Guide to Baby Bath Seats

Baby bath seats allow babies to sit upright while taking a bath. They consist of a small molded seat and a flat base, and sometimes a set of guardrails on the front and sides. They are usually made of plastic and attach to the tub floor with suction cups or a wide, flat base. They often come with toys and small attachments to entertain the baby during the bath.

Most baby bath seats are designed for babies who are unable to sit up on their own. They allow parents to use both hands to bathe the baby, instead of using one arm to support the baby’s back. Some parents use them to hold the baby when they leave the tub, although this can cause drowning or similar accidents.

Reclining seats

Reclining seats have curved bottoms and angled backrests that hold the baby in a reclining position. They usually have open fronts and may have side rails to keep the baby from rolling off the sides. They are more comfortable and provide more support, but are not very stable and tend to tip over when the baby moves.

Baby bath rings

Baby bath rings are inflatable and consist of a round, flat seat with leg holes and raised front rails. They usually have rattles, blocks, and other plastic toys attached to the rail. Newer models have smaller leg holes to keep babies from slipping and getting trapped.

Baby bath chairs

Baby bath chairs have deep, molded seats, a backrest, and two open leg holes. They have wide, flat bottoms that provide stability on the tub floor without using suction cups. They can also be used as trainer seats to strengthen the baby’s back and upper body muscles.

Tubside bath seats

Tubside baby bath seats have side arms that hook to the rim of the bathtub. They are more stable than rings and seats with suction cups, but may not be effective on sunken tubs. Some models have foot guards at the front to keep babies from slipping through the leg holes.

Safety straps: Choose a baby bath seat with a T-bar or holding strap to secure your baby to the seat. Look for one that goes between the legs to keep them from sliding down or slipping through the leg holes.

Material: Choose a baby bath seat made of thick, durable plastic. Make sure it is water-resistant and will not get brittle over time. Check the edges for any sharp bits that may cut or scratch your baby’s skin.

Stability: Make sure your baby bath seat will not wobble or tip over in the tub. Look for one with a wide, solid base. Avoid those with suction cups because they can get dislodged when your baby jumps or moves in the seat.

Safety information

Baby bath seat have caused several accidents and drowning incidents in the past few years. Make sure your baby bath tub is safe and approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Take the following safety measures to ensure safe use of your baby bath seat.

Never leave your baby unsupervised in the bath seat. Keep the water level shallow to prevent your baby from drowning if he or she falls off the seat. Avoid older models because they may not comply with the new CPSC standards. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely when installing tubside bath seats. Some models have been recalled because of inadequate safety features. Consult a list of recalled models so that you know which designs to avoid when buying.