Every new mom will tell you that bringing a baby into the world is hard work. You'll face lists upon lists and one shopping trip after another, never seeming to check off all the items.
Most of these items will have to do with either convenience or safety. Both are necessary if you plan on keeping your mind in the right place when the baby comes home. Today, I'll lend you a hand with one of the essentials – baby bath thermometers.
These little contraptions aren't for every mom, but some will find it gives them peace of mind during every bath.
Let's take a look at some of my favorite brands of baby bath thermometers and their useful features, so you have an easier time choosing when you hit the shops.
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Best Baby Bath Thermometers: My Picks
Below, you'll find my list of the best bath thermometers for parents and their babies. Remember that no product is ideal, though, and that you should try and test to find the one that works best for you.
1. Munchkin Inflatable Swan Tub
If you're looking for an all-in-one solution to make bathtime fun and safe at the same time, this swan tub will become your best friend.
Features
This tub is a thermometer at the same time, and I bet your children will enjoy bathing in a big swan. All you need to do for it to start measuring the temperature is to pour in water – it activates and deactivates by itself.
The spot which measures warmth will be blue if your water is just right and show the word HOT if you make it too warm.
When it comes to safety and ease of usage, the design is fantastic. You'll find suction cups to secure the base and a plug for draining the water. It comes with minimal water capacity and anti-slip grooves to cater to children and parents at the same time.
Customer Feedback
Children are in love with this tub, and parents find that bathtime becomes much less of a chore once they get it. Still, as some parents said, it seems more straightforward to get a plain thermometer to add to your regular tub.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Kids love it
- Easy to store and move
- Super secure and safe
Cons
- Not for newborns
- Difficult to clean
- Bends easily
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This model is one of the best thermometers without any confusing bells and whistles that you'll find on the market. NUK is one of the most trustworthy, reputable manufacturers of baby products in the world, and this one doesn't disappoint, either.
Features
This no-frills thermometer for baths' only use is to keep the temperature of the water safe. It's different from many others out there, using natural canola oil to determine the heat.
When it comes to design, this little device is resistant to shattering and retains its shape even after spending a lot of time in the water. Although it's a thermometer only, it has fish drawings on it for aesthetic points, and it's safe to use for all ages.
Customer Feedback
The parents who wanted no fuss in their devices enjoyed this one. It's as simple as these devices come, but still functions quite well.
The complaints related to it were that it shows the temperature in Celsius only, that it doesn't come with hot/cold alarms, and that it's too simple at times.
Pros
- Natural canola oil for measuring temperature
- Shatterproof and retains shape
- Simple and easy to use
- Looks nice
Cons
- Only Celsius display option
- No alarms so you have to check the temperature by yourself
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Having a baby is not cheap, and Munchkin understands that. They brought this product to the market to please the parents who want a device with several uses that doesn't break the bank.
Features
This rubber duck-looking thermometer is super simple in its features and design alike. It's a small gadget that requires no switching on and off or changing batteries.
Still, despite its simplicity, this duck has several purposes. It makes for a safe tub toy, resistant to water and mildew, and without any sharp edges to the delight of your baby.
The display will tell you when the temperature of the room or the water is too hot by spelling out HOT – it's as simple as that.
Customer Feedback
Parents who were seeking a budget-friendly choice to introduce them to the world of bath thermometers enjoyed this choice by Munchkin. It does a decent job comparable to much pricier models.
However, many parents soon wanted to change to something more reliable than a device that only tells you whether the water is hot or cold.
Pros
- Double use thermometer
- Playful, child-friendly design
- Simple to use
- Resistant to water and mildew
- Excellent budget choice
Cons
- Doesn't show you the exact water temperatures
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4. B&H Baby Thermometer
What seems like a simple rubber duck at first turns out to be a bath and room thermometer, a bath toy, and a clock. B&H has put in a lot of effort to make their product useful for parents.
Features
This multi-usage device will alarm you in case the bathwater is too hot or too cold, delivering accurate, safe flashes and beeps. The display will tell you the exact temperature in Fahrenheit or Celsius, as well as the time.
The attractive rubber duck design consists of BPA-free plastics and ABS/PVC environment protective material. You'll need two batteries for it to work, but you'll get the first set with the device.
Customer Feedback
Users, in general, enjoyed this device very much. It's a fantastic device with several handy functionalities, and the children enjoyed playing with the ducky that flashes bright lights and beeps now and then.
However, the instructions for setting it up and switching between temperature options can be a bit confusing.
Other often mentioned negatives were that you need to store the device out of the water when you're not using it and that there's no automatic off switch. In the hustle following a bath, it's easy to forget, so it often remains on, reducing battery life.
Pros
- Alarms for high and low temperatures
- Display available in Celsius and Fahrenheit
- Doubles as a thermometer, bath toy, and a clock
- High-quality design and materials used
Cons
- No automatic turn off
- Confusing instructions
5. MotherMed Bathtub and Swimming Pool Thermometer
MotherMed put out this thermometer on the market to save traveling parents the worry when they leave home with their child. It's a small, compact device, durable yet lightweight.
Features
This gadget is small and swift, checking the water temperature once every five seconds to ensure it stays the ideal temperature throughout your bath.
Plus, it doubles as a toy, with its stingray design, smooth edges, and arches perfect for baby hands. To make things even better, it also serves as a room thermometer.
MotherMed also made this device energy-efficient. Its long battery life and automatic shut-off after 30 minutes increase its longevity and reduce power spending.
The display is simple – it shows you the temperature in Fahrenheit and two words, HOT and COLD, so you don't have to think about numbers too much.
Customer Feedback
The parents who used this device love the compact design and triple functionality of MotherMed's thermometer. It also saves energy, which is always a bonus. If you're not used to Fahrenheit temperatures, though, you could have a problem, as it doesn't display Celsius temperatures.
Moreover, many people gave negative feedback on the battery cover, saying that it doesn't always stay closed, so be careful if you go for this model.
Pros
- Small, light, and portable
- Design great for children to grip and play
- Light flashing alarm for showing temperature
- 12-month-long battery life
- Triple use – bath and room thermometer and a bath toy
Cons
- Displays temperature only in Fahrenheit
- Battery cover issues
Features to Look for in a Baby Bath Thermometer
When it comes to your ultimate choice, it's all about personal preference. You may want simplicity or all the features available in a single gadget.
The market has both cases covered, so all you need to do is pick. Even if your decision ends up based on aesthetic preferences, it's all good.
The only must is that the thermometer functions well and shows correct temperatures. However, if you find the choosing process all too confusing, here are five features that make for an excellent device.
Usage Possibilities
Think about this – do you want a device to take temperature readings, or are you hoping to get a several-in-one product?
Many brands offer multiple uses of thermometers, gadgets which double as clocks, sponge holders, or room thermometers. So, if you're more into functionality than simplicity, look for those.
Design
A high-quality design has a foundation in functionality, appearance, and longevity. When deciding, these factors are a good starting point.
Cleaning
Bath scum can be nasty, and even more so when your baby pees in the water. Check the cleaning instructions before you buy them. Plus, if you can get a product pre-treated using an antibacterial product, do it. Those last longer while requiring minimal cleaning.
Display Options
There are as many display options as these are models. Consider whether you'd like to see a particular number (and if yes, in Celsius or Fahrenheit), or color would be good enough.
The LCD options offer more when it comes to functionality, but can be more stressful to use. Color-changing models are reliable, too, but not if you're striving for a specific temperature.
The Fun Factor
In the end, remember that you're buying something to use when bathing your baby. You might want it to be a bath toy as well, or to contain flashing lights. Both you and your little one will have much more fun if you remember not to take the device too seriously.
FAQs About Baby Bath Thermometers
Finally, I'll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this little device to help clear up any misconceptions you may have.
Is It Safe?
When you're bathing your baby, you need to ensure that the temperature of the bathwater is above 100F to prevent either burning or chilling the baby.
Testing the temperature with your elbow is a plausible alternative, but a baby bath thermometer is the best way to ensure the ideal conditions. Also, remember that the perfect temperature depends on the baby – yours may have preferences.
Either way, it's vital to get the water temperature close to that of your body, as babies aren't very good at regulating their body heat.
What Choices Do I Have?
There are so many types of thermometers out there with all sorts of extra functions. While this is great, it makes your choice much more difficult.
Some of the main types you'll come across include the following:
- Drain covers – you place these over the plughole, and they change colors to show the water temperature.
- Spout covers – these encase the spout of your faucet and have a digital display.
- Floating – these usually come as bath toys with color-changing spots or digital displays.
- Submersibles – stick these to the base of your tub using the suction cup. They also come in color-changing options and with digital displays.
- Heat-sensitive mats – imagine your ordinary non-slip bath mat, but with heat sensitivity. These will change colors to show you the temperature.
- Cards – this is the most discreet of the devices which resemble a card with a crystal display. Stick it to the side of your bath.
- Built-in – nowadays, some tubs come with built-in thermometers, so you don't need to think about separate purchases.
What Material Is the Best?
Most bath thermometers you'll come across, for babies or otherwise, consist of plastics with built-in batteries. In general, as long as you go for a safe kind of plastic, this is an excellent, inexpensive choice.
How Else to Ensure the Right Temperature?
Apart from the temperature of the water itself, the room temperature is another factor at bathtime. Both your child and yourself will stay calm if you maintain the body temperature of your baby.
Be sure to swirl the water around to avoid hotspots and set the room temperature to a cozy heat of up to 75 degrees Fahrenheit for the best conditions.
Other Ways to Keep a Bath Safe
Apart from keeping the water temperature right, there are other things you can do to ensure a happy, secure bath. Stay with your baby at all times and keep one hand on the child even if you turn away.
You could add a non-slip bath mat, too, to ensure your baby doesn't slip while bathing. Make sure that the shampoo, soap, and everything else in the bath is non-toxic. Finally, check that no bath toy comes with small parts.
Verdict
Remember that babies have soft and tender skin, which is much more sensitive to temperatures than yours. Even if you decide to use another method for checking the bathwater temperature, be careful to avoid discomfort for your baby.
There are many handy devices for you to choose from – I named only a few. If they end up doubling as a bath toy, it's a win-win. Keep your baby safe, and your mind at ease and enjoy those baths, as they're a precious time.