How Does an Infant Bathtub Work?

Help With Bathing An Infant

An infant bathtub is used to aid in bathing a baby. Bathing a baby in a large, adult-sized bathtub or even in a smaller sink can be a difficult process. Wet babies are squirmy, slippery, and tend to cry when they don't feel secure, which is usually the case when being bathed in a bathtub or in a sink, which are really made for dishes, not babies. Therefore, most parents use an infant bathtub when bathing an infant. It comes in two basic styles: stand-alone tubs or bathing seats.

Stand-alone Infant Bathtub

A stand-alone infant bathtub is a miniature bathtub. It is shaped to cradle a baby and make her feel more secure. It is usually made of plastic and often has a foam or plastic lining so that the baby is not lying on a hard surface. The tub is shaped with a slanted back so that the baby is lying at an angle in the tub, with her upper body sitting up slightly. This design keeps her head out of the water. Some models have a drain with a plug at the bottom so that the water can be drained out easily when finished with the bath. Sme stand-alone baby bathtubs have a hose attachment with sprayer. This can be attached to a faucet and used to gently spray the baby's head or body with water, making it easier to rinse soap off.

Infant Bath Seat

An infant bath seat is designed to be used in an adult-sized bathtub. It is usually made of plastic, with a seat made of foam and a support bar surrounding the seat. It is designed to support a baby who is not sitting up by himself, but can also be used by a baby who can sit up by himself. The seat attaches to the bottom of the adult tub with strong suction cups. Some models have toys attached to the bar encircling the seat. To use an infant bath seat, the baby must be strong enough to hold his head up by himself. Also, the entire bathtub must be filled with water. Many parents prefer to use this seat over a stand-alone tub, however, because it gets the baby used to being in a large tub. Other parents use a stand-alone bathtub first, then graduate to an infant bath seat once the baby can hold his head up.

Resources

• Expert and parent reviews of different styles of infant bathtubs