The best products for bathtime with your baby and toddler. These will make bath time more exciting and fun. It will also make it easier on the parent!
I am starting a new series of baby stuff I love. I thought it would be fun for everyone to share things they have found to be useful or not useful when it comes to baby stuff. We are a target group companies go after. We have so much to choose among, and we want to buy it all. Through these posts, perhaps we can help each other know things we have loved, and perhaps things we haven’t loved.
Bath Stuff I Love
- Munchkin Bath Toy Turtle Scoop. This is something that benefits mom. When I only had Brayden to care for, I took each toy individually out of the tub and dried it off by hand. Well, time just isn’t as free-flowing with two children. I found this at a store and have loved it. You put the turtle in the tub, still full of water, and the toys flow into it. It works really well. Then you hang it and let the toys dry. Love this. Munchkin Bath Toy Turtle Scoop
- Shampoo Rinse Cup. This has been great for Brayden (3). Brayden hates to get water in his eyes. We got this cup about a month ago, and he has loved it. He is so happy to not have water in his eyes. This cup does work, though I find it harder to use with Kaitlyn (16 months). For one, she really doesn’t care if she gets water in her eyes. For another, she doesn’t hold still, and getting the cup against the head is a big reason this cup works. Shampoo Rinse Cup
- Safety First Bathseat. I liked this for both of my kids, and it was especially nice when Kaitlyn was tipsy and bathing with her brother. This way she didn’t risk getting knocked over. Safety 1st Tubside Bath Seat
- Toys. Toys are fun, but keep in mind bath toys get gross. I do not think of bath toys as a long term item to own if the toy has a hole in it (you can try to plug the hole with hot glue to try to prolong the life of that toy). Both of my kids really love their toy boat. I don’t think it would matter much which boat it was, just that it is a boat. Ours is the Parents brand sold at Target. Tubby Tug Boat in Clear Packaging . They also really like the foam letters and numbers. A lot of Brayden’s letter-learning has happened in the tub. Rub A Dub Abc & 123 They also like the Sassy Snap and Squirt Sea Creatures Sassy Snap and Squirt Sea Creatures. I will make a recommendation when you are buying bath toys. Don’t go overboard. I am pretty meticulous with our toys. I keep them dry and clean them in vinegar ever so often to remove water spots and mildew. However, I have noticed that some of the toys Brayden had as a baby are getting close to being done. I will soon be throwing them away. So I would get some toys, but be prepared to need to throw them out and replace them. This is especially true of toys that can get water inside. It is hard to keep the inside of those clean.
Baby Gear for Bath Time
The gear you need is dependent on your setup and your baby’s age.
- Bath tub/bath sponge/etc. Brayden hated baths. We did most “bathing” as sponge baths for the first two months because he hated it so much. Kaitlyn loved baths. For both, I used a simple, inexpensive baby bath tub. A good friend of mine (and my mom) used a sponge you lay baby on and put in the tub. Some can do baths in a sink when old enough. If I were buying a baby bathtub right now, I would buy one that can be used for a newborn up to an independent sitter such as this one. I hated that when Kaitlyn got to a point of sitting, we wasted so much water in the tub because she sat in one little spot. A friend told me she used a wash basin in the tub for her daughter. I thought that was a great idea. This is a similar idea: Safety 1st Kirby Inflatable Tub in Blue.
- Towel. You can use a hooded baby towel or a normal towel. The hooded are nice to keep baby’s head warm if you transport from the tub to the changing table after a bath. Super-soft Hooded Bath Wrap
- Washcloth. I like to have washcloths that are used only for baby just so I know where it has been.
- Cotton balls. I never had to use these for Brayden, but Kaitlyn had a clogged duct for her first 6 weeks and the cotton ball was good for cleaning that.
- Shampoo/baby wash. Be sure you have something “tear free” and safe for baby.
- Lotion. This will depend on your baby. Consult with your pediatrician about it. Some babies need strong lotion, some need none.
- Non-slip mat. I use this in the bathtub to prevent the kids from slipping.
- Bubbles. Fun for older infants or toddlers (and older).
Stuff I Can Do WithoutI was given some calming milk bath stuff at a shower. I have never used it. That is about it, though.
Please leave your own thoughts! I will add them to the post.
Reader Advice/Comments:
- Don & Denise Sullivan said…
At our shower we were given an “over the door” bath organizer by Fisher Price. It’s great because we can keep all the wash cloths, shampoo, etc. in it and it zips close so everything’s neatly concealed. Hangs over your door. Someone gave us foam shaped jungle animals, palm trees, etc. that are like the foam letters. They can pretend play and stick them on the tub and walls. Looking forward to everyone’s comments!
August 26, 2008 10:20 AM
Plowmanators said…
Sounds cool Denise. Those foam animals sound especially fun. I am going to have to watch for those!
August 30, 2008 8:41 PM - Lorri said…
Maybe this isn’t so safe now that I think about it. But once in a while my husband will take our son in with him when he showers. He started doing this at 6 weeks old. This has helped the water in the eyes fear and our son loves bath time AND shower time.I have used the Mother’s Touch Baby Bather by Summer Infant we got as a shower gift. I like it when I first saw it because the mesh is machine washable-but it is very hard to try and fit back on. It isn’t very practical though, it doesn’t have any straps to hold baby in and I find myself holding on to him and he just floats in the water so I end up not using the chair anyway.
August 26, 2008 10:42 AM
Plowmanators said…
Lorri, We also take showers with our kids on ocassion. Thanks for your tips!
August 30, 2008 8:42 PM - The Traveling Turtle said…
I love the disposable pads that you can put under your little ones while they are on the changing table. They have come in handy the most when my husband changes our daughter. I have figured out her potty cycles and know that it is a bad idea to change her directly after a bottle – but he is still learning. The pads save me from having to wash the changing pad cover every time. You just throw away the little disposable thing. When I was told about them to begin with I thought they would be a waste of money – but they have been a HUGE help and it is the #1 thing I tell all my pregnant friends to ask for or buy themselves. Maybe that is a boring item to not live without – but it is handy for sure!
August 26, 2008 11:19 AM
Plowmanators said…
Thanks Traveling Turtle–I didn’t even know about those!
August 30, 2008 8:43 PM - bradysmom said…
We use a rubber duck tub in the bath tub. Mine loves it, and it’s great because I stand him up to get his rear-end and legs, and he can hold onto the head. he loves that part! Munchkin White Hot Inflatable Duck Tub. Another thing I wouldn’t do without – the water thermometer. It’s great!
August 26, 2008 11:20 AM
Plowmanators said…
Thanks Bradysmom–that duck looks really fun!
August 30, 2008 8:45 PM - mmonfore said…
I love the bath sponge and often give it as a gift. It’s great and so simple. Much easier than the baby tub. You just fill the bath tub with a few inches of water and lie them down on it before they are sitting up. Once they do sit up, they can sit on it for comfort. The shampoo cup is an interesting invention, but I would caution against it. I always dumped the water on William’s head, from day one, and he never had an issue with it getting in his face. With Lucas, I was more careful to keep it out of his eyes, then one day, I got it in his eyes and he freaked out. From then on I resolved to start dumping the water over his head. Now he’s fine with it. It’s definitely something to think about as kids get older and need to get their faces wet in swimming lessons.
August 26, 2008 12:13 PM
Plowmanators said…
Maureen, I really think the water in the face has more to do with pain in eyes with water than anything. When I get water (just nice plain water) in my eyes, it really hurts. I think Brayden is the same. He took a shower with me every day from 7-16 months and got tons of water in his face. He also got water in his eyes every time I washed his hair until we got this cup a month ago. He gets splashed in the face by Kaitlyn quite often…while he doesn’t mind water in the face while playing (playing in the tub or in a pool or in the lake), he does not like it while washing his hair. Since we got the cup, he has been awesome about it and comments every bath how much he likes the cup because water doesn’t get in his eyes. For Kaitlyn, I don’t even use it usually because she won’t look up so the water goes in her eyes anyway, and it doesn’t bother her in the least.
August 30, 2008 8:49 PM - Christie said…
My little girl loves bath paints, it is basically colored liquid soap, but she can rub it on the tub or herself. I also use her baby body wash/shampoo as “bubble bath” because it is made for baby and I know it will not irritate her skin.
August 26, 2008 12:7 PM
Plowmanators said…
Oh Christie, I loved those as a little girl too! So fun.
August 30, 2008 8:49 PM - Melissa said…
What a fun post series! We have very limited space right now, so my husband takes our son into the shower with him. We find that it works great. I wrap our son in a hooded towel when finished, then he gets a little massage. :)Looking forward to more great ideas!
August 26, 2008 2:07 PM
Plowmanators said…
Thanks Melissa, showers can be fun with the parents.
August 30, 2008 8:50 PM - david, blair, and sadie beth said…
I am definitely a huge fan of tear free shampoo – however, Sadie Beth had pretty yucky cradle cap. I’ve seen it worse, but I just don’t like it. Anyways – our pediatrician suggested using Selsun Blue shampoo, and this worked great. For that reason, I really like the shampoo rinse cup. Also, we dealt with some dry sking. It wasn’t severe, just winter. I found that using plain Dove soap for both her hair and body worked the best. It definitely dried her out less than the Johnson’s baby products which seem to be what you get tons of for baby gifts! 🙂
August 26, 2008 3:15 PM
Plowmanators said…
Blair, thanks for that info. I will have to remember that in the future if needed (and I can remember because it is here! lol).
August 30, 2008 8:51 PM - sarah84m said…
My daughter loved baths and it helped her sleep…..I guess I went a little overboard because I started bathing her everyday before bedtime not realizing she had eczema and the baths were drying out her skin to no end. I didn’t use any hydrocortisone on her skin since she was so young –4 weeks– in tead I used burt’s bees baby lotion and put it on her entire body including her face. This cleared up her eczema almost overnight plus I cut down only bathing her twice a week. I love burt’s bees baby products!
August 26, 2008 10:56 PM
Plowmanators said…
Thanks Sarah, I have heard good stuff about Burt’s Bees stuff also.
August 30, 2008 8:52 PM - Matt and Brooke said…
Daddy takes care of bath time with our 5 month old daughter. He’s 6’4″ and has problems getting comfortable around the bathtub. Thankfully, my stepmom found this tub side kneeler Tubside Bath Kneeler and Step Stool that suctions to the tub. That way he can kneel comfortably and later, we can use it as a step stool for our daughter.
August 27, 2008 8:12 AM
Plowmanators said…
Thanks Brooke, I always wondered if those things really were worth it or not.
August 30, 2008 8:53 PM - Kerri said…
Best Bathtime item: Laundry Basket.Before your child can sit up very well and falls over a lot plop them in a laundry basket in the bathtub. If they fall over a little it’s just on the sides of the laundry basket. It also works well for bathing an older and younger child together — just put the younger child in the basket with a few toys and everyone is happy.
August 27, 2008 9:08 AM
Plowmanators said…
That is a very good, creative idea Kerri!
August 30, 2008 8:54 PM - nicole viola said…
I love the California Baby brand bubble bath & shampoo/body wash. Not only is it truly natural & non-toxic (unlike johnson’s and other baby brands), but the “calming” flavor really does calm our little one down!
August 27, 2008 1:17 PM
Plowmanators said…
Thanks Nicole, I hadn’t ever heard about it. That is good to know.
August 30, 2008 8:55 PM - jessica babcock said…
I really wanted to do cloth diapers with my LO but I was nervous about the pins, and oh boy was my husband terrified! but last minute my friend gave me “mother-ease” fitted diapers with snaps that adjust from newborn all the way untill who knows when. and the cheap plastic pants work just great over top and we have had no leaks! as frugal and “green” as i would like to think I am, I know I wouldnt have stuck it out with cloth without this brand. other brands are not as convienient
August 27, 2008 4:58 PM
Plowmanators said…
Thanks Jessica for your tips!
August 30, 2008 8:56 PM - Lorri said…
I have to say, as far as shampoo/body wash goes-Aveeno Baby has worked great for our little one. We had been using the johnson stuff the hospital sent us home with and at 1 week old he started to get a little dry. He is now 4 months old and since we bought and started using the Aveeno he never has had a dry flake of skin, no cradle cap or rashes. We always get complimented on how nice our son smells. He has gotten water and the body wash in his eyes when he splashes and never complains.
August 29, 2008 2:29 PM
Plowmanators said…
Thanks Lorri. My son has really dry skin (got it from me), so it is always good to hear of good products for that.
August 30, 2008 9:05 PM - Rachel Stella said…
I love this new idea for posts!I love the little pads that you put under your baby when you change him. They are not disposable, but are cheap, easy to clean, and you can get them at BRUS. Sorry I don’t know what they are called.Wanted to remind people that you really don’t need to use soap on babies everyday. 1-2 times a week is probably plenty. Just plain water is fine otherwise. Also, if you decide to give a bath everyday (maybe as part of a night time ritual), if you put on lotion right after it will help to reduce dry skin. What exactly is a bath sponge? Sounds useful but can’t figure out what it is.
September 2, 2008 2:08 PM
Plowmanators said…
Thanks Rachel, except I have heard to not put lotion on baby every time. I personally need lotion every time since my skin is so dry. I put lotion on Brayden every time, who also had really dry skin. But Kaitlyn does not have dry skin so I don’t always do it.the bath sponge is a sponge that fits the whole baby on it to lay on for the bath. Summer Comfy Bath Sponge – one color, one size
September 7, 2008 8:48 PM - Jennifer said…
This is the bath sponge we used. It’s only a few dollars and it lasted about 3 months until it got smelly. We used it from day 1 since none of our sinks were conducive to bathing. At that point, I just laid my baby in the tub for her baths with out anything underneath her.
September 7, 2008 9:57 PM
Plowmanators said…
Thanks Jennifer. I haven’t ever tried this (I have a baby tub), but I have heard of graduating up to a folded up towel under baby after the sponge (for those with younger babies who are considering it).
September 11, 2008 1:48 PM
Reader Questions:
- Nicole Flowers said…
2 Questions on sleep and napping:1) realizing it depends on the baby, but I am on the fence about how to handle baby’s crying when I put down for sleep/nap. A) if I hear him stirringn (pre-cry), I have run over to him and put his pacifier back in and then rubbed his tummy to sooth before he gets crazy with crying. sometime this works and I only have to do it that one time. Other times, I have had to go into his room several times only to eventually have to pick him up b/c soothing without picking him up isn’t working. Other times, I have let him cry — 10 minutes, then 15 minutes, etc. Do you have a recommendation? Should I let him cry it out every time to be consistent? I figure I can’t always catch him before he starts crying.2) I am sleep training right now — putting him down in his crib every time he seems sleepy throughout the day/night after each waketime. But he starts daycare part time (every afternoon M-F) in about a week. Clearly I won’t have the same control with that. Should I continue doing what I’m doing in the daytime to sleep train? BTW, my baby is 2 months old.August 28, 2008 3:08 PM
Nicole Flowers said…
And now, one NEW question — regarding bathtime. I can’t find in babywise although I am sure its there — can you do bathtime BEFORE the nighttime feeding so the feeding is last and then you can swaddle them up and put them to bed all nice and full and tired? Or, does babywise recommend bath AFTER the nighttime feeding? THANKS!August 29, 2008 11:32 AM
Plowmanators said…
Nicole, You can do bathtime before a feeding if you want to and if it works with your schedule.
September 2, 2008 10:21 PM - Emily said…
What age would you let your child shower with you? Just wondering if my DD was old enough to give it a try. Thanks
September 1, 2008 8:31 AM
Lorri said…
Emily, my husband took my little guy into the shower with him when he was 6 weeks old so that he wouldn’t be afraid and he LOVES it.
September 1, 2008 2:19 PM
Plowmanators said…
Emily, I don’t know that there is a magical right age for that. I didn’t start it with my son until he was 7 months old. My daughter didn’t do it for the first time until she was like 15 months old. I would just be sure whoever is goign in with the baby feels comfortable holding the slippery little thing. If you intend to wash the baby in the shower, I would have the baby be able to suport herself to some extent. Soap makes things, especially babies slippery. With my son, he sat in his chair, so he was safe from tips. My daughter was obviously quite stable when she started. Just do as you and your baby are comfortable.
September 5, 2008 10:28 AM
dlfin12 said…
Hello, I have never left a comment here before but I love reading them. I have a 6 week old and he just started going in the shower with Dad a couple days ago, since he would cry through a bath. We don’t know if he likes it yet because the only 2 times we did it he kinda slept though the whole thing. But it seems to be working out well. I am outside the shower with a hooded towel ready to grab him, then jammies and a feeding and he has been sleeping for 4 hours straight for the first time. He seems to be very relaxed after. Anyway, as far as the slipperyness of baby, my husband has him in a cradle hold and holds on really tight to his leg. I also read that if you put lanolin on your hands (nipple cream) it gives you traction. We haven’t tried it yet but let me know if it works.
September 14, 2008 10:38 PM
Plowmanators said…
Thanks dlfin12! It sounds like the shower is more relaxing for him than the bath.
November 13, 2008 11:32 AM
Related Posts:
Both of my babies have eczema. Lots of lotions that I received as shower gifts made their skin worse, and a few even made them cry. I have found that the Aveeno baby products that are unscented work well with them because they don’t irritate their already dry skin. We use the creamy body wash, soothing lotion, and diaper cream. All are great and worth the extra money if your little one has skin problems.
Thanks for your tips Kristi!