Baby Bath Seats - safe or not?

Hi


Baby is now 6+ months and prefers to be in the big tub to the baby bath.


We were given a baby bath seat - the type with suction cups at the botome.


We usually take a bath with him or lean over the side of the tub and swish him around in the bath. Sometimes we just shower him or shower with him.


We use the seat so he can sit up a bit and play, and to wash his hair. But we are always right there.


I have noticed that the suction cups somtimes come off, and that when we lift him out, his leg easily gets caught on the seat.


Then I read this article:

http://www.drgreene.com/21_1701.html


Where Dr Greene discusses how dangerous baby bath seats are.


"According to the October 16, 2003 CPSC release, “it has become increasing clear that the use of suction cups as the primary means of stabilizing bath seats was a design error. A caregiver was present in 51 of the 115 tipovers (both fatal and non-fatal). These incidents cannot be blamed on a lack of supervision. There is a product problem.” The same is true for the leg holes, “In over half of the 21-entrapment/submersion incidents (fatal and non-fatal) a caregiver was present. Again, a lack of supervision is not the problem.” Therefore, the CPSC has proposed mandatory testing of bath seats to ensure stability and safe leg openings."



Questions:


1. Are baby bath seats dangerous?

2. How do you bathe your baby when they groww out of baby bath tub, but can't sit or stand well yet?

3. Any tips to young baby bath time?

I have been using one of those seat for my now 7-month old for a while now -- maybe 3 months. it makes it much easier for me because my boys can take a bath together and play together in the tub. The suction cups on the bottom of my little tub seem very secure though. The seat does not move.


I used this tub before he could sit well as well. He just leaned on the back initially. However, before he could sit well, I always kept a hand on him to supoprt him.


I think it's an individual thing. I just make sure I am totally vigilant, that the bath times are no longer than he is happy playing, that the water is not too deep and that he is in after and out before his older brother.


Maybe this is not too helpful, but I happen to think that you can find reports stating absolutely anything. Don't let this scare you. There are bath seat that hook onto the side of the larger tub -- maybe this is better for you if you are concerned? I just do not have the space.


And, though this does not make them safer, per se, I don't know anyone who does not use a bath seat. Personally, I think it extends the bathing time and enables my boys to play.


Good luck!

Thanks Kooni - I saw the article and it did confirm some of the things we have experienced.


Then I thought, well they sell baby walkers in HK but they are banned in other countries... so I thought maybe 'everyone knows bath seats are bad except for me'!


What are the alternatives to the suction cup or over the side of the bath seats?

What do most people do:

Bathe with baby?

Bathe baby alone and lean over tub?

Use bath seat with parent or without parent in tub?

Thanks Cara...


Needless to say, tonight I hopped in the tub, without the bath seat.


Thank you both for confirming that we are not doing anything super dangerous by using the bath seat sometimes.

Bottom line is do what you feel is appropriate.


You can choose to believe what you read or you can choose to follow the rest of the parents out there who use bath seats. The article you reference says some babies drowned because of bath seats. I wonder how many babies drown while their parents take them "swimming".


I personally don't see how a bath seat is any more of a health risk than putting your baby in a shower or bathtub in the first place.

if I am not wrong, one baby seat (or kind of baby ring?) was taken out of the market after different accidents had occured.. the main problem being that some moms thought it was secure and left their baby unattended..

so bottom line being.. not to leave such a baby bathing alone !!