Best Bath Time for New Parents

The most versatile baby tub for all stages. Skip Hop's Moby tub has a mesh sling for newborns, a padded recline for sitters, and works as a regular tub for toddlers. The drain plug and hook make storage easy, and it grows with your child.

The sink-bath approach without the plastic tub. PandaEar's petal pad conforms to your sink and holds a newborn at counter height, which spares your back during the weeks when bathing is a two-person job. It goes in the washer and the dryer, which matters more than it sounds. It is a short-lived product by design — you will move to a real tub around six months — so treat it as a fourth-trimester convenience rather than a year-one purchase.

The cradle cap solution that actually works. FridaBaby's silicone brush gently exfoliates cradle cap flakes during bath time. Pair it with coconut oil and you'll see results in days. Every new parent needs this $10 tool.

The gentlest baby wash that's also widely available. Burt's Bees tear-free formula uses plant-based cleansers and is 98.9% natural. No sulfates, parabens, or phthalates. It smells subtly good without being perfumy, and the pump bottle is convenient.

The baby towel you'll actually want to display. Mushie's organic cotton hooded towels are gorgeous, incredibly soft, and absorbent. They're the towels that make bath time feel special — and they photograph beautifully for those inevitable baby bath photos.