Baby bath mats are a great way to prevent your little one from slipping when they're in the bath, which will make bath time a lot more fun for you both. Just like baby thermometers, they help to keep bath time safe.
Bath time is a great bonding experience for you and your baby and an important part of their night-time routine. However it can be worrying having your baby in the bath once they outgrow their baby bath or seat, and a bath mat is a great way to help keep them feeling secure.
The mixture of water and soap can create a slippery tub, even if your little one is sat still. A baby bath mat will add a layer of protection between your precious bundle of joy and the slippery bathtub.
Our favourite baby bath mats shortlist 2023:
• Our favourite overall baby bath mats: Homerella Children's Bath Mat
• Our favourite baby bath mats with accessories: MATRIOSKA Bath Show Mat for Babies
• Our favourite mould resistant baby bath mats: TOPSKY Non Slip Bath Mat
These anti-slip mats will ensure your little one doesn't move around, and they'll be able to splash and enjoy playing with their favourite baby bath toys, without the fear of slipping.
Best overall baby bath mats
Description
Who knew a bath mat could look so good? The Homerella Children's Bath Mat is not only beautifully designed, but it ticks all the right boxes. It's long, comfortable for little ones to sit on, and has lots of suction cups on the base to keep it secured. It's machine washable, and even comes with two hooks to hang it up to dry and store.
One review said: "Almost prettier in real life. Love it! Thick quality, amazing and colourful print. Smelly in the first few days like the most new plastic things you purchase. Machine washable. Great adhesive tape hooks. Very appealing packaging. Absolutely suitable as a gift. Nothing bad to say at all. Very satisfied! I’d purchase this again in the future for sure!"
Pros
- Two hooks included to allow mat to dry properly
- Machine washable
- Mould resistant
Cons
- Some mentioned it was a bit smelly in the first few days after opening
Best contempory baby bath mats
Description
The Munchkin Dandy Dots Non Slip Bath Mat features a contemporary look whilst keeping your child safe at bath times. It has powerful suction cups to keep it in place, and a textured grip surface to add extra anti-slip measures.
One review said: "Great size and suction. Looks really nice and my daughter loves pointing to the colours and telling me them. Rinse after every use and hang up to dry and never had any problem with mould."
Pros
- Slip resistant suction cups
- Textured grip surface
Cons
- Some mentioned the dots came off if not left to dry properly
Best baby bath mats with accessories
Description
The MATRIOSKA Bath Shower Mat for Babies will stay securely fixed, thanks to its strong suction cups. It comes with five additional mini-bath mats for additional grip, but your little one will probably enjoy playing with the non-slip animals as bath toys
One review said: "I have tried a couple of different bath seats for my child, but none of them suited. I decided to try this mat and it has been brilliant. I have been using it now for a few months and my son is now 9 months old. He doesn't slip in the bath now. he can lean forward to get things and he has been fine. The suction is brilliant. Once its down you can't slide it to move it's position at all. The only way it moves is if you physically pull it up and reposition it."
Pros
- Five mini character bath mats
- Strong suction base that doesn't move
Cons
- Some mentioned it smelled when first opened
Best machine washable baby bath mats
Description
This OTHWAY Baby Non-Slip Bath Mat is made from eco-friendly PVC and non-slip rubber. It has suction cups on the bottom to keep it secured to the bath and also features a colourful fish design. It is machine washable so you can keep it looking fresh and clean.
One review said: "Brilliant mat for the bath, keeps my 1 year old from slipping and the colours entertain her. She will now point to the mat and say fish and gets excited to get in the bath. Cleans well and suction is brilliant."
Pros
- Non-slip suction cups
- Machine washable
Cons
- Some mentioned it can roll slightly
Best baby bath mats with bath toy
Description
The sealife theme of the iSagax Baby Bath Mat is super sweet!. The colourful creatures will keep your little one amused while the anti-slip surface will ensure a safe bath time. It also comes with a wind-up-and-swim turtle toy!
One review said: "Really nice, easy to clean and no mould etc. I would’ve liked it to be a bit longer as it only covers the centre of the bath"
Pros
- Ideal for baths or showers
- Made with eco-friendly material
Cons
- Some mentioned they'd like it to be longer
Best mould proof baby bath mats
Description
If your little one is fond of animals, they'll love the Topsky Non-Slip Bath Mat. It features a colourful design of much-loved zoo life. It has a textured surface that is designed to gently massage your baby too, while the suction base keeps it secured to the bottom of your bath.
One review said: "I waited to leave a review until I had used it for a while. We've had this bath mat for just over 6 months now. My son is autistic and has an obsession with water so it's used in the bath multiple times a day. It has been used everyday since receiving at least twice per day and not ONE bit of mould. There are many times I've had to just pull it up and fling it over the bath side to dry and still no mould. The design is lovely we couldn't be happier with it."
Pros
- Mould proof
- Anti-skid design
Cons
- Some mentioned that it struggles to stick at first due to being rolled up tightly on delivery
Best mildew resistant baby bath mats
Description
The Yolife Non-Slip Bath Mat is made using an antibacterial and mildew resistant material that is BPA, latex and Phthalate free. It can be rolled up and easily stored away when you're not using it.
One review said: "Absolutely love this bath mat. I've had a couple now and the suction always comes off. These stay on and it it easy to clean and put aside. I wish it was longer so it covered the whole bath, now thinking of getting a second one. It's not sloppy at all and little one loves the ducks. Definitely recommend"
Pros
- Antibacterial and mildew resistant
- High-strength suction
Cons
- Some wished it was longer
How to keep baby safe during bath time
Never leave your baby unattended
Your baby should always be within arm's reach. If your little one is a newborn, your hands should always be on them as they can't sit independently. You may want to pop your newborn into a bath seat to give them more stability.
Make sure the water temperature is not too hot or too cold
As babies are unable to regulate their temperature, it is important to keep the water warm enough that your baby doesn't get cold. You also need to make sure the water isn't too hot as it could scald your little one. Around 37-38 degrees is the perfect temperature.
Keep the water shallow
Unlike the baths we might draw for ourselves, baby baths don't need to be full to the top. The ideal amount of water for a baby bath is around two to three inches. You can keep your little one warm by using a cup to gently pour water over them.
Ensure the area stays slip-free
Bathtubs are notoriously slippy places. To keep your tub slip-free, you will want to use a baby bath mat from our list to give your baby a secure surface to bathe on. Thoroughly washing away soap and shampoo will eliminate any other slip risks.
Samantha Ball is a Product & Lifestyle Writer for Mother&Baby and freelanced for the website for two years before joining the team full time. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best products and cute outfits.