Smart Shopping: Baby Bathtubs
Getting Started l Types l Features l Brands
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Forget about the towel-lined sink you might have been 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 you and your baby.
GETTING STARTED
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 on the floor. But no matter where you bathe your baby, be sure to keep a hand on her at all times to prevent her from sliding underwater.
Many tubs have a removable mesh or fabric inner cradle so that 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 designed for babies from newborn to toddler or up to 25 pounds, she'll probably outgrow this style of baby bathtub too, when 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
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 shouldn'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 find it necessary, 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 an unscented, hypoallergenic baby body wash that doubles as shampoo.
There is 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 might dislike temperature changes and being put into water -- is awkward and daunting for even the most-experienced parent. In other words, at first you'll just want to get the job done -- and fast. Expect your baby to protest the first couple of times. 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.
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 bathtub or a bath seat, even if your pediatrician recommends it. (One new mom we know of was even offered the chance to try out a bath seat at the pediatrician's office.) Be consistent and a stickler when it comes to bath-time safety.
TYPES
Bathtubs range from $7.99 (for a bath sling) to $40 (for an infant tub -- with a built-in digital thermometer -- that allows "dirty" water to drain and fresh water from the faucet to circulate as baby bathes).
Here are a few types of tubs you'll see on the market:
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Basic
Basic tubs that are flat on the bottom.
Foam lined
Tubs with a foam-lined, contoured interior that allows a baby who can't sit up to relax in a semi-upright position.
Tubs with mesh slings
Tubs with internal nylon mesh support slings featuring padded headrests that cradle newborns.
Inserts
Inserts that don't include a tub -- they're little more than a sling that can be used in a baby tub and a sink to prop your baby up.
Convertible
Tubs designed to fit in the sink, and then convert to a tub that can be placed in a regular bathtub when your baby can sit up.
Large
Tubs that are designed to fit in a regular tub from the start.
Foldable
Tubs with many of the above features that fold for more compact storage.
Inflatable
There are also inflatable tubs that fit inside a regular bathtub to give your baby a padded space to bathe in, but we don't recommend them because they can be dangerous. Parents might put them into a regular bathtub with water in it. The inflatable tub can then float and tip, spilling the baby.
Bath seats
These are designed to be used us a regular tub by a baby who is able to sit up. We do not recommend them. The seats present safety issues and can induce a false sense of security, leading parents to think that they can turn their back on the baby for a short time.
FEATURES
If you buy a baby bathtub, you probably will use it for less time than you might think. With that in mind, you might want to keep it simple. Here are some baby-bathtub features to consider.
Contoured design with padded lining
In lieu of a sling, a contoured design is a must for keeping a baby from sliding around too much.
A drain with an attached plug
This can make the tub easier to empty. A large drain plug allows for quicker post-bath cleanup.
Temperature indicator
Some bathtub models have a temperature indicator -- a drain plug or a temperature strip changes color when the water is too hot for a baby. In our tests, we found these features to be impractical. It's too difficult to keep track of a temperature strip or the shade of a plug when you're bathing a baby. Don't bother with these high-tech extras when you're shopping.
Even with a temperature indicator, it's best to double-check the temperature by testing the water with your elbow before putting your baby into the tub or rinsing him off; it should feel comfortably warm. Your elbow is more sensitive than your hand, so it will give you a better sense of whether the water temperature is in a good range for your baby's sensitive skin.
Convertibility
Many tubs are made to last from newborn to toddler. Some models include a hammock-like padded infant cradle that you take out when your baby can sit up unassisted. Another is molded to support a baby under both arms; a crotch post keeps babies from slipping forward in the water. With this model, babies can be bathed in a reclining position from birth to 6 months. Then, from 6 to 24 months, they sit upright facing the other direction; the older-baby end of the tub has fewer infrastructures and more wiggle room. A convertible tub, though, probably won't last as long as manufacturers claim. As we mentioned, a convertible tub will probably buy you three additional months or so, but not much more.
Foldability
Some tubs fold in half for easy storage or travel. The downside? Some foldable tubs can be compact; your baby might grow out of it quickly. To make sure that a foldable tub won't leak, practice at first with a small amount of water.
An internal mesh sling/cradle
It's cozy and supportive, especially for a newborn. Some models come with a two-position backrest for added comfort. Some fabric slings have steel rods that support the infrastructure. We think that steel rods might become uncomfortable when your baby kicks his legs or moves from side to side. Other slings are hammock-like and don't have steel rods. Look for those.
Fresh-water rinse
Some tubs feature a separate, battery-powered shower unit that lets you rinse your baby with fresh water from the sink instead of using bath water. The style can be unwieldy because you may need more hands than you have -- one hand on the baby, another to wash him, then two additional hands to use the shower feature. In our tests, we found that a showerhead might deliver water too slowly to get the job done fast and efficiently.
There are also shower units that sit inside the tub, but some parents report that those units get in the way, crowding their baby's legs. They ended up using the spray attachment from the sink or a plastic cupful of water at rinse time, which can be the best way to go anyway, in our opinion.
With one tub we tested, fresh water flowed from the sink or tub faucet into a collection area on the tub, over a temperature sensor and into a reservoir, and then departed through a sidewall drain. The design gives soapy water an exit route so that it??s easier to rinse a baby, but you'll pay more for the privilege. At $40, this tub is among the most expensive on the market.
Easy storage
Some models have a handle or hook on the back to hang the tub up for draining or storage. That's a feature to look for if space is tight. Hang the tub upright from its hook in your shower, so water doesn't drip onto the bathroom floor.
A smooth, overhanging rim
This feature makes it much easier to carry a heavy, water-filled tub (without your baby in it, of course).
Nonskid surface
Some models have a nonskid surface on the bottom to keep the tub from sliding in a regular bathtub.
BRANDS
Some brands of baby bathtubs are, in alphabetical order:
Fisher-Price (www.fisher-price.com) Juvenile Solutions (www.juvenilesolutions.com) Kel-Gar (www.kelgar.com) Learning Curve/The First Years (www.learningcurve.com) 4moms (www.4momsonline.com) Primo (www.primobaby.com) Prince Lionheart (www.princelionheart.com) Safety 1st (www.safety1st.com) Summer Infant (www.summerinfant.com)
Copyright © 2006-2010 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. No reproduction in whole or in part without written permission.
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2009-03-26 15:05:57
