When babies are too big for the infant bathtub and too small for the regular one, a choice for the baby who can sit is a baby bath tub ring. Also called baby bath seats, these products can be helpful when used with important cautions in mind. Baby bath rings are little chairs intended to support the sitting baby in the tub and make bathing easier for parents and caregivers.

Safety First
If you're thinking of buying a baby bath ring, first be aware of the following important precautions:

The Consumer Product Safety Commission found that 90% of drowning cases were results of lapses in parental supervision. No baby bath ring is safe enough for you to leave your baby unattended, even for 20 seconds. Babies in the bathtub should never be more than an arm length away from you. Slippery babies can wiggle their way out, slide through an opening, dangle, slip out or end up with their heads in the water without you there to keep them safe. This can happen in an instant, with tragic results. Don’t let it happen to you.

Safety features of baby bath rings include a bar that goes between the baby’s legs to help hold the baby in place, and a back of some kind to support the baby as he sits. Some baby bath rings are adjustable for the size of the baby’s legs, and feature a non-slip seat area that conforms to the baby’s bottom (a saucer shape), and a seat belt. Be sure that any adjustable fasteners or seat belts are easy for you to open and close, since you will be lifting the baby up to wash his bottom half.

Baby bath rings have different means of keeping them secured to the bathtub itself. Some have an arm that secures over the side of the tub. Before purchasing this type of bath ring, measure your bathtub side to ensure it will fit. Others have suction cups or non-stick pads on the bottom. None of these is secure enough for you to move away from the baby at any time. Think of them as conveniences rather than safety devices and you’ll have the right idea.

Some baby bath rings have attached toys to keep the baby entertained while you do the washing. These are a good idea and can be helpful at times if your baby is very squirmy and needs something to do. Consider this feature if you don’t want your baby reaching for floating toys, but instead playing with something right near him.

It's best to avoid inflatable bath rings, because these need a larger amount of water in the tub to work properly. A seat-style bath ring can be used with less water, making things safer for your baby.