My son Jack is 5 weeks old and absolutely hates his bath. He screams the whole time no matter how gentle and soothing I try to be. His Primo Eurobath (which was recommeded by "Baby Bargains")is so slippery and, in reality, offers no support for a newborn. I can barely hold on to him and quickly wash him at the same time. Is there a better bath product for newborns that can make bath time a more pleasant experience for both of us?
Thanks for all the responses. I have tried the towel under his back but it doesn't work. He still screams. But I ordered The First Years Infant to Toddler Tub with Sling online that many of you recommended and am waiting for it to arrive. That looks like a great solution but I counldn't find it in the store. Meanwhile, I'm using the teddy bear sponge on the counter and he seems more comfortable with that. It just makes a watery mess so I look forward to trying the tub when it's delivered. Thanks for the responses! I'll save my Primo tub for when he's a little older.
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C.R.
answers from
Boston
on
Hi,
We used the Fisher Price "Aquarium" tub...it's plastic but has a newborn sling insert that you put the baby in...it keeps the bbay from sliding and also from sitting directly in the water. The best part is that the tub can be used for a lont time...my son is now 1 and we took out the sling and just sit him in the tub part now...much easier than filling the bathtub!!!
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N.S.
answers from
Boston
on
My son used to slide around too. I used a kitchen towel under his back. I found it worked great. It is short term solution, because he'll be fillng up his tub in no time. Good Luck!
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H.D.
answers from
Barnstable
on
My favorite was the kitchen sink. Put a hand towel on the bottom. My son loved it, it's the perfect height and you have the sprayer if you need it. When he was a little bigger I did the same thing in the tub, although he always preferred the sink.
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G.S.
answers from
Boston
on
Hi T.!
Look at thiis one - I was reccomended it by my doula.
The First Year's Infant To Toddler Tub with Sling
Price: $18.70 on Amazon
Product Features:
Color Name: Blue/Pink
* Adjustable baby tub with built-in wash basin for toys, rinse water, and supplies
* Drain plug alerts parents if water is too hot
* Fits single and double sinks; upright backrest provides additional support for toddlers
* Includes sling and foam pads to cradle infants
* Recommended for newborn babies to toddlers
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R.K.
answers from
Springfield
on
Hi T.. I absolutely love the Fisher price tub we have. My son is 14 months and still uses it. I have the Ocean wonders one but they have it in the rain forest theme too. It comes w/ a mesh insert that hooks in that has a head and neck support and makes washing a squirmy slippery infant much easier. The baby sits in the little mesh hammock while you wash them. It is well worth the price bc its big enough for an older baby to sit in unlike alot of the baby tubs. Good luck w/ your search.
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M.C.
answers from
Bangor
on
Hi T.,
My son HATED baths as a newborn. We gave him just two in his first two weeks and it was so unnerving (for me and for him, Daddy was fine) that we decided to take him in the shower with one of us or give him a sponge bath. We kept that up until he was 4 months old and then he loved the bath. It was easier for me to give up on the bath. Since he didn't need to bathe frequently, it worked out well for us. Hope you find a solution.
Congratulations!
M.
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D.N.
answers from
Hartford
on
My son absolutely hated his bath until he was around 2 months..and then out of the blue he started to love it. It is possible it is just too scary for him right now, and that eventually he will start to like it when he is older. (I remember my litte one really hating everything that did not involve being close to me...but that changes!) Now not only does he like the bathtub, but he likes the carseat and crib too! Amazing. Hang in there!
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R.C.
answers from
Boston
on
First of all, just for now get a much smaller tub so baby feels cozier. I used the Primo from about 8 months on (now baby is 18 months and still very happy in it, and she is big for her age). Secondly, try a "bath sponge" to line the little tub.
Really highly recommend getting this. Available at Target for about four bucks. It’s a big yellow sponge that lines the whole baby tub and it’s SO GREAT! I found bathing the baby very intimidating, and this sponge gives the baby a comfy and more secure place to be. It's called Munchkin SAFETY BABY BATH CRADLE. Try this link to see it:
Congrats on your new baby boy. As silly as it may sound I used to use the kitchen sink and put a dish towel (or something that size) on the bottom before I filled the sink with water. He does not slip and it is easier on your back.
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S.P.
answers from
Boston
on
There are cushions you can buy from any store that fit in the tub and provide a soft area for the baby. They are yellow and about 7 dollars.
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M.E.
answers from
Boston
on
Hi T.,
I highly recommend the Safety First duck tub. It has a little mesh hammock for your baby to rest in comfortably, compartments for soap, etc., and a great container to sprinkle water. I used one of those horrible plastic tubs for my first and then discovered the Safety First tub after I had #2. Both he (now 2) and my four-week-old baby girl have loved their baths ever since.
Happy bathing!
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T.N.
answers from
Boston
on
We like the summertime bath tub with slanted cushion. My son is almost 7 months and still likes it. It does come with a small shower like device, but have not used that.
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A.W.
answers from
Boston
on
With my 1st child I tried a hard plastic tub with a pad, but eventually threw out the pad because it was hard to keep clean & hard to clean the baby with it in. I too found the tub difficult & not too comfortable. Eventually I bought a sling (without a plastic tub) and loved it - I have now used a sling for 3 children. I used it in the kitchen sink & in the tub when they were a bit older (a few months) so I could bath them with their siblings. Here is a link to one similar to the one I used:
T.-
Hi. We had a few diffrent tubs over the years and I have always added one of those teddy bear sponges to the different tubs- even when traveling.. they are pretty cheap- walmart, target and babies r us. they have a little cut out in them that will hold the baby and you do not need as much water b/c it is a sponge- so it is soft for the baby and holds the water in..good luck
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M.L.
answers from
Portland
on
We got our bathtub from babies-r-us. It's a plastic tub that sits in the tub, but has a mesh "hammock" that is for newborn use. (I think we used it for our daughter until she could confidently sit up, though (5 months maybe)- then you remove the hammock and she could sit in the tub-like part) We are now using it for our nearly 3 week old and he loves his bath time as much as his sister did. I think it was like $15.
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K.C.
answers from
Boston
on
hi
line it with a bath towel that you wring dry later.
Even better, get in the tub with him, but you need another set of hands.
:)
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D.K.
answers from
Burlington
on
Hi T.,
I had a plastic bath tub that my daughter used as a baby then a toddler. It fit into my tub, I used a small towel to keep her from slipping. One end of the tub was for an infant and the other end was for a toddler. It worked really well. I just bought one as a gift recently.
good luck!
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J.B.
answers from
Boston
on
Walmart, toys r us or any of those make a mesh holder that the baby can rest on. I have also seen a sponge baby size. I still had to hold the baby's head with one hand and do everything else with the other. I found the kitchen sink was too high for good control. I moved to the stand up shower. Good luck.
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S.K.
answers from
New London
on
Oh yes! There is a much better bathtub! Your kitchen sink- lined with a bath towel and your supportive arm. That's the best tub ever made!
Get your supplies ready and within reach, wash, cloth, towel and sink sprayer. Get the towel wet with warm water and then set baby inside while holding him supportively. With your free hand you can wash him. Interact with him the whole time and keep the water warm, usually warmer than you think. What feels warm to you? Babies get cold easily- so you need to make sure the water and the room are warm enough.
If he still doesn't like it- try just giving him sponge baths while he lays on a towel on the counter.
Good luck,
S.
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S.F.
answers from
Bangor
on
Until my son was able to sit on his own, we never had him in any kind of tub. I would strip down on top and strip him down, then wash him at the bath room sink. He was pretty good about it, so I didn't have to worry about him wiggling and me losing my hold on him. You could also try a sponge bath by laying him on a towel on the floor and doing it that was. We would also take him into the shower when he was still light enough to hold comfortably.
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E.J.
answers from
Boston
on
We have one from The First Years with an infant hammock/sling thing in it. It is excellent. My son loves it and has since the first time we used it. It is also reassuring that you can stick him in the sling and can be somewhat hands free to wash him.
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K.R.
answers from
Boston
on
Fisher Price "Aquarium" tub is fabulous and available at Target.
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P.M.
answers from
Boston
on
I think the one I use is from first years it's a tub that is slanted so the baby is leaning back in it. I put it over the kitchen sink(it overlaps a little) but my daughter does fine in it. She hated it when I actually used it in the tub and it was hard to get each her. She's outgrowing it now that she's 5 months. When she was only a few months old she hated bath time and eventually she grew to like it. My son hated bah time until he was about 2 months old
good luck and congrads on the baby
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R.B.
answers from
Boston
on
I also LOVED our bath that had a mesh sling in it. Mine was plain green - looks like they've come out with some nice colors / themes now (my Daughter is only 3!!), but same style. We used the mesh sling for a super long time and it made life so much easier! I have a bad back since a car accident over 12 years ago - and this mesh sling saved my back since I didn't have to have octopus arms to hold her while bathing her, etc.... it was great! So much so, that I saved it for the next baby! I saw that people who already responded left you the name and link for the tub... go for it!
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M.M.
answers from
Boston
on
I'm using the SafetyFirst basic little bathtub and I love it! It was cheap at about $20 and sturdy. It doesn't have all the frills I've seen on some others but I have a feeling this could last a lifetime! It was a little roomy at first too which gave my son too much space to squirm in, so I added one of those $4 teddy bear bath mat sponge things and now it's perfect!.
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L.B.
answers from
Boston
on
WOW!!! I can't believe how many responses you've gotten!!! :) I guess that can be good and bad - making a decision on what to get hard! :)
We have one from The First Years. It has a hammock that you can clip on that is really sturdy. It is going on baby #2 now, and I still love it. (I just last week stopped using the hammock for my daughter cause she's getting too big! :( With the hammock you just set them in it and you have two hands free to wash - it's great! I want to say we got our from Babies R Us, but I am sure you can find it elsewhere.
We too decided on a lot of the things we have from the Baby Bargains book. Not bad, but now in hindsight - a lot of things really didn't make a difference at all, I don't think. Now having two - for sure paying so much for some stuff is absolutely ridiculous!!! The main thing I still go to them about is car seats though - I'm a real stickler about those!! I am finding out a lot of the opinions or ratings on things in the book just doesn't matter. I would think I HAVE to have this one item because it got good ratings according to the book...and it was all just silliness. Most of the time I could have gotten something quite a bit cheaper and it would have been fine.
Well, hope you find a tub that you (and baby) like. :)
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K.W.
answers from
Boston
on
try putting a hand towel in the tub. or wrap him in the hand towel and gentle lower him into the tub. It makes it softer and less slippery. Helps him feel more contained.
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P.R.
answers from
Boston
on
My son loved his mesh tub sling/hammock. It's only about $7 and is available at Babies-R-Us. It goes from newborn to 6 months old, but my little guy liked it so much he stayed in it until he was 9 months. He's 10 months old now and is sitting in the big tub.
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N.B.
answers from
Boston
on
Hi T.,
I too found the bath tub or bathing in the sink too hard/slippery. So..I took each baby into the shower with me and used a washcloth for traction. I'd drape the washcloth over my arm and hold the baby so his bottom was on the wash cloth and he was facing me. I'm pretty sure doctors will advise against this approach but it worked well for us. In the beginning, I'd have my husband in the room with me to hand me the baby and take the baby. I know of others for whom this approach worked. (My boys are now 9 and 6.)
As always, do what is most comfortable to you. Good Luck.
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B.M.
answers from
Boston
on
I know it's not recommended by the "experts" but I have showered with my 4 month old since day one. He loves it! He smiles and giggles the whole time. I always have my husband in the bathroom with me, and I'll hold the baby while he washes him. I also take baths with him sometimes.
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S.E.
answers from
Boston
on
Hi T. -
We have a great tub by First Years that comes with a sling for newborns. It is like a hammock that holds the baby in the tub. It is available at Babies R Us and Target.
I bought a bath from Babies R Us, made by Summer Infant. It has a sling which sits in the bath that the baby can rest on, freeing up your hands, plus it has a foam non-slip circle in the bottom of the tub for when baby is able to sit up, they can sit on this circle and not slip.
Two great tips my mother gave me is to hold their arms together in front of their body, so they don't flail about, it keeps them feeling secure.
The other tip is to wet a facewasher and lay it over baby's tummy. It makes them feel less exposed, and every minute or so, using a cup, wash water over the facewasher as it gets cold quickly. These tips really worked with my daughter who hated bath time at the beginning.
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J.Z.
answers from
Boston
on
Hi I have four kids and this is the best tub I've ever had. I found it with my last one. I didn't use the sling part, because he was to big by the time I found this tub, but we used it until he was one.
my daughter did not like a bath at that age. So would put a clean shirt on and give her a shower nd she loved that. She is 22 months and loves the tub know. Good luck
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L.C.
answers from
Boston
on
I'm not sure of the name of my tub, but it has a net hammock that attaches to the tub, that way the baby lies in the hammock and is still submerged in the water. It gives them security (they feel like they are being held) and both of your hands are free to further sooth him. I'll look at the name when I go home and re-respond tomorrow. *_* Hope this helps.
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S.B.
answers from
Boston
on
I loved my bathtub!!! My cousin saw the one I was getting and led me in a different direction. I know it sounds funny...but go to Wal Mart! My tub is the one with the froggy sling. I think my cousins was a duck. It is white with an animal on it. It was perfect for sponge baths on the sling and then afterwards my son loved being submerged in the water. It fit him until he was 6 months. I loved it.
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K.T.
answers from
Boston
on
The bath tub I have for my kids is older, it was I think The First Years, it came with a attached non skid pad on it. I am not familiar with the one you have, but perhaps try putting a warm wet hand towel underneath him might him for him not to slip. Also, if he really isnt enjoying his bath, change the time of day you do it, and perhaps it isnt a time when he is expecting to be fed, if things are that bad, stick to a sponge bath for a while and try the tub again in a few weeks. I hope this helps some, have fun with your new little boy.
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C.R.
answers from
Boston
on
Don't ditch the Eurobath yet! This has been one of my favorite baby tools since about 1 month on. (prior to that. we'd just lay her on a towel and use damp cotton balls to wipe her down- she also used to hate baths!) When using the small infant side, I used to drape a hand towel over the slant (hanging off the side) and dampen in with warm water right before putting my daughter on it. Keeps it from being slippery and adds some padding. And once she was able to comfortably sit up, that bath is incredible on the "older baby" side for keeping her comfortably in place. She loves her baths, and I love that we can put the whole tub on the counter in the kitchen- so I don't have to bend my back over to bathe her from an awkward position.
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N.G.
answers from
Boston
on
Hi T., Congrats on your little man!
OK, you can make that Euro Bath work! I have never seen one, but I bet rolling up a towel or washcloth (jellyroll fashion)and placing it at the small of his back, and maybe another behind his knees, then laying a towel over the whole thing would work. Not slippery,and a comforting surface. A little wet, certainly, but worth a try.I did this with a cheapo plastic tub 20 years ago and it worked great!
Also, using the "football hold" worked great for my little ones when they were leery of their first bathing experiences: Standing with the tub counter or table height right in front of you,cradle the baby with one arm, having the head at your bent elbow,the body next to yours, and the hand of your cradling arm firmly gripping around the baby's thigh which is the one facing out away from you, much the way a football is carried as a player runs with it. THat way if he wiggles, you just cradle him tighter to your body.This way, you also have a whole free other hand to wash and rinse him.Place him slowly and gently into the bath, talking softly and cheerily to him.
YEs, there's more wet towels and wet clothes for you this way, but it's LOTS easier on the babe!
Good luck!
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A.S.
answers from
Providence
on
Forget the baby tubs. They scared me too. Try a Water PIC shower sprayer( The kind of shower head that you can have up for your shower and hang down in the tub for baby's shower.) And a towel folded in the bottom of the tub. You can find them in most home stores for about $35. I know that sounds steep, but we have had ours for almost 7 years.
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C.A.
answers from
New London
on
I see you got a lot of responses, but I'll throuw mine out there too. I use the The First Years Sure Comfort Deluxe Newborn-to-Toddler Tub. http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2403667 It comes with a sling that you use until they are steady enough to lean back on there own and go into the tub part. My daughter is 6 months old and sits up in the tub and I feel safe. It fits in the kitchen sink too, so you don't have to strain your back. I like it better than putting her in the big tub. Hope you find one that works for you. Good luck.
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K.D.
answers from
Providence
on
wrap/swaddle your son in a baby bath towel my kids enjoyed the bath more like that and my newest child i got a bath seat that sits in the tub and they lay on top of it and and you can gently pour water over them. it is fabric that allows the water to run through. it folds up very nicely and you can take the fabric off and wash it. warmly K. mother of 13 11 8 and 1yr old
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S.S.
answers from
Boston
on
I ran into the same problem with my daughter. We ending up using a beachchair type bath seat. we got it at babies r us for $10 and was by far the best purchase we ever made. The "chair" was mesh and fit into the sink or tub!
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S.W.
answers from
Burlington
on
I have only given my babe one bath, but I took a page from my stepmom and used a giant sponge shaped like a teddy bear that I got at Toys R Us for about $5. It has a divet cut out for her body, and keeps her above the hard sink (which is where we use it) and above the water. She seemed to like it until we washed her hair - and we didn't have to hold on to her because the sponge held her in place.
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R.B.
answers from
Providence
on
My daughter screamed through her bath until she was was almost 12 weeks old...she just didn't like it. I tried everything - warming up the bathroom first, warming up the towel, etc. etc. etc. Sometimes it is just going to be time for them to adjust, he's awful new to this world, so somethings can take time.
I have a baby tub that feels very slippery too, and I have a tough time, but I found that putting a small towel or washcloth in the bath tub behind the baby did a couple of things -helped keep her a little warmer as well as prevented her from slipping around.
Hope it helps - my daughter is now 9 months old and loves her bath, but it sure felt like it took a long time!
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S.M.
answers from
Springfield
on
I used the First Years Tub-to-Seat Complete and it offered great support plus transitioned to a seat when he was able t start sitting on his own. We bought it at Babies'R'Us.
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S.D.
answers from
Burlington
on
Hi T.,
My son hated his baths at the beginning of his life too. A close friend offered the suggestion of getting in the tub with him and nursing him in the tub. I tried it and it worked so well! I enjoyed the time with him, cuddling him, holding him close and comforting him. He now loves to take a bath (he is 9 months) and doesn't fuss. Hope this helps! Know that you are doing your very best! S.
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G.S.
answers from
Boston
on
I have always use a body shaped sponge to give my daughter a bath. I got it at Babies R Us. It is very economical and she really seemed to like it. The sponge is 2 inches thick so her bum didn't go directly into the water and I could do my thing with her. Also a plus it has a sticker to gauge the water temp to.
Now @ 5 months she is sitting up in the tub playing with her rubber duckie. Often times I found myself sponge bathing her instead of putting her in the tub. My Pedi. MD said that he would recommend getting in the tub along with her. Haven't tried that yet but sounds like a time saver too.
GOOD LUCK
G.
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S.D.
answers from
Hartford
on
Hi T.,
For my son I had a First Years Sure Comfort Deluxe Newborn-to-Toddler Tub, that I got at Babies R Us and you could take a look at it online. What I liked about it was that it has a hammock type netting that the newborn sits in within the tub.
Happy Tub hunting
S.
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L.M.
answers from
Providence
on
Hi T. -
Honestly, I found that the easiest was to get into the tub with my kids. I felt funny about it, so I would wear a bathing suit. But let me tell you, it was so much easier than trying to wash the babies in those tubs. you can use your legs to hold the baby. Its worth a try... until the kids were old enough to sit up by them selves, we did it that way.
It's also great bonding!
L.
Rather than buying a whole tub, we used a $5 yellow foam pad from Target (sold by the tubs). When my daughter was really young, we just filled the tub with about 2 inches of water and lay her down on the mat. She loved it and it wasn't slippery for her like a tub. It provided a lot of padding and since she was on her back, it made it easy for us to wash her bottom and her head.
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K.R.
answers from
Boston
on
Bath time became a much nicer experience when we started taking baths together. At first it was awkward getting in and out of the tub without help. But quickly it became our favorite time of the day. My husband and I fought over who's turn it was and our best photos are of bath time.
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A.B.
answers from
Portland
on
Hi T.. We got the First Years Sure Comfort Deluxe newborn -to - toddler tub at Target for about $16.00. Has nonskid padding. Also comes with a sling type attachment for the newborns. Lily loves sitting in this tub and playing. There is a built in area to hold bath essentials. The drain plug is temp sensitive for warm/hot water to avoid burns. We got ours last September. The Model # is Y3155. The # on the barcode is 0 71463 031559. Hope this helps. I have also taken her in the shower with me on those days where things are really hectic.
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A.D.
answers from
Boston
on
Hi T....I am a mom of 3 and with my first 2 kids I had bought the big plastic bathtups thinking they were better. I learned with my 3 (1 today) to just use the simplest. I bought it at Walmart for I think around $6-. It's just a small mesh like holder for the baby. It dries quick and is not big and bulky. It's good until probably around 4 months. There is one similiar at Toys R us for more money, that I had bought first, but I didn't like. It kept snapping up so, I didn't even put my baby in it. Try the Wal-mart one!!!!