Reviewed by The Mom Store editorial team, October 2026. See our editorial policy.
A good baby bath tub is stable, the right size for your baby's age, easy to fill shallowly and easy to empty and dry. No tub makes bathing safe on its own, though. What keeps a baby safe in water is an adult's hand on them the whole time, so the eight checks below are about choosing a tub that makes that easier.
Eight things to check before you buy
1. A steady, non slip base
Wet tiles and soapy plastic are slippery. Fill the tub with a little water in the shop or as soon as it arrives and press on the rim: it should not slide or rock on your bathroom floor or counter.
2. Support that matches your baby's age
Newborns need a tub with a sloped back or a removable sling or insert so you can keep their head and shoulders up with one hand. Check the age and weight limits on the label, and stop using a sling or insert once your baby is beyond them.
3. Room for a shallow fill
Young babies need very little water. The American Academy of Pediatrics guide to bathing your newborn suggests about 2 inches, roughly 5 cm, of warm water. A tub with a fill line, or one shallow enough that you will not be tempted to overfill it, helps.
4. Smooth edges and sturdy plastic
Run your fingers along the rim and the moulding lines. Sharp seams scratch, and a very thin tub can flex when you lift or lean on it.
5. The right size for your bathroom
Measure where the tub will sit and where it will be stored. In smaller flats, a tub that stands upright or hangs on a hook is easier to live with than a large one that blocks the floor.
6. Foldable if you travel
Foldable tubs are handy for visits to grandparents or a small home. Check that the folding sides lock firmly when open and do not collapse under the weight of water.
7. A drain plug
A plug lets you empty the water after you have lifted your baby out, without tipping a heavy tub.
8. Easy to clean and dry
Fewer crevices means less trapped water. Rinse the tub after each use and let it dry fully before you put it away.
You can compare tubs, bathers and slings by age range in the baby bather collection.
What to avoid: bath seats and rings
Bath seats and rings that hold a sitting baby upright in a big tub are different from a newborn tub. The AAP advises avoiding bath seats because they can tip over and a baby can slip into the water. The NHS guide to washing and bathing your baby notes that the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents recommends not using baby bath seats, because babies can drown quickly in only a few centimetres of water.
Safe bath time habits
- Never leave your baby alone in the bath, even for a second, and do not leave an older child in charge. If the doorbell or phone rings, wrap your baby in a towel and take them with you.
- Gather everything first, including two towels, a clean nappy and clothes, and warm the room.
- Make the water warm, not hot. Mix it well to remove hot spots and test it with your wrist or elbow. The AAP also suggests keeping the hottest tap water at no more than 120°F, about 49°C, to prevent scalds.
- Lower your baby in feet first, supporting the head and shoulders with one hand.
- Plain water is fine. If you use a cleanser, choose one labelled as suitable for babies.
- Until the umbilical cord stump falls off, usually in one to two weeks, the AAP suggests sponge baths instead of putting your baby in water.
- You do not need to bath your baby every day. The NHS says washing the face, neck, hands and bottom is enough on other days, and the AAP notes that three baths a week may be enough in the first year.
- Avoid bathing straight after a feed or when your baby is hungry or tired.
This article is general information and does not replace advice from your doctor.
