As a seasoned family traveler, I can tell you from experience that travel can be disruptive to a baby’s beloved routines. If a regular bath for your baby is part of your family routine, it can be a good idea to bring along a travel baby bathtub on your trip.
Not only will it help keep your baby clean, but it helps maintain a sense of normalcy for your child, which is important when taking them somewhere new.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends bathing your baby three times a week during their first year. If your family trip is longer than a few days, a travel baby bath will not only help maintain an important ritual for your baby, but will also help keep them healthy away from home. If bathing your baby is part of your child’s bedtime routine, it will help get your baby to sleep on vacation.
This post contains compensated links.
Best Travel Bathtubs for Baby
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.
My Top Pick
1. Mommy’s Helper Inflatable Baby Bathtub
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!
Has saddle horn to keep baby from sliding.
Drain plug at the bottom allows for instant water release.
Easily deflates and folds.
For babies and toddlers from 6 to 24 months old.
2. Munchkin White Hot Inflatable Baby Travel Bath
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.
With built-in White Hot technology to detect temperature.
Has textured, non-slip surface and padded interiors.
Easy to fill, drain, and fold.
Fuss-free bath time with cute duck design.
3. Stokke Flexi Bath X-Large
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.
Lightweight and sturdy.
Non-slip base and a heat-sensitive draining plug.
Fold flat and easy to store.
With attachment for newborn support.
4. Relaxing Baby Inflatable Baby Bathtub
This newborn to toddler fold-away inflatable bathtub is easy to transport, safe, and compact - one of the easiest for a family vacation.
Ergonomic design.
Has soft, slightly tilted backrest for comfort.
Non-slip with textured bottom and saddle horn.
With air pump for easy inflating.
5. Swimbobo Foldable Travel Bathtub
If your baby 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 baby in place.
Side storage pocket for extras.
Drain valve quickly removes all water.
Hook for hanging when you want to dry or store it in compact spaces.
Convert easy-to-clean tub into a ball-pit or sand-pit.
6. Intime Children Anti-slip Inflatable Baby Travel Bathtub
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.
Has inflatable raised section for baby support.
Adjustable backrest.
Pouch for storing baby essentials.
Includes free pump.
7. Swimbobo Inflatable Travel Bathtub for Baby
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.
Water plug for easy draining of water.
Has small hook hole for drying and hanging.
Non-stick and durable surface.
With free sticky hook
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.
There are two main types of portable baby bathtubs: inflatable baby bathtubs and foldable baby bathtubs.
Come Join Us!
We love answering questions in our Baby Can Travel Facebook group. Come ask all your baby travel related questions and share advice with other traveling parents!
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:
1. 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.
2. Use 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.
3. 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.
Portable Baby Bathtub FAQs
How do you bathe a newborn baby when traveling?
To bathe a newborn baby 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.
Have any questions? Put them in the comments and I will make sure every question gets answered!
Found this post useful? Share it with your friends!
This post was written & edited by:
Celine Brewer is the owner of Baby Can Travel. Not only does she have years of experience traveling with babies & toddlers, but she's helped millions of new parents travel with their babies and toddlers for over a decade. In addition to writing on her baby travel blog, she has shared her expertise on traveling with a baby or toddler by contributing to articles about traveling with a baby with the Washington Post, USA Today, 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.