Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Stages

NewFolks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Ready for bath time? Here’s what you’ll need

Lauren Barth
By

Scrub-a-dub-dub, look at that baby in a tub! Yes, it’s time to splish, splash, and get that little nugget of yours so fresh and so clean. But first, you will need all the essentials to make Baby’s bath easy, refreshing, and fun. From a freestanding infant bath tub to rubber-ducky toys to the softest silicone skin brush to hooded towels, we’ve rounded up all the best bath accessories for your sweetie-pie’s next soapy, sudsy soak. There’s nothing cuter, sweeter, or bubblier than an itty-bitty getting dipped, wiped, and washed — and, with some help from a few nifty products, this wet but not-so-wild routine is sure to become your favorite part of the day. Bath time really is the best time!

Boon SOAK 3-Stage Bathtub

The first thing you’re going to need to successfully bathe your baby is a tub. (Didn’t see that one coming now, did you?) Yes, you can use the kitchen sink and eventually a full tub, but while your infant is still young and little, it’s helpful to have a smaller, angled space for bathing. The Boon SOAK bathtub features three stages (positions) to accommodate newborns, infants, and toddlers. We love a product that grows with Baby; you can keep and use it for longer — and, ultimately, save money. It can fit across most sinks, so you can fill it up easily, and the nonslip material helps keep your baby comfortably secure.

Munchkin Bubble Bath Spout Cover

When Baby graduates from a freestanding bath basin to the big bathtub, you will find that a spout cover is a nifty addition to your setup. This one fits over most bathtub faucets and serves to protect your baby from head bumps, bruises, and even burns. It stays in place as you run the water, and this adorable Munchkin duck cover option also has a built-in dispenser for a bubble bath.

Related

Mustela Gentle Cleansing Gel and Baby Hair Wash

There are so many different cleansing gels and shampoo products that claim to be designed specifically for infants; it can be hard as a new parent to determine which one to try. Start by finding a hypoallergenic formula that is free of parabens, phthalates and phenoxyethanol. Mustela’s tear-free wash is made with 90% plant-based ingredients, so it’s gentle but effective. It will keep moisture and natural oils locked in, and it will leave your little one’s skin looking and feeling supple and soft. Of course, if your baby prefers a bath full of bubbles, you can also opt for a gentle soak to provide a foamy and fun play scene.

Skip Hop Waterfall Rinser

Take our word for it: A simple cup will not do. When you are pouring water over your little one’s head, you’ll want a rinser that is designed to mitigate meltdowns. The inside of the whale pourer helps encourage a steady flow so that you can get the job of rinsing a sudsy head faster. What’s more, the yellow rubber lip hugs your baby’s forehead to stop water from going into their sensitive eyes. Dishwasher safe and mold-resistant, this super-simple accessory can help ensure that bath time remains a tear-free affair.

FridaBaby DermaFrida SkinSoother Silicone Brush 

You can skip washcloths altogether in favor of this simple silicone-bristled brush. It features cleansing massage beads that stimulate skin and even relax Baby during a pre-bedtime bath. What’s more, it can work wonders on your little one’s scalp. If they have cradle cap, this nifty tool will help to gently remove all that excess dry skin. It’s a great for eczema, too. Of course, if your baby is blessed with a head full of luscious locks, you should also consider having a soft-bristled brush or comb to manage that mini mane of theirs.

Growsland Baby Bath Toys

Who said that bath time should be all business and no play? A few fun and versatile bath toys — from squeaky and squishy creatures to waterproof books — will keep your baby entertained while you go about your business scrubbing, shampooing, and rinsing. If you obtain a lot of bath toys, consider getting a storage system that hangs and drains (to deter mold and mildew) for both convenience and cleanliness.

Baby Aspen Hooded Towel

Regardless of whether your baby loves or hates the bath, the hardest part of wrapping up a soak can be, well, wrapping up your baby. Their little bodies quickly become accustomed to the warmth of the water, and reemerging in the cool air can be both shocking and frustrating. Worry not — an adorable and cozy hooded towel creature can help make the transition easier. Made with plush terrycloth, these 30-inch towel buddies are perfect for infants up to 9 months.

Bath time can be such a joy for Baby and their parents. It’s a few designated moments to relax and play. Yes, it helps them stay clean, smell fresh, and feel good in their skin, but it also gives you precious bonding time together. Having the right bath-time supplies and accessories can make it even more pleasant for you and your honey-bunny — whether they are 1 month old or rounding toward a year. In a flash, they will be independently splashing up a storm — so make the most of this calming ritual while you can. Enjoy!

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Lauren Barth
Lauren Barth
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Lauren Barth is a freelance writer and digital editor with over a decade of experience creating lifestyle, parenting, travel…
When do babies start talking? Should you be concerned if yours isn’t?
Learn why baby babbling is music to a parent's ears
Father talking to his infant child

Baby's first year is such an exciting time. As new parents, we are amazed at all those milestones, like rolling over and baby's first smile. One milestone many parents anxiously await is baby's first words. Will it be "mama" or "dada?" The more important question, though, may be, "When do babies start talking?"

A baby' speech development actually begins at birth. The sounds they hear, including their parents, talking is a vital step in speech development. So, when should your baby be saying those exciting first words, and should you be worried if yours isn't talking yet?
When do babies start talking?
As with all of those memorable milestones, when a baby begins to talk falls within a range. Most babies will say that treasured first word somewhere between 12 and 18 months. Once that first word comes out, it won't be long before baby is putting small words together like "up ma."

Read more
Are you a helicopter mom? Here’s how to tell and what to do about it
Is being a helicopter parent so bad? Here's how to tell if you're too overbearing
Mom encouraging baby to crawl

It's hard out there for parents these days. It seems that no matter how you parent, someone on the internet will have something to say about it, especially if you're a mom. For some reason, dads don't face nearly as much judgment about how they raise their kids as mothers do. After all, terms like silky mom, tiger mom, and crunchy mom, are now common terms used to describe different parenting methods, but the helicopter mom is the OG of these parenting styles.

What is helicopter parenting?
Helicopter parenting became a widely used term in the 1990s, and describes overprotective parents who hover over their children, hence the term "helicopter." Authors Foster Cline and Jim Fay popularized the term in their book Parenting with Love and Logic, writing that helicopter parents, "hover over and then rescue their children whenever trouble arises." They added that "they're forever running lunches, permission slips, band instruments, and homework assignments to school."
You may also recognize the helicopter parent on the playground as they hover over their child, constantly monitoring how they play and who they play with. Helicopter parents try to shield their children from any potential conflict or struggle, which can be understandable but also detrimental to a child's personal development.

Read more
Advice for new parents that they’ll want to hear
Know someone about to have a baby? This advice for new parents will make you their hero
A mother singing to her little baby

Everyone has something to say to new parents. Recommendations, products they should or shouldn't get, or just ways they should be a parent. While suggestions are great, there's advice for new parents that is more welcome than others. If you want to be supportive but not overstep boundaries, stick to these topics.
Find your support squad
There's going to be stress no matter what, so your support system is key. Help the new parent find a group they would feel comfortable in. Check your local library, community center, Facebook, or even nearby schools for different groups the new parents could join. Whether they want a play date or an emotional support group, there is a place for every type of new parent.
Don't be too big to accept help
If someone offers help -- take it. New parents want to spend every second enjoying their new bundle, and while that is understandable, you cannot do it all alone. While keeping your boundaries in place, make a list of help you'd personally love to have.

Do you want meals delivered to the doorstep? Do you want help exclusively with cleaning? Are there other siblings that could use extra attention? Have a sign-up for relatives or friends to take on those tasks themselves. People love to help out a new parent, so let them, as long as it's still on their terms.

Read more