A baby bath seat has the power to make bathtime a less stressful and even fun experience for both you and your baby. But as a parent you’re probably asking yourself, “what is it and how can one help me?” The answer to that question is it’s a seat that fixes to the side of the bathtub. With it, your baby can sit without assistance while being bathed. You’ll know your child is old enough to use one when they can sit up and support their own head without assistance. This usually happens between four months and seven months of age. It can help you by turning bathing into a beautiful bonding experience between you and your child, as you won’t be struggling to hold your baby up while simultaneously trying to bathe them. Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, what are some things you should look for when buying one?
Safety
The most important feature is safety. Make sure that the seat will be secure no matter how it attaches to the tub. If it has clamps, make sure that the clamp will properly and securely latch onto the side of your bath tub. If it has suction cups on the bottom, make sure that the cups don’t allow the seat to move around too much. These are important because babies are curious. They might see something around the bathroom and try to climb out and get it. This can make an insecure seat tip over, drowning your baby. So whatever you do, make sure that the seat is sturdy and not flimsy. Also, make sure that there is a strap or T-bar running between your baby’s legs that will keep them from slipping out of the seat.
Comfort
Comfort is important because discomfort can ruin the bonding of bathtime for both you and your child. The child’s comfort level is more important than yours because uncomfortable children tend to make it known by crying. Since baby bath tub seats are usually made out of rubber or plastic, make sure that the material of the seat is comfortable for the baby. Also look for places that might hurt your baby such as sharp or rough edges around the seat. All of this is not to discount your comfort level however. You should also be comfortable when bathing your child. Make sure you can easily reach your baby in the seat. This can be accomplished by purchasing a seat that swivels. This way you’ll be able to use both of your hands to wash your baby.
These are a few basics about baby bath seats. The most important thing to remember above all else is that the seat isn’t a replacement for parental supervision. Never leave your baby in the bath tub unattended!