We have a baby bathtub at home that fits into our larger tub. When it came time to travel with our baby, I was left wondering how we could handle baby’s bath time. I knew that depending on where our travels took us, a bathtub may or may not be available. With a little research, I was happy to discover that there’s an easy solution!
A portable baby bathtub for travel was the perfect solution! It didn’t take me long to find that there were several great options to choose from when looking for baby bathtubs for travel.
One of the key things to remember when traveling with a baby is that babies love routine. Even when flying with a baby, incorporating parts of your normal routine will help keep your baby happy. Put Pjs on, read stories and sing songs, just like you would do at home. Since bath time was part of our baby’s daily bedtime routine, I knew it was essential to follow this even while traveling to get our infant to sleep.
With a travel bathtub for baby, it didn’t matter where we ended up, we could keep that routine similar and help those bedtimes go smoothly like at home.
Whether you are looking for an inflatable baby bathtub or collapsible baby bathtub, this list will help you choose the best baby travel bath for your family.
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12 Best Travel Bathtubs for Baby
One of the most popular inflatable travel bathtubs for baby, this adorable baby bathtub comes with an air-cushioned and padded interior to make sure that your baby has a safe and enjoyable bath time anywhere!
One of the best things about this inflatable baby bathtub is the saddle horn that fits right in between your infant’s legs to prevent them from slipping or sliding all over. Leave that part deflated for bigger babies or toddlers who are comfortable sitting up to provide more space in the tub.
Once you’re done with the bath, all you need to do is open the drain plug at the bottom for instant water release. It easily deflates and folds, making a quick bath time possible while on vacation.
This is one of the best baby bathtubs we’ve come across, and we have also added it to our list of must-have items to help baby sleep on vacation. It's recommended for babies and toddlers from 6 to 24 months old.
The Munchkin White Hot Inflatable Duck Tub makes your baby’s bath routine fun-filled and easier. This is because it allows you to skip the constant testing and guessing of the water’s temperature.
It has a convenient built-in White Hot technology that tells you exactly when the water is too hot for your baby's sensitive skin. With a textured, non-slip surface and padded interiors, this inflatable tub for toddlers and babies ensures that your little one can sit up and play without sliding under.
Recommended for babies and toddlers between 6-24 months, this award-winning portable baby tub is extremely easy to fill, drain, deflate and fold - making it ideal for travel. A plus point is the cute duck design that makes both you and your baby look forward to a fuss-free bath time.
If your toddler is an early sitter who needs extra support to stay upright, this soft, inflatable option is the best baby bathtub for them. It has a head pillow to lean back on, but also an anti-slip design saddle horn that anchors your toddler in place.
The side storage pocket can easily hold your baby’s shampoos and soaps, or even your phone and other small items so that your little one can receive your undivided attention. After your toddler’s bath, the drain valve quickly removes all the water. The little hook on the tub comes in handy when you want to hang it to dry or store it in compact spaces.
What’s more? It’s not just one-time, one-purpose use. You can convert this easy-to-clean tub into a ball-pit or sand-pit through any part of your travel or even while at home!
The Swimbobo Inflatable Baby Bathtub comes with several features for an easy-to-use travel baby bath. Designed with a wavy-textured bottom, it prevents your baby from slipping & increases comfort.
For tired parents after a long day of travel, the addition of a water plug makes draining water and cleaning the tub effortless. This portable baby bathtub comes with a small hook hole as well as a free, sticky hook to hang your bathtub to dry wherever you are.
Its non-toxic, durable surface and ease of setting up, packing, and storing make it an ideal baby travel bath.
This newborn to toddler fold-away inflatable bathtub is easy to transport, safe, and compact - one of the easiest for a family vacation.
Moms and dads, liberate your hands from constantly holding your baby up with the tub’s ergonomic design. The soft, slightly tilted backrest is comfortable enough for your baby to lie on, while the textured bottom and saddle horn keep your baby from slipping.
Once done, use the hook to hang it up and save space in your hotel bathroom.
What we love about this is that it comes with an air pump, so you can save yourself the extra effort of blowing air to inflate it. If your toddler is between 0-6 years, this would be a great travel carry-on to prioritize their comfort on your next trip!
This large inflatable travel bath for toddlers and babies comes with a slip-resistant feature both on the inside and outside to create an all-around safe environment for your baby’s bath time.
Designed for babies and toddlers between 0-3 years old, its inflatable raised section supports the baby around the legs, while the adjustable backrest design prevents your baby from rolling over. All you need to do is inflate or deflate the backrest according to the angle at which your baby can sit comfortably. The storage pouch on the side is ideal for holding your baby’s bath essentials.
Packed with a free pump, this durable baby travel bathtub provides the best value for money and is highly recommended by hundreds of traveling parents.
The Pawsky Inflatable Baby Bathtub is a great bath time accessory for traveling parents with babies or toddlers.
It is a lightweight, foldable baby bath that is completely hazard-free and convenient for your child. The free air pump and big drain plug make blowing it up and draining the water a simple and uncomplicated process. Check out the water-line demarcation to know exactly how much water it can hold.
Your traveling toddler’s routine is sure to be smooth sailing with this relaxing and cozy bath. And who says it is only perfect for on the go use? You can even use the bath to help your growing baby transition to bathtubs.
A bathtub that grows with your baby? The Summer Foldaway Baby Bath provides just that and more for the ultimate convenience in travel and storage.
It comes with an inclined positioner for newborns that can be removed as your baby grows older. The inflatable base with an extra soft cushion and skid-resistant vinyl is gentle on your baby's soft bottom.
As one of the top foldable baby bathtubs, it also has an air-filled liner that protects your baby and is an ideal bath time helping hand. Super easy to use, it provides just the right support and helps you bathe your babies with little to no fuss.
A flexible, lightweight, and easy to store bathtub for quick use, this folding portable baby bathtub provides the perfect depth for your baby to be bathed in safely. It comes with a fast drain bottom for a convenient water outlet without having to carry the tub and dump the water.
Parents will love including this in their baby or toddler travel essentials, as it is compact, folds flat, and can be easily stored.
The best part is that it accommodates even growing babies and is spacious enough for your little one to splash around and have an enjoyable bath time. It is an overall amazing solution for families traveling with babies!
One of the best portable baby bathtubs on the market is the Stokke Flexi Bath X-Large. This foldable baby tub ensures a comfortable fit even for children up to age six.
Create some shared bath time moments while traveling with your toddler in this lightweight yet sturdy bathtub. It comes with extra safety features such as a non-slip base and a heat-sensitive draining plug that changes colors as the water warms, indicating that the temperature should be checked. Storing it is super easy as it folds flat and takes up very little space.
It also comes with an attachment for Newborn Support, which keeps your baby safely out of the water and provides ergonomic support.
Great for indoor as well as outdoor use, this foldable bathtub for your baby is ideal for a trip to the beach, mountains, or anywhere in between.
If you’ve been looking for a portable baby bath for sinks, your search ends here. This Newborn Softspot Skip Hop Baby Sink Bather is perfectly sized to cradle newborns and infants and allows you to maintain their bath schedule even while traveling.
It has a soft terry surface and a padded tail which acts as a cozy backrest to protect your baby’s head. The cushioned design snugly fits in any sink space for a convenient, trouble-free bath time.
Made of a quick-drying material, it contains a mesh bottom that drains water quickly and a velcro strap for easy hanging. Its adorable ergonomic whale shape and plush material makes it extremely comfortable for babies and creates an easy bath time for parents!
If this isn't currently available, the Blooming Bath Lotus is another option. Though it might be a bit big to travel with depending on how much space you have.
This folding bath sling can be used in a sink, baby bathtub or even an adult tub. With a recline that can be adjusted to 3 different positions plus head support, you can easily give your baby a warm bath while traveling.
Though not as small when folded as an inflatable baby tub, it does still fold flat and can fit in a suitcase.
This one comes in a range of fun colors and patterns.
Another similar option is the Summer Infant Folding Bath Sling with Warming Wings.
How to Choose the Best Baby Bathtub for Travel
When starting the search for the best baby travel bathtub, consider what type of travel you’ll be doing. Will you primarily be doing road trips with baby or flying to your destination.
How you pack and how much room you have will have an impact on choosing the baby travel bath that works best for your family (don’t forget those travel size baby products for bath time!).
There are two main types of portable baby bathtubs: inflatable baby bathtubs and foldable baby bathtubs.
Inflatable Bathtub for Babies and Toddlers
An inflatable baby bathtub provides an enjoyable bath environment for your baby or toddler.
These inflatable baby travel bathtubs are easy to pack and can slip right into your suitcase, making them perfect for travel! Most of them are designed with a non-slip surface to ensure that your baby stays secure in one place, and a padded design to create a soft & comfy space for your baby to splash around in.
However, inflating your portable travel tub for each bath time can be a hassle. Even though most of them come with free air pumps, it’s one extra item to carry on your journey.
Also, make sure to pick easy-to-clean bathtubs. A clean and dry tub prevents mold from forming in crevices.
Foldable Baby Bathtub for Toddlers and Babies
A Foldable bathtub is a hassle-free baby travel bath to add to your baby travel essentials. These foldable bathtubs for babies and toddlers are quick to assemble and space-saving, so that you have a smooth travel experience while maintaining your baby’s daily routine.
While a foldable baby tub does fold down, it may not easily fit in your suitcase, or you may not have the additional room in your suitcase for a foldable baby bathtub.
We’d recommend a foldable baby travel bathtub for road trips and camping with a baby over a trip that involves air travel. It will be much easier to just store it in the trunk or any other small space.
Portable Baby Bathtub for Infants
If inflatable and foldable bathtubs can seem a little too big for your infant or newborn, a simple sink bather might be the solution for you.
They are compact, provide extra support for your baby, and come with an angled headrest that ensures your infants head remains above water level.
While traveling, you can use them to bathe your little one in almost any space that has a sink. Good options are this one or this one.
Other Ideas on How to Bathe Baby When Traveling
If you aren’t interested in packing your own travel bathtub for babies or toddlers, there are other options for bathing your baby when traveling:
- Take baby in with you
You can take your baby into the bath or shower with you. Though please use extreme caution if taking a shower, since your baby will be very slippery. - Use the hotel sink
The hotel sink can work in a pinch for giving your baby a quick bath. Line the tub with a towel to keep your baby from slipping. - Sponge bath
If none of the above options work, laying your baby on a towel and using a warm washcloth can be a good substitute for bathing your baby while traveling.
Always make sure you test the water temperature and err on the side of warm instead of hot for your baby’s sensitive skin.
Don’t Forget These Baby Bath Essentials
Here are a few other things to add to your baby packing list! These baby bath essentials are perfect for travel with a baby:
- Hooded Towel
- Tiny Traveler Bath & Skin Care Essentials
- Baby Bath Toys
- Bamboo Baby Washcloths
- Baby Sponge
Portable Baby Bathtub FAQs
How do you bathe a newborn when traveling?
To bathe a newborn when traveling, you have a few options:
1. Pack a portable baby bathtub for travel.
2. Take your infant in the tub or shower with you.
3. Use the bathroom sink, lined with a towel so your newborn doesn’t slip.
4. Lay out a towel and do a wipe down with a warm cloth.
What can I use instead of a baby tub?
Instead of packing a travel baby bathtub or renting one at your destination, you can take your baby in the shower with you, use the hotel room sink or use a warm washcloth.
How do toddlers shower in hotels?
If you are traveling with a toddler and want your toddler to shower in the hotel room, you can either shower with your toddler or sit your toddler on the shower floor. This works best if you can take down the shower head.
How do you bathe a baby when traveling?
To bathe a baby when traveling, you have a few options:
1. Pack a portable baby bathtub for travel.
2. Take your baby in the tub or shower with you.
3. Use the bathroom sink, lined with a towel so your baby doesn’t slip.
4. Lay out a towel and do a wipe down with a warm cloth.
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This post was written & edited by:
Celine is the owner of Baby Can Travel. Not only does she have years of experience traveling with babies & toddlers, but she's been helping new parents travel with their babies and toddlers for over a decade. In addition to writing on her baby travel blog, she has contributed to articles about traveling with a baby with the Washington Post, the Lonely Planet magazine and Pregnancy & Newborn magazine.
Celine also writes about family travel on the site FamilyCanTravel.com, which she co-owns with her husband. Being from the Canadian Rockies, she shares her passion about her home and travel to Banff National Park and area on their site TravelBanffCanada.com.