For a fun and comfortable bath time experience for babies and parents, investing in the best baby bath seats or supports can be a huge help and really make a difference to support the both of you during bath time, whether you're using a baby bath tub or just in the big tub.
We all know just how slippery a baby in the bath can be, which is why using a bath seat during your bath time routine can help you keep baby in one place while you wash them. Usually made from plastic, a baby bath support is a waterproof seat that can be put in the bath. They offer more grip between your precious bubba and the tub, which lessens the chance of them slipping and sliding around the tub and potentially hurting themselves. However, it's important to emphasise that they should never be left alone in the bath at any point.
Editor's choice:
• Best overall baby bath support: Angelcare Soft Touch Baby Bath Support, £23.95
• Best baby bath seat for comfort: Rotho Babydesign Baby Bath Seat, £20.76
• Best baby bath seat for older babies: Bebeconfort Swivel Baby Bath Seat, £16.99
• Best rotatable baby bath seat: BabyDam 360° Swivel Orbital Bath Seat, £29.99
• Best baby bath for design: Stokke Flexibat, £24
Just like a baby thermometer, a bath seat is not essential but is an extra many parents choose to use when bathing their baby. A seat can make it much easier for parents to play with their little ones during bath time as it's an amazing bonding experience for you both. It also makes it easily for you to incorporate more bath toys into your bath time routine as you may have an extra hand free for some fun! Remember, the NHS advise you should never leave your baby alone in the bath, even for just a second.
How to choose the best baby bath seat for you
When it comes to choosing a bath support for your little one, there are several factors to keep in mind before making your purchase.
Strong suction cups – These are ideal for securing the seat in place, which helps with fidgety toddlers.
Your baby's size and weight – These seats all have different age suitability, so it's vital to check the age suitability before purchasing for your baby. You should also note that many of these seats also have maximum weight restrictions so make sure your baby isn't too heavy for their seat. If they're at the top end of the size and weight limits then you may want to opt for a larger seat that will last your growing baby a lot longer.
Weight – A lightweight option will be easier to put in and out of a bath and be easier to clean.
Non-slip surfaces – Most of these bath seats and supports will feature non-slip surfaces to help prevent baby from slipping about in the seat.
Cleaning – Many of these seats are made from mould resistant materials to make your life easier when it comes to cleaning so it's worth checking the cleaning and care instructions before purchasing.
Storage space – When buying a baby bath seat or support, you also need to consider the space you have to store them, as once you have storage for bath toys, it leaves a little less room.
How we chose and tested the best baby bath seats and supports
With several mums on the team, Mother&Baby is best placed to find the best baby bath seats as used and tested in real life by our own babies. Plus, we have a huge panel of real mums who test products every year for the annual Mother&Baby Awards, meaning we get to find out the best award-winning products that have been put through their paces thoroughly and independently by our readers. For the best bath seats our mum and dad testers were looking out for how slip resistant they were, how comfortable their baby found the seat, how easy they were to clean and store away and whether or not they were worth the money.
The Mother&Baby Awards parent testers are provided with some guidelines while testing, so that they take into consideration four key areas: usability, design, quality and value for money. We ask them to score each of these out of 10, as well as give their overall impression of the product.
Find out more about how we test and what considerations we take into account in our testing process.
How to use a bath seat or support safely
Bath time with baby is supposed to be fun, but there are a few safety factors parents and any care givers should keep in mind when bathing little ones. According to the NHS, you should never leave your baby alone in the bath, even for a second. They also advise not to allow older children to look after your baby in the bath, and babies and young children of any age should always be supervised by adults while in the bath. Remember, even if they're in a bath seat you should still support baby with one hand in case they or the seat slip.
You don't need to bathe your baby every day, but if they really enjoy it, there's no reason why you shouldn't. Just remember it's best not to bathe your baby straight after a feed or when they're hungry or tired. Before you even run a bath, make sure the room you're bathing them in is warm and ensure the water is warm but not hot or cold (you can purchase a special thermometer to check this). You should also be sure to turn the tap off before you put your baby into the bath. Finally, have everything you need at hand (you'll thank us later) including a baby bath or clean washing-up bowl filled with warm water, 2 towels, a clean nappy, clean clothes and cotton wool.
Types of baby bath seats and supports
• Foldable – Ideal for smaller bathrooms as you can store them away very easily.
• Seat – Better suited to older baby's who can confidently sit up by themselves. They provide a great transition to using the bigger bath tub but can restrict their legs a little.
• Support – These help you to keep baby in a comfortable laid down position while still allowing them to feel the water and move their little arms and legs freely.
• Rotatable – Another one that's better suited to older babies, these are particularly ideal for baby's who are interested in seeing everything!
Best Baby Bath Seats 2024
Bath time can sometimes be daunting for parents. However, a baby bath seat can help to take the stress out of it and turn it into a relaxing and fun bonding experience for you and your little one. So, for your own peace of mind, why not check out the best bath seats for babies, most of which have been tested by mums.
Best overall baby bath support
www.argos.co.uk
Description
The Angelcare Soft Touch baby bath support offers comfortable and safe support for your baby during bath time. It has an ergonomically designed support, and the mesh material allows for the seat to drain better and more hygienically. The base is sturdy and strong enough to support baby safely. It also has a water level indicator, but if you are looking for something a little bit more comfort, then you might want to go for the Rotho Babydesign Baby Bath Seat.
Our mum tester said: "This product has been good at alleviating my back pain from leaning over the bath and trying to balance baby. Now I can afford to have both hands free if need be, although, of course, I would never risk leaving your baby alone in the bath. I have also used this as a seat for baby while bathing my other two little ones, but that's more of a short-term added extra. Overall, the bathing experience is a lot quicker with the Angelcare Soft Touch Bath Support."
Read our full Angelcare Soft Touch Baby Bath Seat review.
Pros
- Ergonomic design
- Mould resistant
- Suitable from birth
Cons
- It's bulky, so could be difficult to store
Best baby bath seat for comfort
Description
This Rotho Babydesign Bath Seat is a brilliant transition seat for your baby from their baby bath to the big bath. The fold-out ring with child-lock makes it a safe choice, and the extra wide backrest means your baby will sit comfortably.
One parent said: "I spent ages looking for a bath seat for my 6-month-old. He is huge for his age, and I struggle to fit him in some seat designs, so the opening front on this seat is great. It's a basic colour but actually looks quite smart in our bathroom - making a change from the other neon delights! The suction pads are strong, and I've been using this seat every night for several months, and they've remained good little "suckers". The plastic is solid and overall a good quality piece of equipment - would definitely recommend."
Pros
- Extra wide backrest
- Non-slip seat
- Folding ring
Cons
- Many parents found the suction pads weren't strong on their bath surface
Best for older babies
www.smythstoys.com
Description
This Bebeconfort Swivel Baby Bath Seat can swivel a full 360, meaning your baby won't miss a trick. It comes in a lime green colour and also features a fun roller ball to help keep your little one entertained in the bath. To secure in the bath, simply push the suction cups down onto the bottom of the bath.
One parent reviewer said: 'Absolute love the swivel bath seat, so good, a steal for the price, the seat is great quality and sturdy, I love it, so delighted we got it."
Pros
- 360 swivel seat
- Ergonomically shaped backrest
- Four suction pads for stability
Cons
- Not suitable for babies who can't sit up unsupported
Best rotatable baby bath seat
Description
Another one that is ideal for older babies that can sit up, this robust seat provides support and stability at bath time, making your life easier. The BabyDam 360° Swivel Orbital Bath Seat makes it easier for you to move your baby around when washing them, and the removable armrest allows for easy access.
One customer wrote: 'We love this bath seat. And I can swivel around the baby, so he can play with his brother. My 3-year-old loves having baths with his brother, and this is perfect for the job.'
Pros
- Easy to fit in bath
- 360-degree spin
- Removable arm rest
Cons
- Some thought it was too firm under little one's bottom
Best baby bath for design
www.stokke.com
Description
This Stokke Flexibath bath support is designed to fit inside Stokke's foldable bathtub to support babies from birth. It hooks over the end of the foldable tub for secure support. The shape of this support is made to fit your baby's natural shape and contours for a super safe and comfortable bath time experience.
One reviewer said: 'Very happy! I wasn't sure whether to order after reading about red marks on legs. I found this only happened once when my baby slid to one side and was wriggling a lot but never happened again (he's 4 months, so still a bit young, but the seat works really well). He loves a good splash about in it, and this makes it easy for him to play.'
Pros
- Designed to fit babies' natural shape
- Ergonomic support
- Suitable from birth
Cons
- Only compatible with Stokke Foldable bath
Best standalone baby bath
ON OFFER
Description
We love the shape of this comfortable Shnuggle Baby Bath Support and Cosy Foam Back Rest, and we like the fact that it can be used from birth. The large warming backrest makes bath time as comfortable as possible for baby, and the clever non-slip feet give us peace of mind when it's bath time. Looking for something more ergonomically designed? then, the Angelcare Soft Touch Baby Bath Seat might e perfect your little one.
Our mum tester said: "This bath is amazing, we went from just laying out baby in the bath to having her sat up in the snuggle bath and she loves it, using less water for a way better experience, she can now sit up in the bath and play with toys making bath time way more enjoyable for all and also twice as quick if need be."
Read our Shnuggle Baby Bath review.
Pros
- Practical plug
- Bum bump to help prevent slipping
- Suitable for birth up to 12 months
Cons
- Newborns may need a bit of extra support
Best ergonomically designed baby bath seat
Description
This Angelcare Soft Touch Baby Bath seat provides brilliant support for your baby, allowing them to sit up unassisted while in the bath. Its soft material warms quickly to your baby's body temperature making it more comfortable for them. It's also mould-resistant and drains quickly and easily after bath time.
One reviewer said: "Keeps your little one sitted and secured during baths. Suction cups needs to be made sure to be secured before turning on the tap to ensure that it can support your little one. Overall satisfied with the product as it has made bathing my little one safer and more enjoyable for the both of us."
Pros
- Ergonomically designed
- Hygienic and mould resistant
- Soft touch material that warms to bath temperature
Cons
- Can move if not stuck down before running bath
Best baby bath seat for easy storing
Description
With an opening front, this Dreambaby Premium Bath Seat makes it super easy to get baby in and out. The non-skid seat means baby won't be slipping and sliding around when sat down, making it easier for you to get on with washing them. We love how this seat can be folded up to store away easily.
One reviewer said: 'What an effort saver. My grandson sits comfortably in the bath for ages in this seat. It is well-made and sturdy, and the suction is so good I sometimes struggle to release it. Would definitely recommend it.'
Pros
- Opening front section
- Contoured seat for comfort
- Folds for convenient storage
Cons
- Not suitable for narrow baths
How old should a baby be to use a bath seat?
Baby bath seats are ideal for babies that can sit up, so for many babies, that's when they're about six months old until around the time they start to walk. Once they exceed the maximum weight for their seat or support, then they should be fine sat in the bath without the use of a support or seat and instead have a parent or adult carer there to support them.
Can you put a baby bath seat in the shower?
We know not every home has a bath, and if you're on holiday, it's sometimes rare you'll get a bath in your hotel room. The good news is bath seats can still be used in showers safely if you want to wash baby using the shower head. Just remember you may want to opt for a seat with good suction and always make sure you have a hand free to support your tot in their seat.
Why does my baby not want to sit in the bath tub?
While a nice warm bath might seem like our idea of heaven, for baby, the change in temperature new sensations and the smells can be a bit overwhelming, causing many babies to dislike bath time.
If this is the case for you and every bath time seems like a battle, try minimising any sensory overload by dimming the lights, removing toys for now and using a softer voice at bath time.
For older toddlers, make bath time fun by bathing their baby toys as a game to make things more exciting and try incorporating some new toys. They may also feel more at ease if you start bathing with them so they don't feel as alone.
How to keep a baby bath seat and support clean
It's important to make sure that you empty the bath as soon as your little one is finished. This way, the seat or support isn't sat in the water for too long and can be left to drain and dry.
When you clean your baby bath toys, you can also clean the bath seat the same way. Simply fill your bath with warm water, throw in a sterilising tablet and after a few hours, drain and rinse the seat and allow to air dry.
Stephanie Anthony is the deputy digital editor at Mother&Baby and auntie to four aged 7 to 2 months old. With a particular interest in health, she loves discovering products that make parent's lives easier.