For a tiny human being, a baby can make some real big messes, from blowouts to spit-up eruptions. And as most parents will attest, cleaning up a small, floppy, slippery newborn isn’t without its challenges. A baby bathtub can make the job easier. While you’ll probably only rely on an infant tub until baby is about 6 months old or until she’s developmentally able to sit up, it is handy and sets the stage for making bath time fun once baby gets older and graduates to the big tub.

Types Of Baby Bathtubs

• In-sink baby bathtubs: Ideal for a newborn, these infant bathtubs are smaller and fit inside or over a kitchen sink. Typically made of mesh, foam, cloth or plastic, many of these baby bathtubs are collapsible and take up very little storage space.

• Basin baby bathtubs: Designed to sit on the counter, on the floor or even in your actual tub, these plastic baby bathtubs give you a lot of flexibility on where bath time happens.

• Tubs that grow with baby: Not all babies are ready for the big-kid tub at 6 months old, and that’s where a transitional tub can help. Features like removable infant inserts and adjustable recline positions can take baby all the way through toddlerhood.

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Best Newborn Bathtub

Once you get past those first few sponge baths, you’ll need an infant bathtub that keeps your squirmy newborn secure without sacrificing comfort. Puj is the tub for the job. The soft form cradles and conforms to baby, fitting perfectly in most kitchen sinks. But when bath time’s over, it’s hard to tell it's a baby bathtub at all; it hangs flat for easy storage.

Buy it: $45, Amazon.com

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Best Inflatable Baby Bathtub

The Munchkin White Hot Inflatable Safety Tub is just about the most adorable rubber ducky to help introduce baby to bath time. The inflatable design makes it extra soft—but it still has a non-slip bottom to keep baby in place. Plus, a ‘White Hot’ safety disc lets parents know when the water temperature is too hot for baby: around 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

Buy it: $12, Amazon.com

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Best Cheap Baby Bathtub

For an inexpensive infant bathtub, The First Years Sure Comfort Deluxe Newborn to Toddler Tub includes a number of impressive features. A mesh sling attachment makes it newborn-ready and the deep basin can hold an older child entering toddlerhood. What sets this tub apart, though, is the built-in wash basin that gives parents a separate place to keep clean rinse water or store bathing supplies.

Buy it: $20, Amazon.com

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Best Non-Slip Baby Bathtub

The contoured back walls and non-slip foam of the Boon Soak 3-Stage Baby Bathtub—winner of the Best of Baby 2018 award for best baby bath tub—keep your slippery baby from sliding all over the place during bath time. And an adjustable, contoured bump-out at the base means baby will sit comfortably through the newborn, infant and toddler stages. An added bonus? A color-changing drain lets you know the ideal bath temperature before you place baby in the tub.

Buy it: $27, Amazon

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Best Baby Bathtub With Stand

Depending on the height of your bathroom’s tub, washing baby can literally be back-breaking work. The Summer Infant Right Height Bathtub uses a plastic base to bring baby up to your level, meaning less hunching, more washing. The base also detaches should you want to use this infant tub in the sink and can be used as a step stool down the line for bigger kids.

Buy it: $45, Amazon.com

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Best Collapsible Baby Tub

Beaba is known for its baby food maker, but they’ve introduced a collapsible fabric tub that’s as sleek as it is innovative. The mold-resistant soft fabric conforms to baby's shape, while the non-slip feet provide stability. When you’re done? The whole thing folds flat for compact storage.

Buy it: $100, Amazon.com

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Best Baby Spa Tub

Even though you’re the one who could use a little R&R, the Summer Infant Warming Waterfall baby tub lets baby enjoy some spa time. A gentle waterfall circulates bath water, so baby’s never sitting in dirty water. A small tray table (to keep bath essentials close at hand), a rinse cup and wash cloth are all part of the package too.

Buy it: $40, Amazon.com

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Best Large Baby Bathtub

If you’re looking for a large baby tub, one roomy enough to fit a 4 year old, then the Stokke Flexi Bath Foldable Bathtub fits the bill. It skips the extra features and compartments found in other tubs in favor of more tub room, though you can purchase a newborn support sling (sold separately). Best of all, this big baby tub collapses flat for easy storage.

Buy it: $64, Amazon.com

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Best Upright Baby Bathtub

Never seen one of these before? Popular in the UK, baby buckets like the Prince Lionheart washPOD are designed to mimic the environment of the womb by keeping baby upright. The drawbacks of this type of baby bathtub? It’s harder to wash baby’s bottom and it won’t give you more than about six months of use.

Buy it: $30, Amazon.com

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Best Infant Bathtub With Sling

Many baby bathtubs come with a sling or newborn insert to keep infants propped up, safe and secure. Our favorite? The Skip Hop Moby. In this cute baby tub, the soft mesh sling isn’t just functional, it’s versatile. Lock it into the higher position for full-body support or adjust it to a lower position to help older babies learn to sit upright.

Buy it: $33, Amazon.com

Updated December 2019

More from The Bump:

Baby's First Bath: How to Bathe a Newborn

Baby Bath Supplies Checklist

Best Baby Shampoos, Washes and Soaps

Bath Toys for Good, Clean Fun

Bath Time