If you’ve had an opportunity to bathe a baby, then you know it’s a far cry from the serene, spa-like experience in baby bathtubs depicted in photos. It can be pretty challenging if you have a mobile toddler on your hands.

One thing that can help is researching the best baby bathtubs and investing in the best for you and your baby. This will keep your munchkin safe and steady. Throw in a couple of bath toys, and you might be able to distract them long enough to finish bathing them.

Not sure which model to buy? We’ve got you covered. In this post, we review the best baby bathtubs and toys to make your selection easy.

Safety tips or baby bathtubs

Did you know that kids can drown in as little as two inches of water? Did you also know that for kids aged between 1 and 4, drowning is one of the leading causes of death?

These statistics show you just how important it is to exercise caution when using a baby bathtub. Here are a few safety tips we recommend:

1. Never leave your baby unattended

Regardless of how old they are, you should never leave your baby in a bathtub by themselves.

Parents make a common mistake to put their trust in the slip-resistant surfaces of bath seats and bathtubs. But here’s the deal: these are merely bathing accessories, and they wouldn’t prevent your child from drowning.

Need to answer a call from your boss or open the front door for the delivery guy? Then gently pick your baby from the tub, wrap them in a towel, and take them with you.

2. Always check the temperature of the water

There’s a reason why they say “as soft as a baby’s bottom.” A baby’s skin is indeed very smooth, but this also makes it highly sensitive to heat.

To protect your baby from scalding, double-check the water temperature in the bathtub before placing them in the water.

The easiest way to do this is the elbow test. Dip your elbow in, and if the water feels hot, then cool it a little more. If it feels warm, you can proceed to the next step. If you don’t trust this approach, you can always purchase a water temperature indicator.

3. Baby proof the bathtub

You should always ensure that a bathtub is a safe place for you and your baby. To baby-proof it, consider installing:

A non-slip bath mat

No matter how careful you are when bathing your baby, slips can happen.

To minimize this risk, you’ll want to invest in a non-slip bath mat. The non-slip mat goes on the bottom of the bathtub, and it helps keep your baby still. On that note, if you have to use a baby bathtub chair, buy one with a non-skid base or one that suctions to the bottom of the tub.

A spout cover

Babies grow up quite fast. Before you know it, their height will be relatively even to that of the water spout. To protect your baby from hitting their head, install a spout cover.

Bathtub organizer

Bathtubs are a safety hazard even when not filled with water. From baby soaps to shampoos and moisturizers, there are various items your baby can get their hands on. To keep them safe, store all those bath supplies in an organizer.

Bath kneeler

So far, we’ve mostly looked at items that enhance your toddler’s safety. However, it’s also important to address your safety needs. If you’re comfortable and relaxed, then your baby will enjoy the experience, too.

In that regard, we recommend investing in a pad for your knees and elbows. The Benicci Bath Kneeler and Elbow Resting Pad is a good case in point. We like that both the kneeler and the pad are made of easy-to-clean materials. Plus, the elbow pad includes handy storage pockets.

Things to consider when choosing baby bathtubs

There are a couple of things you should keep in mind when buying baby bathtubs. These include:

1. Type of bathtub

One of the decisions you’ll need to make entails the type of bathtub to purchase. There are two main designs:

In-sink baby bathtubs: This is not really a bathtub but an insert designed to slip inside or over a kitchen sink. The idea is to create a cozy and safe space for bathing your baby. Most sink inserts are made of foam to provide maximum comfort for your baby. However, you may find some that are made of mesh, cloth, or plastic. The most significant benefit of an in-sink bathtub is that it makes baby baths for newborns super comfortable, especially if you’re washing them while standing. You won’t have to crouch next to a bathroom tub, which puts less strain on your back. When you’re done with it, you can fold it for easy storage.

Basin bathtub: This is a standalone miniature tub designed to sit on the floor, on top of a counter, or in a regular bathroom tub. Most of these tubs come with waterproof slings to accommodate newborns. You can detach those once your baby outgrows them. This makes it possible to use the bathtub for at least the 1st year of their life.

2. Foldability

If you have limited space, consider buying a baby bathtub collapsible unit. As implied by its name, this tub folds into a more compact size, saving you storage space.

A foldable bathtub is also more convenient to carry if you have to travel with your little one.

3. Non-skid surface

The best bathtub newborn unit should also have a non-skid surface on the bottom. This way, you won’t have to worry about it sliding on a regular bathtub or bathroom floor.

4. Temperature indicator

A temperature indicator is another nice feature have on hand. This may take the form of a temperature strip or a drain plug that changes color if the water is too hot for a baby.

If the shower tub for the baby doesn’t have any of these features, we recommend buying a separate temperature indicator.

Reviews of baby bathtubs and bathtub toys

Here’s a list of the best baby bathtubs and bathtime toys on the market.

5 Best baby bathtubs

1. Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Sling ‘n Seat Tub

The Fisher-Price Tub 4 in 1 gets top marks for being the best bathtubs from baby to toddler.

It comes with a soft mesh sling designed specifically for newborns. Next, there’s a reclining “baby stopper” insert.

The Fisher-Price tub also has a sit-me-up support unit, perfect for toddlers who are just learning how to sit. Once you remove these accessories, you get a bathtub spacious enough to accommodate older kids.

2. Blooming Bath Lotus

For moms who prefer a sink insert, you can’t go wrong with the Blooming Bath Lotus. It comes in a gorgeous flower-petal design and an array of beautiful color schemes.

In addition to giving the insert an exceptional look, the flower petals also provide adequate sink coverage. They create a plush seat that’s super comfortable for your little one to sit in. This is thanks to the Minky fabric and polyurethane foam materials used in its construction.

While it’s designed as a sink insert, it’s versatile enough to be used with traditional bathtubs as well.

3. Mommy’s Helper Inflatable Bath Tub

When you travel, do you feel uncomfortable having to bathe your toddler directly in a hotel sink or tub? If so, this model by Mommy’s Helper is considered the best inflatable baby bathtub.

Once inflated, the tub measures 19.5 by 10 by 7.5 inches, giving you plenty of space to work with. To be a little more specific, it’s designed for babies aged 6 months to 2 years.

The inflatable bathtub baby unit can be folded and packed in a purse or a diaper bag!

The saddle horn is another welcome addition to this bathtub. It enhances your baby’s safety by preventing them from sliding down.

4. Boon SOAK 3-Stage Bathtub

One factor you have to be mindful of when bathing your baby is the temperature of the water.

Boon Bathtub simplifies this process for you by equipping its toddler bathtubs with drain plugs that can gauge temperature. If the water temperature is not ideal, the drain changes color, letting you know when to make adjustments.

Like the Fisher-Price Sling and Seat tub, this one also grows with your baby. It has a bump whose position you can adjust depending on your toddler’s size.

The tub back is not only contoured but also has a reclining capability. This enables you to position your baby well so that they’re comfortable during the bathing process.

5. Stokke Flexi Bathtub

Stokke Flexi Bathtub is the best baby bathtub for small spaces. When you’re done bathing your little one, all you have to do is fold and store it away, saving a decent amount of storage space.

This bathtub tips the scales at just 3.26 pounds, which makes it super light. Combine this with its foldable design, and you get the perfect choice for traveling moms.

When it comes to safety, the Stokke bathtub has a non-slip base and a heat-sensitive plug to help you gauge the water temperature.

4 best bathtub toys and accessories

1. CozyBomB Kids Fishing Bath Toys Game

How about an introductory lesson in the art of fishing? The CozyBomB game set comes with 15 different kinds of toy fish, a pole, and a net.

This makes it a suitable toy not just for bath time but also when playing with siblings or friends. All the items come in bright colors, so your baby will find them fascinating right off the bat.

2. MOLUK Plui Rain Cloud Tub Toy

If your baby is the kind who wails any time you want to give them a bath, the Plui Rain Cloud Toy is the perfect way to distract them.

Fill the adorable-looking toy with some water, then hold it upside down, allowing the water to pour out like raindrops. You can even bring the flow to an immediate stop by touching the top hole.

3. Skip Hop Pull & Go Submarine Baby Bath Toy

The Pull and Go submarine is designed with infants in mind. The toy comes in a bright yellow color and is easy enough for small hands to grasp.

We also like that it’s interactive. To get the submarine in motion, all you have to do or train your child to do is to pull the string.

4. Boon Fleet Stacking Boats

You don’t always have to get a sophisticated toy to amuse your baby. Even simple bath toys like this fleet of stacking boats will do.

The 5 boat toys are perfect for stacking, pouring, or counting. They come in an array of bright colors, so they’ll pique your toddler’s interest right away. Plus, they’re made of BPA-free materials, which makes them safe.

Wrap up

Bathing a baby presents a fun bonding opportunity for both the parent and the child. You can sing them your favorite tunes as you marvel at how fast they’re growing. However, bathing can also be a frightening experience when you consider how delicate babies are and the slippery conditions you’re operating in.

To guarantee maximum safety, ensure you always bathe your child in a well-designed baby bathtub. It should have a slip-resistant bottom or bath seat, a sling (handy for holding newborns), and an organizing or storage unit.