Type: Traditional baby bathtub | Suitable from: Birth to 12 months | Dimensions: 40 X 60 X 30cm What we love Gently lower them into the water, with one hand under their bum and one arm behind their head and shoulders, supporting the arm furthest from you. Keep this arm around them while they're in the bath if you aren’t using a tub that supports them with a sling or similar. I got the IKEA Baby Bath and we got loads of use out of it. It's hardly expensive, plus a washing-up bowl isn't really the right shape for them when lying down” - recommended by Mumsnet user, Jinglejanglefish Our verdict Shopping for baby products can feel overwhelming, and when it comes to products like bathtubs which have a safety element involved, it gets stressful. Here at Mumsnet we've been dedicated to making parents' lives easier for over 20 years - that's why we do the research for you, so you can make an informed decision without the stress. We've vetted everything from the best breast pumps to the best baby bottles, as well as baby essentials like the best changing bags and sippy cups.

Fill the bath with 8 to 10cm of water, running the cold first and then adding hot. Make sure it’s the right temperature (37 to 38 degrees Celsius) and that there are no hot patches. Many baby baths have supports for the head and shoulders or come with a sling to keep babies secure. Gently curved supportive areas will also make the experience more comfortable for your baby. The more comfy your baby is, the more likely they are to take to bath time happily. The Shnuggle is great, especially in winter because you can fill it up deep enough to keep baby warm but using very little water (so it fills in seconds and is light to lift)" - recommended by Mumsnet user, FizzingWhizzbee123 Our verdict We have a blow-up bath. It’s been a lifesaver. We put it in the shower tray. We also take it on holiday when there's only a shower, and you can fly with it and inflate it when you get there’ - recommended by Mumsnet user, Windsorthewashingbasket Our verdict Using a baby bathtub with some kind of support and a non-slip floor helps with this, but if you don’t have one with those features, just keep one arm behind their head and shoulders at all times, with your hand supporting them. How often should you bathe a baby?This will of course depend on your lifestyle, budget and home. We hope our list gives you some options of what could work for you and your baby. We chose the Shnuggle Baby Bath as the best baby bath of 2023 as it’s lightweight, easy, comfy, can be used anywhere and popular with Mumsnetters. How we choose our recommendations Make sure it’s safe, solid and unlikely to tip over. Although you’ll never leave your baby in the bath, drowning can happen in a matter of seconds. Type: Baby bath tub with built-in seat | Suitable from: Birth | Dimensions: 41 x 41 x 76 What we love That depends on the bath product. Some bath supports or sink inserts are only big enough to last until around six months, while others can be used all the way up to six years of age. Once a baby can sit unaided, many parents move onto a non-slip bath mat. Types of baby bath

Type: Bathtub with sling insert | Suitable from: Birth to 6 months+ | Dimensions: 70 x 48 x 29 What we love You can buy baby baths that are a bit like mini paddling pools. These can then sit inside your full-sized bathtub or on your bathroom floor. If you’re pregnant, a baby bath may well feature somewhere on your newborn essentials list. You can certainly get by without one (and many parents have), but first-time parents often say they find a mini bath or bath seat useful for taking some of the worry out of handling a slippery baby. The best baby baths will allow your baby to enjoy bath time as they'll be able to freely play and relax in the water - and you’ll, in turn, enjoy it more too.

10. Best baby bath for a newborn: Nuby Newborn Baby Bath

Type: Baby bath sink insert | Suitable from: Newborn to 12 months (max 9kg) | Dimensions: 53 x 38 x 15cm folded; 53 x 38 x 30cm unfolded What we love We had the Nuby newborn bath. It was excellent with a built in support, smaller water capacity (good news for water bill and much lighter and easier to carry / empty)’ - recommended by Mumsnet user, Cautiouscovidity Our verdict Type: Bath support | Suitable from: Birth to 6 months | Dimensions: 33.5 x 58.5 X 22.5cm What we love I have the flex bath, it's great, we don't have a bath, just a shower and are low on space, so it was a godsend for us as it folds down. Still in use now at two years old” - recommended by Mumsnet user, DeadButDelicious Our verdict Have everything ( baby shampoo, a baby towel, nappies etc) to hand first because you mustn’t leave your baby in the bath unattended, even for a second.

Type: Digital baby bath | Suitable from: Birth to 2 years old | Dimensions: ‎74 x 42.5 x 24 cm What we love Type: Inflatable baby bath | Suitable from: 6-24 months (for babies who can sit upright) | Dimensions: 6.99 x 24.13 x 23.5 cm What we love Usually made out of something squishy like foam or soft plastic, these fit straight into the sink. What to look for in a baby bath Shaped like an old-fashioned metal tub, these are small baths, usually made from sturdy plastic that you can use on the bathroom floor or in your baby’s nursery. They are typically shaped to support your baby’s head and shoulders and sometimes have a built-in seat for extra comfort.

8. Best inflatable baby bath: Munchkin Hot Safety Duck Bath

Using a flannel, muslin, sponge or your hand, clean your baby gently from top to bottom. You don’t need to use any soap for a new baby. It’s up to you. New babies don’t need a proper bath more than once a week – a top and tail will do. But as they grow, three times a week is fine. If your child loves having a bath, you might want to do it every night as part of a relaxing bedtime routine. What’s the best baby bath to buy? Strip your baby down to their nappy and wrap them in a towel while you first wash their face and then hair, leaning them over the bath. Dry their hair off gently with the towel, then remove their nappy, clean the nappy area and get ready to lift them into the bath.

This has a mesh bit for your baby to lie in until they can sit up. So they're in the water but supported, and you have your hands free” - recommended by Mumsnet user, WeaselMcWeasel Our verdict Because we believe parents who have been there before know best and are honest about what they like, we looked at recommendations from Mumsnet users themselves. We trawled the Mumsnet forums for posts about which baby baths they rated highly and why, and which left them a little lukewarm.