tub parts, I would recommend you pick the simplest design available.

Baby Bath Time Safety

Never leave baby unattended

Before putting your baby in the water make sure you have everything you need for bath time: soap, shampoo, gels, oils (or whatever you use) plus a towel.

It is dangerous to leave children unattended whilst in the water as there may be a risk of them slipping, falling or drowning

Anti-slip surface

If your selected bath tub does not come with an integrated anti-slip surface, consider getting a No-slip bath mat or some anti-slip stickers to help prevent baby from sliding into the water.

Water temperature

Always check the water temperature before placing baby inside the bath tub.

Make sure that the water temperature is at a safe level
(around 37ºC or 98ºF). Some baby bath tubs come with an integrated thermometer that will indicate the optimal water temperature for baby. For example the inflatable ducky, featured above.

If your bath tub does not come with an integrated thermometer, you may want to consider getting one. They come in different forms and shapes and forms.

If you don’t have a baby thermometer and don’t intend to get one, you can always check the water temperature with your elbow to assess if it is safe for baby.

Never pick up the bath tub with your child inside

This can be very dangerous, no matter how strong Mom or Dad are. Your child should go in the water once you have everything else ready and that you have checked the water temperature (optimal for baby is 37ºC or 98ºF).

Make sure the bath tub is firmly placed over a flat surface, stand or sink

Stability is very important. As your child grows he/ she will be more active in the water and having a stable bath tub will prevent accidents from happening.

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