Best Baby Bathtub

At the end of the day, a bathtub is a bathtub, right? Well, maybe not, actually!

Some houses have those really fancy clawfoot bathtubs, you know what I’m talking about, right? Well, believe it or not, there are actually fancy, crème de la crème baby bathtubs out there too!

Today I’m not going to just be covering the top of the line baby bathtubs, I’m covering alllllll the best baby bath tubs!

So if you are in the baby bath tub market and feel simply overwhelmed with all of the options out there – then you are in the right place!

Follow @mommy.labornurse on Instagram to join our community of over 640k for education, tips, and solidarity on all things pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!

Types of baby bathtubs

Like I said, there are so many options and types of bathtubs when it comes to babies.

Cushion for sink

• A great option for when your baby is brand new
• You can find these sink cushions in a variety of price ranges on Amazon so if you only end up using it for a month or so, it’s still totally worth it
• It brings baby up to your level/ height to keep you from having to bend over and break your back. Most are super soft and thick so they are comfortable for baby to sit on
• The edges (most are flower-shaped so really the petals) are easy to manipulate and fold to fit almost any size sink. You can throw it directly in the wash, the dryer, or even hang it somewhere to dry when you are finished!

Sling

• A sling tub is also a great option for your baby when they are really little
• A sling allows baby to lay back and relax in a more comfortable, natural, and safe position for them at a younger age. It keeps you from having to worry about your little one falling over or falling back (this doesn’t mean it’s safe to leave them unattended though)
• You don’t have to stop using this at a certain age, it can be comfortable for an older baby too, but most mamas do end up graduating to a seated tub at some point

Seat

• This is a great option for when your baby is a little bit older
• I wouldn’t say your baby needs to be able to sit up 100% on their own, most of them have the little railings all the way around, but for safety purposes, baby should pretty much be sitting independently

Grow with me

• A transitional or “grow with me” tub is, well, just what it sounds like! It’s a bathtub that changes into different positions to accommodate babies at different ages
• They all differ a little bit but usually start out in some kind of sling position and then move to a semi-seated, then seated, and then a completely unassisted seated position
• A great option if you just want to purchase one tub that your little one can use for the first year plus

Inflatable

• These are fun for your little one but might not be the most practical kind of baby tub
• The ones I’ve seen the most are inflatable duck bathtubs. And like I said, they are fun and they are really cute, but they require a bit more “work” than the other tubs. This might not be an issue for you, especially if you have one of those little hand pump things, but I, quite frankly, wouldn’t want to deal with it
• Not to mention that it takes up a good amount of space when it’s inflated too so you’ll want to consider that aspect as well

To read details about each specific product, continue scrolling through this article. But if you want to cut to the chase and see all my favorite baby bathtubs in one place, you can do so by clicking the button below!

Best baby bathtub for newborns

Summer Infant Clean Rinse Baby Bath Seat

With a newborn, the way to go is with Summer Infant’s clean rinse baby bath seat. This tub allows you to bathe baby on the counter, in the sink, or in the actual bathtub. It has a 3 position recline with easily adjustable buttons so you can optimize your baby’s comfort. 

This tub is made with quick drying, soft material that not only ensures comfort but also makes cleaning a breeze. This is a great option for newborns because it can easily be used in the sink or can be used in a main bathtub too if preferred. Keep bathing easy, comfortable, and fun for both baby and mama!

Best baby bathtubs for in the sink

Blooming Bath Baby Bath Seat

When it comes to sink bathtubs, there’s really only one way to go – the blooming bath baby bath seat. Just because it’s a flower doesn’t mean that it can only be used for baby girls either. They come in all colors and patterns so don’t let the fact that it’s a flower deter my boy mamas out there! 

When placed in the sink, the petals sort of cradle around baby to make a comfortable and safe spot to place your baby for bath time! 

This particular one (shown below) is handmade with ultrasoft crystal Minky fabric safe, on a delicate setting, for the washer and dryer. You can also wring out the excess water after a bath and place it in the dryer if it’s not in need of a wash.

What’s more, this option, which turns your sink into a bathtub, can do wonders for your back. I can remember leaning over the bathtub, for what felt like an eternity, trying to bathe my boys when they were little. Not only did my back kill me afterwards but my knees hurt too. The flower bath sink cushion helps eliminate that issue altogether!

Best baby bathtub seat

Summer Infant My Bath Seat

This tub is great for babies that can sit up unassisted. You can expect to use this from roughly 5 months to about 10 ish months when your little one starts pulling up to a standing position. 

There are a few things I love about this tub. The first is the high backrest that provides comfort, support, and stability. The other thing I love are the suction cups on the arms of the seat that provide additional safety. This added safety feature allows you, as the mama, to have both hands free to clean and interact with your little one during bathtime. 

This tub is easy to set up and install and is made to fit all standard, rectangular bathtubs. The tub is easy to remove and clean when needed. 

Best baby bathtub to grow with your child

Frida Baby 4-in-1 Grow-With-Me Baby Bathtub

From newborns to toddlers, Frida Baby has you covered with this tub, mama. Make the bathtime transition easy and seamless with this 4-in-1 bathtub that adapts to your little one as they grow.

This tub offers a two-sided hammock with stay-put hooks. The hammock is made of quick dry material and machine washable for added convenience. The sling provides a cozy and safe cradle for your baby in those first several months. 

As your little one grows, you can utilize the smart sling seat bar to keep your little one safe. Eventually, once old enough, you can remove the sling insert altogether and just use the tub to bathe your baby. 

The price point might be a little bit higher than other baby bathtubs but you shouldn’t have to purchase another tub so consider it a longer term investment. 

Best baby bathtub for travel

Summer Infant Foldaway Baby Bath Seat

The thing that makes this tub perfect for travel is the fact that it folds flat, making it compact and portable. It’s small enough to be used in a sink but also works great in a regular sized tub as well. 

The mesh sling has supportive, high sides with a comfy headrest to keep baby safe and comfortable. The bottom of the tub has 4 non-slip grips to keep it from moving around. The sling is easy to remove and can be thrown in the washing machine for easy cleaning.

Whether you are looking for a travel-friendly bathtub or just something small and compact to have around the house (or maybe grandma’s house) this is a great option!

Best baby bathtub on a budget

Angelcare Baby Bath Support

This tub, which is great for babies 6 months of age and under, offers a safe and easy option for bathtime. This tub is basic, no bells or whistles, but it absolutely gets the job done – and without breaking the bank!

You can set this bathtub directly into a regular tub and feel confident and safe as your baby is partially submerged in the water for their bath. The frame of this tub is made of lightweight but durable plastic that’s covered in a soft, gentle mesh.

The quick-dry mesh has drain holes to make rinsing and cleaning a breeze. If you don’t believe me on this one, check out the 26k plus almost 5-star reviews this tub has.

Best all-around baby bathtub

Fisher Price Baby to Toddler Bath

There are so many things I like about this bathtub! First thing, it can be used with newborns, bigger babies, and toddlers. It includes a soft, mesh sling for newborns, an insert that can be used once they are a little bit older, and then a seat for when they are even older and able to sit a little more independently. Once your little one is sitting, fully independently, you can remove the seat for a roomier bath experience.

There’s a plug inside the tub that makes draining and cleaning a breeze. It comes with a hook that makes it easy to hang dry and store when needed. Included with this tub is a little squeeze bottle to assist with bathing and a whale scoop for playing. 

Last, but not least, one of the best features, the price! The price fluctuates a bit based on your preferred design but you can expect to spend around $40, give or take, on this bathtub that truly does have it all.

Do I really need a baby bathtub?

Do you have to have a baby bathtub? Probably not. Will a baby bathtub make your life, especially in those first several weeks and months, easier? Absolutely! Not only will it make your life easier but it will also help keep your little one safe during bathtime. 

So even though I will stick to my original answer, you don’t have to have a baby bathtub, as a mama of two, it’s certainly something I would recommend putting on your baby registry or purchasing yourself. 

How long will I use a baby bathtub?

That really depends on what kind of bathtub you end up getting. As you learned above, there are some bathtubs that are dedicated to newborns and younger infants. And others are specific to older babies and toddlers even, and then the tubs that “grow” with your child. 

If you purchase a bathtub that is specifically designed for newborns and younger babies then you probably will get 5 or 6 ish months out of it.

That’s not to say that you couldn’t use it longer but most of the tubs for smaller babies have slings. Once your little one starts sitting up it might be tricky to contain them to a sling tub. 

If you invest in a bathtub that grows with your little one then you can expect to get a couple years use out of it.

There are lots of “grow with me” or convertible baby bathtubs on the market so if this kind of tub interests you, you should certainly be able to find one that fits your needs.

Want recommendations for other baby bathtime essentials?

Looking for some assistance with your baby registry? Let me and my team help you! We have created an amazing resource for you. And did I mention that it’s free? MLN’s Baby Registry Guide will walk you through the process of creating a registry and help you say goodbye to registry overwhelm.

We’ll help you make informed decisions about the items you’ll actually need. What’s more, we have shoppable links to products at every price point, to make purchasing or adding to your registry super easy!

Don’t miss out on this info-packed, comprehensive, and free guide. You can learn more and sign up to receive the guide by filling out the form below.