The 5 Best Baby Bath Supports

One of the most loving, nurturing, and fun ways a new parent can bond with her baby is bathtime. From the time the umbilical cord stem falls off, a parent can start giving their baby a sponge bath, and by the time they’re a few weeks old, you can use a bath support to bathe your little one in a baby tub. Though most babies are able to sit up on their own starting around four to seven months, parents feel more secure having a bath support to help keep their child in place in a slippery situation. But there are certainly as many baby bath supports as there are types of little baby bodies, so which one works best for you and your child? We took out our sponges, body wash and rubber duckies, and decided that these are the best 5 baby bath supports.

Fisher-Price 4-In-1 Sling n’ Seat Tub

Totally Worth The (Fisher) Price

From the premiere name in baby products, Fisher-Price offers a 4-in-1 solution.

Best Overall

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The Fisher-Price 4-in-1 Sling n’ Seat Tub is the only bathtub you’ll need as your child grows from a baby to a toddler. The “Four Stage” convertible bath system comes with a large, ergonomic tub, a squeezable rinse bottle, a cute whale water scooper, and a gentle mesh sling to support newborns in the tub – and that’s just for Stage 1. As your baby grows, the tub adapts. Stage 2 features a unique stopper-insert, which holds babies in a comfortable, inclined position to help reduce sliding and slipping. When your child reaches Stage 3 and can hold herself in a sitting position, the baby-stopper insert easily converts into a “Sit-Me-Up Support” that helps keep her upright while giving you full-body access to clean your little one. Finally, when your baby is a Stage 4 toddler, you can completely remove the insert and allow her to splash around uninhibited in the tub!

Pros:

Easy storage with convenient shower-rod hook
Suitable for countertops
Foam lining on back prevents slippage

Cons:

Can slip around on smooth countertops
Foam lining is hard to clean

Angelcare Baby Bath Support

Care for Your Little Angel

For the best combination of softness and support for your baby’s delicate body, Angelcare has you covered.

Best Ergonomic Design

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Ideal for babies up to six months old, the Angelcare Baby Bath Support is ergonomically designed to support your newborn in the tub while providing the maximum amount of comfort, making bathtime a joy for everyone. Designed with a soft, mesh Thermoplastic Elastomer that holds its shape under stress, this bath support can be used in the tub, the sink or in other portable baby baths. With dozens of drain holes that flush away soapy water and a convenient hook that makes bathroom storage a breeze, the Angelcare Baby Bath Support will provide months of safe, effective and fun bathtime.

Pros:

Mildew resistant
Available in three colors
No assembly or separate pieces

Cons:

Not a strap-in device
Best with narrow bodies

Summer Infant My Bath Seat

You’ll Wish It Was Your Bath Seat

With three adjustable mounting screws, the Summer Infant leads in the market in baby bath support stability.

Best Security

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Recommended for babies from five to ten months, the Summer Infant My Bath Seat provides the ultimate in non-slip security. The seat features three large, adjustable mounting screws, one on each side and one on the back of the chair. With a suction cup on the tip of the screws, you can secure the bath support against both sides and/or the back of the tub, ensuring the chair remains in place. The Summer Infant My Bath Seat fits in most standard-sized tubs from 21- to 24-inches wide, and allows parents to have hands-free support for their infants while they’re in the bath. The chair also features a high-back rest for additional support, and are built so that two units can fit in one tub – one on each end – for twins!

Pros:

Easy to install
Simple to clean and dry
Wide frame & two separate leg compartments

Cons:

Not for use in sinks
Doesn’t work well in oval-shaped tubs

Blooming Baby – Baby Bath

The New Definition of Flower Power

Like a giant pillow for your baby bath, Blooming Baby provides support - and adorableness - to bathtime

Best Cushion Support

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You’ll find a lot of baby bath support products in this category: inflatable baby tubs, pillow inserts, mesh and elastic cocoons designed to keep your baby secure in a sink or baby tub. But none of them are as effective – or just plain cute – as the Blooming Baby. Available in nine different colors and designs, the Blooming Baby is literally a large, ultra-soft flower pillow you can stick in the sink to both cradle and support your baby during bathtime. Best suited for newborns and infants up to 6 months old, it’s a perfect alternative to stiff, plastic chairs that some babies find simply too uncomfortable or awkward.

Pros:

Machine washable
Easily fold-up and store
Adds a splash of color to the bath

Cons:

Not for small sinks
Hard to ring dry

Summer Infant Bath Sponge

A Bath Sponge, Not a Sponge Bath

For versatility and comfort through every stage of an infant’s development, there’s the Summer Infant Bath Sponge.

Best Versatility

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The Summer Infant Bath Sponge takes the old adage “simple is better” to heart. Made of slip-resistant foam and contoured for a baby’s shape, the bath sponge insert can be used in baby tubs, sinks, and even adult tubs. For infants, it’s a super-comfortable mat they can lay on for sponge baths; for small babies, the mat can be used to comfortably prop-up your child against the side of the tub; and for larger babies who can sit up on their own, it can be placed on the bottom of the tub to prevent slipping. The foam material is quick-drying for easy cleanup, and can be folded up for convenient storage. It’s even machine washable!

Pros:

Comes in blue and yellow
An affordable alternative to plastic supports
Inclined to support baby’s head

Cons:

No safety straps or buckles
Sponge material can retain cold water

Frequently Asked Questions

Since the support is holding up my baby, is it ok for me to take a quick pee break while she’s in there?

There is only one way to answer this question: NO. Never. Not once. Never ever. Do not leave your baby unattended in a baby bath under any circumstance whatsoever. Have to pee? Take the baby, or tell your partner to watch the baby while you go. Someone’s at the door with pizza and a giant sack of hundred dollar bills? Take your baby with you, or tell the guy at the door to drop the stuff and leave. Do not leave your baby unattended in a bathtub.

Can you really use the kitchen sink as a baby bathtub? Sounds kind of gross.

Absolutely! We recommend you disinfect the sink first, then give it a rinse, then you’re all set. Many baby bath supports fit into a sink. Usually, the real question is, does your baby fit in the sink? If so, the sink is a fine alternative to spending money on a baby bathtub.

Which of these baby bath supports would you say is the safest?

Baby bath supports are built for comfort, durability and practicality. Though safety is always a manufacturer’s concern, you will not find a baby bath support product that makes claims about safety. There is absolutely no substitute for a responsible parent. Whatever product you eventually decide to purchase, make sure it works the way you need it to for your child.