Baby gear

Babies need lots of stuff to stay safe and comfortable.
Get a car seat and make sure you can install it correctly.
Be sure any pre-owned items are cleaned and the right size.

Bath tubs and products

A baby bathtub is a small, safe place to bathe your baby. We do not recommend a bath seat, bath ring, or blow-up (inflatable) tub that fits inside a regular tub because they can flip or tip over and the child could drown.

Shopping tips

Buy a bathtub with contoured sides or a sling to cradle your baby. The contoured sides keep your baby from sliding around in the tub. The sling prevents her from slipping underwater.
We do not recommend a bathtub with a temperature indicator. They are not necessary. Your hand or elbow is the best way to test the water temperature.
Do not bother with a fresh-water rinse unit. It costs extra, takes up room, and may not work that well.
Buy a soft towel and washcloth. A towel with a hood is best because it cradles the baby’s head.
Choose a baby body wash that is also a shampoo.

Safety tips

Give your baby sponge baths until the stump of his umbilical cord falls off. Then bathe him in a baby bathtub two to three times a week. More often can dry out his skin.
Always hold your baby while she is in the bathtub. A baby can drown in very little water.
Test the water temperature before you put your baby in the tub or rinse him. Use your elbow, the inside of your wrist, or the back of your hand.
Rinse your baby using a plastic cup or a sprayer attached to the sink. Test the water temperature first.
Clean and dry the bathtub each time you use it. This keeps mildew and soap scum from building up on the tub.
When your baby can sit up, he can be bathed in a regular bathtub with a small amount of water.
For more information, visit Babies & Kids on the Consumers Report Web site.

June 2008