Changing Table and Bath time Essentials

AugustGlass · February 2014

Brought to you by the fact that Honest Company is on Zulily today:

What are your changing table and bath essentials for baby? Some things I'm not sure where to start (buy several diaper rash creams and see what works best?) some things I have no idea if we actually need (baby bubble bath?) so I figured I'd start a post and see what all everyone else uses.

MissLadyTay · February 2014

We are super minimalist. We bought a Summer Infant bath sling that goes in the big tub and then hangs to dry. We use California baby soap/shampoo and then lotion. Desitin diaper cream or A&D. Vaseline on the bum as needed. Regular adult wash cloths and towels. I didn't want to have separate kid and grown-up towels and such - we have one linens closet. If one of those products doesn't work for this baby I will try something else.

Ladiebug710 · February 2014

I wouldn't stock up on a lot of anything to start. It is good to have a few tubes of product around to see what you like before you buy a lot of one thing. I like the Bodreaux's butt paste because it doesn't have a smell. I really don't like the way Desitin smells, even though it works just fine. When DS was fresh and new he didn't really need a diaper rash cream, just some ointment as a skin protectant was fine, like petroleum jelly or aquaphor.

I've never used bubble bath, just the head to toe body wash and baby lotion. You really don't need a lot of stuff, and the store is never that far away if you realize you need something else.

I do like the baby washcloths, I think they are easier to get into baby's skin folds than regular adult cloths. And LO was bathed in the sink for months, I find it to be a huge back saver compared to putting a baby bath in the tub.

spacepotatoes · February 2014

We registered for a tub and two different gift sets of toiletries - one is the typical Johnson and Johnson stuff, the other is a natural line of products (I think it's called Earth Mama Angel Baby). Between the two of those, hopefully we'll find a combination of things that work.

I have no idea about the diaper cream either, we might end up crossing that bridge when we get there. If you are cloth diapering, you can't use the same type of creams you'd use on disposables so I haven't looked into all of those options yet.

ThereBeDragons · February 2014

I already use a lot of baby friendly soaps and lotions as I have super sensitive skin. I'm not going to worry too much about separate baby supplies. You don't need to lather a baby up head to toe with soaps when all they've done is spit up a little. A little water and a wash cloth (with application of soap only as needed and only where needed) gets baby clean without stripping clean skin of oils. Baby has a good chance to share my eczema issues, so her skin will be treated with kid gloves right from the start.

I did register for a baby bathtub- the kind that goes in the kitchen sink and is easier on the back- and baby size washcloths/hooded towels. But if I don't get the towels, I probably won't bother buying on my own. They're nice to have, but optional.

awc1986 · February 2014

We have a baby bath and support sponge. We need the sponge because we have no idea what we're doing and are over cautious.

We also have a pot of all-over antiseptic cream and a bottle of baby bubble bath. They're both brands that our families have used going back generations, so it's more of a nostalgia thing really. I don't want to spend too much on things like that at the moment because I don't know how her skin will react. DH and SIL have bad eczema, so we'll have to wait and see if LO does too.

RachelCA29 · February 2014

I feel like baby toiletries are something you will end up with a ton of from your baby shower (if you are having one). Little gift sets with stuff like that are popular gift items (from what I remember, my sister ended up with quite the haul from her shower). That would be a good start so you can "test out" a few brands and see what does/doesn't work, and then stock up on what you and baby likes.

I would be hesitant to buy stuff in advanced, as others have mentioned, because you just don't know what will work for your baby. And also, no use spending money on that when you potentially get it as gifts.

mmks · February 2014

We have the Puj tub and loved it for our son. I threw out his old baby tub that went in the big tub b/c it had so many crevices that it was always moldy - yuck! I've also thrown out most of the squirt toys since they always seem to harbor mold. Don't think I'll get another tub for this baby. We'll use the puj and then put him/her in the big bath tub.

We're also very minimal about bath stuff and I'm increasingly 'crunchy' about what touches me and my kiddos. We use the Episcential (spelling?) brand of baby wash and I make a baby oil for my son instead of using lotion. We use coconut oil on minor diaper rashes mostly b/c it is cloth diaper friendly, but do have some Burt's Bees for worse rashes.

chillypenguin · February 2014

We started off with just a few things and made adjustments as needed. We use Aveeno bath products with DD, she has really bad eczema so we switched to the Aveeno Soothing Relief line. We used Mustela Foaming Newborn Shampoo because she had cradle cap, but kept using it because it rinses out very easily. Never used baby bubble bath. Ditto what PP said, we don't use squirt toys because they can get moldy (although I have read that you can plug the holes with a hot glue gun to prevent that).

Changing table.. We just started out with Desitin and it works great for her. Definitely prefer the purple tube to the blue, I think it works much better. We use Aquaphor sometimes if she has diarrhea or something so she doesn't get a rash, but we typically don't use anything unless she is getting a little red.

We ditched the Fisher Price baby bath tub when she was a couple months old and got this one. It's really big, but she fit so much better on the infant side. She didn't slide around, so I could actually use 2 hands to wash her instead of trying to hold a slippery baby. The older baby side is great too, we actually used it until she was like 15 months (and she would still fit).
https://www.buybuybaby.com/store/product/Eurobath-by-Primo/1014909478?Keyword=primo+eurobath

chillypenguin · February 2014

@aimee223
No problem! It is definitely a big baby tub, but worked great. We started using it when she was a few months old, but will use it from the beginning with this one. The FP tub we had just had a little ledge seat (and a sling that I hated), and she would arch her back and start floating down into the bottom of the tub. This one has supports on both sides of the baby and at the bottom so they don't slide down.

bumpuser9353653 · February 2014

You will get a ton of bath stuff at your shower, so unless you want something specific, I wouldn't buy or register for anything b/c people love buying baby bath sets.

Coconut oil is great for CDs and just in general for sensitive skin rashes. I didn't like Butt Paste but my mom bought us some Calendula products (cream, oil, etc.) and those work well too. Johnson&Johnson tends to dry out DD's skin, so we use Aveeno Baby products and they are great.

No need for bubble bath until they are old enough to sit and play in the tub. We have a baby bathtub that we used for a while and then around 10months or so, we stuck her in a laundry hamper in the tub so we didn't have to fill up the whole tub (and the holes in the hamper keep it from filing up too far).

tjkdlhb · February 2014

We used a hand-me-down tub... but the bathroom sink would have worked as well. Now that she's bigger and more mobile, we put her in the regular tub, but in a laundry tub, so that her toys stay close to her and she doesn't try to move around as much.

As for other 'essentials' we used Earth Mama Angel Baby at first. We just finished the 2nd bottle. That stuff lasts forever! I bought some Dr. Bronner's baby mild to dilute and refill the EMAB foaming pump because it's cheaper ($15 for 1 litre which is then diluted by 3/4 or so) and I don't need to order it online. I use it for both shampoo and body wash.

We were gifted some baby towels, but really, the ones that you would use for your hair are fine... if they happen to be closest we grab those. Believe it or not, baby will survive if there isn't a hood.

Change table essentials for us: (we CD) Dry facecloths that we wet as we use them for wipes. CD safe cream. (honestly... even the change table isn't an 'essential' if you are on a budget... a towel on the floor works just as well) A pail liner/wetbag. A towel or change pad on top of the table.

momthatlifts · February 2014

I was told most things they tell you to get is mainly for luxury and money purposes. Because we are going to be in a one bedroom my changing table will be connected to my pack n play and I just have basics. Baby wipes, diapers, and still need to get rash cream but I might try coconut oil since I heard it works well and I can use it for other things be a use it lasts forever. And I got a baby bath as a gift and a tub side stool that has little caddys on the side to hold bathing stuff. I bought Johnsons head to toe. Baby wash and a little loofah. I have wash clothes and a baby towel. That's about it. When she gets bigger I will get her some toys and bubble bath for fun

yvanehtnioj · February 2014

AugustGlass said:

Brought to you by the fact that Honest Company is on Zulily today:

What are your changing table and bath essentials for baby? Some things I'm not sure where to start (buy several diaper rash creams and see what works best?) some things I have no idea if we actually need (baby bubble bath?) so I figured I'd start a post and see what all everyone else uses.

I like @MissLadyTay's idea of not having separate kid/adult towels. In theory. But I don't know if I can resist those cute little hooded duck towels! I already have a ton of baby washcloths because those things are magic on my face.

FWIW I registered for the "Whale of a Tub" on amazon and will buy it regardless. It was cute, cheap, and had a ton of good reviews. I just can't imagine feeling comfortable handling a slippery, floppy baby in my kitchen sink. And I plan on using unscented Dr. Bronner's to cleanse and simple skincare oils to moisturize as needed.

danabsd · February 2014

In the tub J&J Shampoo (the blue one) started with Aveno but I felt like it her hair oily and the yellow body wash.

On the changing table Desitin, we much preferred it to Butt Paste. Pink J&J lotion, also started with Aveno wasn't a fan. Little Remedies saline drops and Gas drops in the beginning, Baby Vicks, Nosefrida and various toiletries. This was great for starter toiletries.

https://www.target.com/p/safety-1st-deluxe-healthcare-grooming-kit-white/-/A-12873028?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=|12873028&CPNG=Baby&kpid=12873028&LID=PA&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=12873028&gclid=CMOf3p_Z1rwCFU1bfgodZhQATg

danabsd · February 2014

JKBMA2014 said:

I was told most things they tell you to get is mainly for luxury and money purposes. Because we are going to be in a one bedroom my changing table will be connected to my pack n play and I just have basics. Baby wipes, diapers, and still need to get rash cream but I might try coconut oil since I heard it works well and I can use it for other things be a use it lasts forever. And I got a baby bath as a gift and a tub side stool that has little caddys on the side to hold bathing stuff. I bought Johnsons head to toe. Baby wash and a little loofah. I have wash clothes and a baby towel. That's about it. When she gets bigger I will get her some toys and bubble bath for fun

Coconut oil can be used to prevent rashes but if one forms you'll want Desitin or something similar around.

danabsd · February 2014

Am I the only one who gave up the baby bath as soon as the kid could sit up? One of use would just get in the tub with her, it worked well that way. H loved to do it because they got quality time every night.

ABColeslaw · February 2014

triple paste. You'll want some on hand for very bad rashes.

Allibob · February 2014

@danabsd We still used the bigger side of the baby tub (we have the whale tub from Target) for awhile after she could sit up. It took a lot more water & time to fill up the regular tub, so we sat the baby tub in the regular tub until she started trying to crawl out of it.

My bath essentials are tear free shampoo/body wash (we like CA baby or Burt's Bees), baby washcloths and aquaphor for dry spots. We got some hooded towels as gifts, but use regular towels too.

For the changing table I have a jar of coconut oil for redness, the higher concentration zinc oxide cream (generic Desitin) for bad rashes, and more baby washcloths with a peri bottle to wet them for wipes.

dragossoul84 · February 2014

For diaper stuff we use CJ's BUTTer I love it and would recommend them to everyone. We use the diaper cream and the carcass cleaner for wipe solution. For bath products we burts bees or episencial. My son loves his snuggly lotion

boymum2014 · February 2014

From working at a day care & using many different diaper creams on the kids-Aveeno worked best & we would always use it on any bad rashes. Also, disposable changing pads are great to get out if the baby has an explosion it's so much easier to throw everything away. I like small bath tubs bc when you use mesh ones you have to fill the whole bath it seems like a waste

Xath · February 2014

We got this tub and loved it. My mom suggested it because it sits level with the edge of a regular tub, so you don't break your back leaning down into the tub to bathe LO. The green part comes out and fits well in a kitchen sink for the early baths. Then the base becomes a step stool when LO is older.

For soap, we started with J&J head to toe baby wash and never looked back. Got some as a gift at the shower, and it worked well for him.

Washcloths: We have a ton, different brands from all over the place, but my favorite by far are from Swaddle Designs. The quality is amazing; they've stayed super soft and never shrunk or lost their shape after years of use. Also they're made in the US. A little pricy, but they're worth it quality-wise.

For teenie baby baths, I found it helpful to have an extra-large terrycloth to wet with warm water and cover the baby with so he didn't get cold while I washed other parts. It's kind of like this. I found one on clearance at Target and we used it for the first 5-6 months. But you could just as easily use a large washcloth for the same effect.

We've never used bubble bath (DS doesn't really appreciate it) or lotion. Once he started to play in the bath, his favorite toys were (and are) nesting cups with holes in them and his Green Toys tugboat.

spinsoffresonance · February 2014

We bathed DD in the kitchen sink for 6months. We used the blooming bath https://www.bloomingbath.com . We received one baby towel and a set of washcloths as a gift, for the most part we used our towels. We didn't use any soap for a couple months, just a little bit of shampoo. We use california baby super sensitive shampoo and body wash. We're still on our first bottle and DD is 15m old. Once she started sitting up we transitioned to our bathtub. I get in the bath with her, makes things easier. We started using california baby bubble bath when she was actually hanging out and playing in the tub. Got bath toys around 1 year old. We have mustela body lotion but rarely use it, I also like mustela face lotion and mustela sunscreen and after sun spray in the summer.
For diapering got pampers diapers, pamper sensitive wipes, mustela diaper rash cream when needed worked the best for us. In the beginning when Dd was pooping constantly we used Vaseline with every diaper change.

LoveIsAll25 · February 2014

Bathtub: I used the Fisher Price Rainforest Tub. I liked it because after I was done using it I would hang it up in the bathroom to dry. https://www.diapers.com/p/fisher-price-rainforest-friends-tub-836192

Soap: I used Johnson and Johnson. I also used Dove Sensitive Skin Unscented. My DH has very sensitive skin and our pediatrician said we could use the same soap for the baby.

Lotion: Johnson and Johnson or Palmers Coco Butter.

Diaper Ointments: I used Aquaphor after every diaper change to protect his skin. When he had a diaper rash I would first apply zinc oxide ointment from walgreens and then I would apply Desitin Maximum Strength.

danabsd · February 2014

LoveIsAll25 said:

Bathtub: I used the Fisher Price Rainforest Tub. I liked it because after I was done using it I would hang it up in the bathroom to dry. https://www.diapers.com/p/fisher-price-rainforest-friends-tub-836192

That's the one we had too. It was great for the short time we used it.

Jillzy86 · February 2014

Just found out from some nurse friends of mine all work in the NIC U at different hospitals in StL, MO that they are no longer carrying or supporting Johnson and Johnson product due to the chemicals used in there products.
As a FTM I'm going to try Burt's Bees and see how that goes.

Lild09 · February 2014

A while ago everyone was talking about this product that is a no rinse wash and works wonders for neck and face clean ups between baths...I remember looking into it and the other products in their line and planning on going with that. Of course I can't seem to find the note I wrote it down on...anyone know the name? I'm thinking it starts with a M?

spinsoffresonance · February 2014

Lild09 said:
A while ago everyone was talking about this product that is a no rinse wash and works wonders for neck and face clean ups between baths...I remember looking into it and the other products in their line and planning on going with that. Of course I can't seem to find the note I wrote it down on...anyone know the name? I'm thinking it starts with a M?

@lidl09 its mustela physiobebe no rinse cleansing fluid. I have it too. It's really nice although most of the time I just use water.

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