If you are expecting and started a baby registry, you must have noticed that there are a lot of unwanted chemicals in many of the baby products.
Although we cannot shield our babies from toxins 100% of the time, it is recommended to limit the toxic exposure especially during the first three years of your baby.
Earlier we talked about choosing non-toxic bath toys as plastic toys will leach BPA and other chemicals when they come in contact with warm water. The same logic holds for plastic baby bathtubs as well.
Since you will be bathing your newborn in a bathtub, it is essential to choose BPA free bathtubs that don’t release hormone disrupting chemicals that can be absorbed by your newborn’s skin.
Customisable and Interactive Baby Registry Checklist
Bathtubs come in many sizes to fit the needs of your lifestyle. Some only need a basic compact bathtub that will fit in the sink while some prefer a fancy bathtub that has all the bells and whistles.
No matter what you are looking for there is one that will fit the bill. Here is my list of the best baby bath tubs for newborn as well as toddlers.
Best Bath Tub for Sinks :
Perfect bathtubs if you are living in a small space and need something to prop over your bathroom or kitchen sink and tuck it away when not in use. These bathtubs are best suited for bathing a newborn baby.
The PUJ baby tub is nothing like your regular bath tubs. It is made of soft foam that folds to fit into your kitchen sink. The PUJ tub is made of BPA and PVC free material, only the safest for your baby.
There are magnets at the bottom that transforms the tub into a cradle so your newborn can safely recline in the tub. Washing your baby in the reclining position easy and comfortable for you and your baby.
There are holes around the body of the tub to ensure that excess water gets adequately drained, so there is no risk of baby submerging in the water.
The soft foam is easy to clean and dry. The foam doesn’t absorb water and is resistant to mild dew and mold. The best part about the PUJ tub is that is stores flat. You can even hang in against the wall using the top hole.
While some might think this is a waste of money, I beg to differ. I think it is a great idea to start with a tub that can sit on the sink for this first few months and switch to a bigger tub later.
I had a 3rd-degree vaginal tear, and I found it extremely painful to sit down to bath my newborn. If you are c section mom, do yourself a favor and get this tub.
The only small gripe about this tub is that it may not fit every sink. Please measure your sink dimensions before you purchase the tub. If in doubt, email their customer service, and they should help you out. Otherwise, Puj is one of the best bathtub for your baby that will fit in the sink.
Are you shocked to see a bucket in my list? Then you will be surprised to know that bathing a newborn in a bucket is relatively common around the world.
The idea is to be mimic the womb structure so that the baby feels warm and comfortable during the bath time.
Many babies fight bath time fiercely. If your baby hates water with a passion and if you have tried everything in the book, the bath bucket can come to your rescue.
The tub is made of clear, see-through material. To use tummy tub, first, fill warm water up to the mark, and gently put your newborn baby inside (toe first).
Tummy tub is used by midwives and even in the hospitals to bathe newborn babies. Since the newborn takes a fetal position inside the tub and is covered with warm water ( instead of exposed to cold air in regular tubs), they remain calm and find bath time soothing.
Just with any other bathtubs, you need to be present and supervise during the bath time. You cannot leave your baby in the tub and walk away.
If you feel that using a bucket can be overwhelming, take a look at the video below. You will quickly realize that using s bucket is no more complicated than using a bathtub.
In fact, it can be a more natural transition for the baby because they are already accustomed to being in an enclosed fetal position.
Pros:
Best for newborns and baby’s with colic.
Soothes baby by keeping them warm and in a fetal position
A natural transition for newborns as they will find the enclosed bucket comforting (like the womb)
Eco-friendly. Consumes less water.
Cons:
New moms may find this trickier to use a bucket ( It’s not that hard though!).
Can be a tripping hazard with very energetic infants who move a lot inside the bucket. (Preventable with adult supervision)
Prince Lionheart washPOD is another non toxic bucket option you can try. If you want something less intimidating than a bucket but more of a compact bath seat, then Shnuggle Baby Bath Tub is something I recommend checking out.
Boon Naked bath tub has a sleek and simple design that works from newborn to toddler age. The Boon Naked tub is a one-piece design and is also BPA, Phthalate, and PVC free.
It offers a reclining position for newborn to hold the head up and away from water. Since the tub doesn’t come with a non-slip surface, you may need to buy an infant bath insert or use a towel, so your baby doesn’t slide around in the tub.
The tub can be folded and tucked away for easy storage. As your baby grows the tub expands to fit an infant or a toddler.
An inbuilt drain plug is a must-have when you are looking for a functional bathtub, and it’s no surprise that Boon comes with it for hassle-free water drainage.
The tub is fully collapsible, and it comes with a hook to hang it up. This tub is perfect for you if you have space constraints. The only complaints about this tub are that the hook breaks off easily. You can always contact Boon if this happens to you and they can help you out with this problem.
Pros:
Easy to fold, store and works perfectly for small spaces
Comes with a hook to easily hang the tub to dry.
Comes with a built-in drain plug for complete water drainage
Two positions – reclining position for newborns and fully expands to fit infants/toddlers.
Cons:
Can be slippery for smaller newborns. Can be easily fixed by using a towel underneath.
Stokke Flexi may not look all cutesy, but it gets the job done. Stokke Flexi is made free from heavy metals, phthalates, formaldehyde, BPA, and other harmful substances. The materials used are PP+TPE.
If you live in an apartment with no bathtub or have space constraints, Stokke Flexi is an excellent choice for you. Flexi folds flat and can be tucked under the closet or leaned against a wall.
Even though Stokke Flexi also comes as a bundle with a newborn insert, I have seen many reviews that said that the insert didn’t work well for small babies. The newborn insert seems to be wobbly, and the baby weight was not enough to hold the seat down.
That being said, this is an excellent choice for older babies who love to be in a tub. They will have ample space to splash and play. Once your baby is too big for the tub, you can even use this as a water table in your backyard during those hot summer months.
Stokke Flexi is also great for traveling.
Pros:
Folds flat. Perfect for small spaces or apartments with no bathtubs.
Free of heavy metals, phthalates, formaldehyde, BPA, and other harmful substances
Great for traveling.
Comes with a built-in drain plug for complete water drainage
Also available as a bundle with a newborn seat
Can be used as a water table for backyard play
Cons:
Must be dried thoroughly before folding. Mold can be formed if not dried properly ( this is the case with any bath product).
Best suited for older infants and toddlers.
Newborn inserts don’t work well for small babies. Slippery even after using a towel.
Best Sling Baby Tub:
These are also called called ‘Grow with Me’ that, well, grows with your baby’s age.
‘Grow with me’ tubs like the Skip Hop Moby bath tub, is specifically designed for every stage of your baby. Moby is a three-stage bathtub that comes with a mesh sling and a non-slip base tub.
The mesh sling can be used for newborns as well for infants. Roll out the mesh sling fully to lie your newborn down in a cradling position. The sling will adjust to the body of your newborn and hold your baby from moving around.
The sling can be rolled up to create a safe seating position for your infant. Once your baby grows big, you can entirely remove the sling and use the base tub.
Skip Hop Moby Bathtub is BPA-free, PVC-free, and Phthalate-free. It comes with a drain plug and a non-slip surface for added safety.
Pros:
Free of BPA, PVC and Phthalates.
Comes with a mesh sling that can be used for newborns and infants.
Removable sling for older babies
Comes with a built-in drain plug for complete water drainage
Non-slip surface for added safety
Has a storage hook to hang to dry
Perfect size – not too small or too big.
Cons:
Mesh sling can be tricky to wash properly to prevent musty smell.
Little toes can get caught in the holes where the mesh sling attaches.
If you are the ‘go big or go home type’ and want a large bathtub that can be used for newborn and well through the toddler stage, take a look at the Primo Eurobath tub.
Primo Euro tub is an extra large, classic tub that is made in the USA with BPA free, PVC free, Lead-free, Phthalate free Recyclable Polypropylene.
The Primo Eurobath has a smart design that can safely fit newborn, sitting infant and a playful toddler. You will be using the countered seat during the newborn stage to place your baby in the reclining position. Your newborn head will be lifted, and the seat will go between the baby’s legs and hold the bum.
If you have small babies (like mine), you can buy one of the bathtub inserts or put a soft towel over the tub to further ensure that your baby is contained in the tub.
Once your baby has the muscle power to sit down, the seat will support sitting without wobbling. This tub is very spacious, and it is easily one of the largest tub available in the market. There is no doubt that this tub will last to for years to come.
Primo EuroBath can be used inside the regular bath tub, on the floor or a table. For the early days when crouching down can be a pain, Primo also sells a stand to prop the bath tub over.
The only problem comes when storing this tub. Because it is huge, you would need to store in a closet. Primo does come with a hole on the top end, so you can hang it if you want.
Pros:
Can be used from 0 – 2 years
Unique anatomical shape to hold newborn in reclining position.
Made in USA.
Made from BPA free, PVC free, Lead free, Recyclable Polypropylene
Comes with a drain hole to empty water
Spots to hold shampoo and lotion
Cons:
Very large tub, storage can be an issue.
Small babies may not fit well in the contoured seat. You may have to buy a newborn cushion seat or use a towel underneath.
Final Word:
A good quality bathtub is essential for the safety and comfort of your baby. It can make bath time enjoyable for the baby and stress-free for the caregiver.
I recommend buying a small bathtub (we recommend that PUJ ) for your newborn that fits over a kitchen sink or a counter ( to avoid crouching during those early days and hurting your back) and then switching to a larger tub like Primo or Stokke’s once your baby is big enough. Here is my top recommendations for the best non-toxic bathtubs.
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Disclaimer
All material provided on this website is for your information only and should not be construed as medical advice or instruction. Please consult with a medical professional regarding any matters related to the health and well-being of yourself or others. The information and opinions expressed here are believed to be accurate based on my best judgement. Readers who fail to consult with a medical professional assume the risk of any injuries.
