April 2007
Baby bathtubs
Forget about the towel-lined sink you were probably bathed in as a baby. Although that's certainly still an option, there
are plenty of portable bathtubs on the market these days that make bath time a whole lot easier--and more fun for both of
you. A baby bathtub provides an appropriately compact place for bathing. It can be placed in a sink, in a regular bathtub,
on a counter or kitchen table, or right on the floor. However, no matter where you bathe your baby, be sure to keep a hand
on her at all times to prevent her from sliding underwater. Babies and baby bathtubs--especially in regular tubs with a nonskid
surface on the bottom--have a way of slipping and sliding.
Many tubs have a removable mesh or fabric inner cradle so a baby can't move around inside too much. Others have a foam-lined contoured interior that allows a baby who can't sit up yet to relax in a semi-upright position. In any case, you'll use a baby bathtub for less time than you may think. At about 6 months, when your baby can sit up, she'll probably be too big to be bathed in an infant tub that sits in the sink. Although there are tubs on the market that are supposedly designed for babies from newborn to toddler or 0 to 25 pounds, she'll probably outgrow this style baby bathtub too, once she's about 9 months old. Then it's time to move your baby to a regular bathtub that contains only a small amount of water.
Bath Basics
Before we get into the specifics of what's on the market, here are a few bath-time tips. For starters, don't worry about giving your baby an official bath right away. Except for sponge baths, bathing doesn't start until the stump of your baby's umbilical cord falls off (between one and three weeks post-delivery). After that, you can give your baby a bath every day if you like, although two to three times a week is better because daily bathing can dry out a baby's tender skin. In addition to the tub, you'll need a soft towel (preferably hooded to cradle your baby's head), a baby washcloth, and baby body wash that doubles as shampoo.
There are a variety of baby bathtubs on the market. Keep in mind that just about any tub you buy will be awkward to use at first, mainly because bathing a wiggly baby--who may dislike temperature changes and being put in water--is awkward and daunting for even the most experienced parent. "When my son was a newborn, we were so nervous about giving him baths that we couldn't really judge if one tub was better or worse than any other," says Amy Yelin from Arlington, Mass., the mother of a now 8-month-old. In other words, at first you'll just want to get the job done--and fast. Expect your baby to protest the first time or two. After that, she will probably grow to enjoy bath time--and so will you. But remember, when your baby is in the bath, you should always have a hand on her.
What's Available
Major brands of baby bathtubs are, in alphabetical order: Evenflo (www.evenflo.com), Fisher-Price (www.fisher-price.com), Juvenile Solutions (www.juvenilesolutions.com), Kel-Gar (www.kelgar.com), Munchkin (www.munchkin.com), Primo (www.primobaby.com), Priva (www.priva-inc.com), Safety 1st (www.safety1st.com), Summer Infant (www.summerinfant.com), and The First Years (www.thefirstyears.com). You'll see basic tubs that are flat on the bottom, tubs with contoured interiors or inserts that help position a baby's head above water, and tubs with supportive, internal nylon mesh slings featuring padded headrests that cradle newborns. You'll also see inserts that don't include a tub; they're little more than a sling that can be used in both a baby tub and a sink to prop your baby up.
You'll also find tubs designed to fit in the sink initially, then convert to a tub that can be placed in a regular bathtub when your baby can sit up. You can even find tubs with many of these features that fold for more compact storage. Bathtubs range from $9.99 to $40.
Bath seats designed to be used in a regular tub by a baby who is able to sit up are available, but we don't recommend them. (See Baby bath seat warning). There are also inflatable tubs that fit inside a regular bathtub to give your baby a padded space to bathe but we don't recommend those either because they can be dangerous.
Recommendations
For a baby 6 months or younger, buy a bathtub that has a contoured design or an internal sling that cradles the baby in the water. A mildew-resistant, padded foam lining is also a plus, although to prevent mildew and soap-scum buildup, you'll still have to clean the tub and dry it after each use. If you're short on space, buy a unit that folds. You can also buy one that doesn't fold and can be stored in your shower (ideally) or a closet.
Don't buy an inflatable bath tub or a bath seat, even if your pediatrician recommends it. (One new mom we know of even tried out a bath seat at the pediatrician's office.) And be consistent and a stickler when it comes to bath time safety. Follow the safety guidelines we outline every time your baby takes a bath.
Many tubs have a removable mesh or fabric inner cradle so a baby can't move around inside too much. Others have a foam-lined contoured interior that allows a baby who can't sit up yet to relax in a semi-upright position. In any case, you'll use a baby bathtub for less time than you may think. At about 6 months, when your baby can sit up, she'll probably be too big to be bathed in an infant tub that sits in the sink. Although there are tubs on the market that are supposedly designed for babies from newborn to toddler or 0 to 25 pounds, she'll probably outgrow this style baby bathtub too, once she's about 9 months old. Then it's time to move your baby to a regular bathtub that contains only a small amount of water.
Bath Basics
Before we get into the specifics of what's on the market, here are a few bath-time tips. For starters, don't worry about giving your baby an official bath right away. Except for sponge baths, bathing doesn't start until the stump of your baby's umbilical cord falls off (between one and three weeks post-delivery). After that, you can give your baby a bath every day if you like, although two to three times a week is better because daily bathing can dry out a baby's tender skin. In addition to the tub, you'll need a soft towel (preferably hooded to cradle your baby's head), a baby washcloth, and baby body wash that doubles as shampoo.
There are a variety of baby bathtubs on the market. Keep in mind that just about any tub you buy will be awkward to use at first, mainly because bathing a wiggly baby--who may dislike temperature changes and being put in water--is awkward and daunting for even the most experienced parent. "When my son was a newborn, we were so nervous about giving him baths that we couldn't really judge if one tub was better or worse than any other," says Amy Yelin from Arlington, Mass., the mother of a now 8-month-old. In other words, at first you'll just want to get the job done--and fast. Expect your baby to protest the first time or two. After that, she will probably grow to enjoy bath time--and so will you. But remember, when your baby is in the bath, you should always have a hand on her.
What's Available
Major brands of baby bathtubs are, in alphabetical order: Evenflo (www.evenflo.com), Fisher-Price (www.fisher-price.com), Juvenile Solutions (www.juvenilesolutions.com), Kel-Gar (www.kelgar.com), Munchkin (www.munchkin.com), Primo (www.primobaby.com), Priva (www.priva-inc.com), Safety 1st (www.safety1st.com), Summer Infant (www.summerinfant.com), and The First Years (www.thefirstyears.com). You'll see basic tubs that are flat on the bottom, tubs with contoured interiors or inserts that help position a baby's head above water, and tubs with supportive, internal nylon mesh slings featuring padded headrests that cradle newborns. You'll also see inserts that don't include a tub; they're little more than a sling that can be used in both a baby tub and a sink to prop your baby up.
You'll also find tubs designed to fit in the sink initially, then convert to a tub that can be placed in a regular bathtub when your baby can sit up. You can even find tubs with many of these features that fold for more compact storage. Bathtubs range from $9.99 to $40.
Bath seats designed to be used in a regular tub by a baby who is able to sit up are available, but we don't recommend them. (See Baby bath seat warning). There are also inflatable tubs that fit inside a regular bathtub to give your baby a padded space to bathe but we don't recommend those either because they can be dangerous.
Recommendations
For a baby 6 months or younger, buy a bathtub that has a contoured design or an internal sling that cradles the baby in the water. A mildew-resistant, padded foam lining is also a plus, although to prevent mildew and soap-scum buildup, you'll still have to clean the tub and dry it after each use. If you're short on space, buy a unit that folds. You can also buy one that doesn't fold and can be stored in your shower (ideally) or a closet.
Don't buy an inflatable bath tub or a bath seat, even if your pediatrician recommends it. (One new mom we know of even tried out a bath seat at the pediatrician's office.) And be consistent and a stickler when it comes to bath time safety. Follow the safety guidelines we outline every time your baby takes a bath.
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MAKING THE MOST OF TUB-TIME FUN |
