Baby baths

These are small, portable plastic baths designed to contain your baby in a manageable space, with gentle contouring for comfort. They may come with handles, drainage plugs and integral soap dishes. They are suitable from newborn, and can be used until your baby outgrows them.

There are two types:

Those that sit in the base of the adult bath: these are easily filled from the bath taps and emptied by a drainage plug or by tipping; some have handles that you can use for hanging the bath out of the way when it's not needed.

Those that sit on the rim of the adult bath: (check the dimensions of your bath before buying) they’re usually filled by a shower attachment or jug and emptied by a drainage plug. The big advantage of these is that they raise the baby up to the level of the bath rim, giving you much easier access and saving your aching back.

For babies who are likely to travel, look out for a portable, inflatable soft baby bath which packs down very small and comes with its own travel bag.

Points to consider

• Some parents don't bother with a bath, and find alternative ways to wash their baby. At first, you could bath your baby in the kitchen sink, or use a clean washing up bowl. See bathing your newborn.
• Some parents like to take their new baby in the adult bath with them. Other parents simply put a little water in the adult bath and lean over the edge while they bath their baby. As an alternative to a baby bath, you can also buy baby seats which fit into an adult bath and give your baby some support
• If you are considering buying a nappy changing station, some makes incorporate a baby bath into the design

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