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Bucket Baths Make Babies Happy
March 26, 2009 1:27 PM
By AMMU KANNAMPILLY, ABC News London
Anyone who has spent time with a newborn knows how stressful bath time can be. Now a Dutch company has come up with a product that claims to “make bath time enjoyable from birth.”
Behold the Tummy Tub: It's a small bucket that parents can fill with warm water, allowing babies to enjoy a warm bath without fearing they'll drown. The makers say that the tub is “designed to replicate the comfort of the mother’s womb, and once in the Tummy Tub, babies naturally adopt the fetal position and instantly feel reassured and relaxed."
The manufacturer recommends filling the Tummy Tub with water that covers the baby’s shoulder, to keep the baby warm.
According to its maker, the Tummy Tub has been endorsed by maternity hospitals, physicians, midwives and child caregivers throughout Europe. But to many of us who grew up in countries where overhead showers were deemed exotic, the bucket bath for babies is hardly a new concept.
Still, there’s no denying that these seven babies in their seven Tummy Tubs make a very cute picture. And they don’t look unhappy either.
And while the Tummy Tub retails at about $36, you can buy an ordinary bucket for a lot less, making this a recession-friendly way to make your baby happy.
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March 26, 2009 in Ammu Kannampilly | Permalink | User Comments (36)
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Dumb
Posted by: Huh | Mar 26, 2009 1:44:14 PM
Cool! Bathtime was always a nightmare, and it's obvious they're afraid of drowning, of the water going over their head. This looks like a nice little product - and pretty cheap!
Posted by: SusanHelit | Mar 26, 2009 2:13:20 PM
Those are some adorable babies. The fat one on the far left is the best.
Posted by: MKW | Mar 26, 2009 2:32:25 PM
For the STRAIGHT DOPE on politics, sports and more, go to WWW.THESTR8DOPE.COM!
Weird.
Posted by: Ryan | Mar 26, 2009 2:45:05 PM
Dang, those babies are cute!
Posted by: Clint | Mar 26, 2009 2:52:19 PM
Ducth babies are plump! I dont think this is anything new. But cool anyway.
Posted by: Really? | Mar 26, 2009 2:52:41 PM
Those babies are so cute, I want to nibble their pudgy little cheeks!!
Posted by: Giggles | Mar 26, 2009 2:56:18 PM
Bathtime fun from birth?
I believe it. It looks like the babes are having fun. Nice idea; wish I thought of it first.
Posted by: Sean O'Brien | Mar 26, 2009 2:58:19 PM
So how in the world do you get into their creases to bathe them properly?
Also, how do you rinse them? Upend the tub with the baby in it and then refill?
Posted by: realistic | Mar 26, 2009 3:00:13 PM
After all the millions that have been spent through the years on baby bath tubs! :)
Posted by: Ken Topham | Mar 26, 2009 3:20:53 PM
uh, it's a plastic tub. "ooh, look at me, i re-invented the plstic tub, but i'm going to call mine the Tummy Tub". whatever.
Posted by: dewey | Mar 26, 2009 3:30:50 PM
you can get them at the 99cents store too, the tub- not thre little pudgie babies.
Posted by: Barbara | Mar 26, 2009 3:45:11 PM
why don't they mention the fact that you will use much less water with the bucket than filling a tub to that level. that seems like a big deal to me.
Posted by: steve | Mar 26, 2009 4:06:31 PM
They look like mop buckets. Wish I'd thought of it. This picture is too cute!
Posted by: FedUp | Mar 26, 2009 4:09:07 PM
HELLO BABBIES!!!
Posted by: Susan | Mar 26, 2009 4:13:22 PM
Really isn't any different than giving the kid a bath in the kitchen sink! Honestly now, how nighmarish can it be to bath a 12-15 lb. kid? They aren't going to run off from you!
Posted by: ConservativeGal | Mar 26, 2009 4:19:36 PM
Neat idea! (As long as parents/caregivers continue to watch the babies closely-- a baby should never be left unattended around even small quantities of water!)
Posted by: Dorothy | Mar 26, 2009 4:34:22 PM
Precious!!
I just hope that like the case in Brazil people will realize life is precious......sure the babies would have had to be taken very early, but they may have lived and went to a home with a mommy who really loved them.
Posted by: inhisimage | Mar 26, 2009 4:39:04 PM
What's wrong with getting in the tub with your baby? That's what I always did. When they were really little, I'd get in and my husband would hand them to me and have a towel ready for when they were done. When they got a little older, still under a year, my husband would get in with my son and I'd wait with the towel, so he could get some playtime in as well, although he never got in with my daughter. He didn't think that was appropriate. It was so easy to wash them and play with them that way. They were never afraid or crying when they were in the water. They loved their toys and they loved Mr. Bubble. We never used a baby bathtub of any kind. It seemed silly and unnecessary.
Posted by: andthegirlsaid | Mar 26, 2009 4:51:20 PM
My babys would look way better in that picture. But I think does kind of baby's like it better in the sink I know cause I have one like that
Posted by: Angie tenorio | Mar 26, 2009 5:04:43 PM
I think you've all missed the point - it's not about the tub. This is all about instant babies, just add water! See?
Posted by: sillyfool | Mar 26, 2009 5:08:54 PM
The baby on the bottom right is hung like a friggin horse, my God! Lucky kid!
Posted by: Jacques Dugger | Mar 26, 2009 5:14:33 PM
My babys would look way better in that picture. But I think does kind of baby's like it better in the sink I know cause I have one like that
Posted by: Angie tenorio | Mar 26, 2009 5:18:22 PM
My babys would look way better in that picture. But I think does kind of baby's like it better in the sink I know cause I have one like that but u don't think you need that bucket so your baby could enjoy there bath time it depends on how you make there bath time like you could play with them or out toys for them or something fun but don't need the bucket wow at least not my kids
Posted by: Angie tenorio | Mar 26, 2009 5:24:27 PM
Love the babies, they just put a huge smile on my face when i was feeling down...but they did research for this? Babies love bath time. the smaller the tub the better. Most moms know this I thought... oh well at least its a sweet picture with so many cuties.
Posted by: Cindy | Mar 26, 2009 5:38:57 PM
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