WIN IT! and WTF? Follow Up: Tummy Tub

We've created so much fuss over the Tummy Tub we decided to give one away and let you (and your wee ones) decide for yourselves whether this baby bather is all that it's cracked up to be. Read through this What the Fuss? follow up, leave a comment and be entered for a chance to win your very own Tummy Tub.

WHAT THE FUSS? FOLLOW UP

We tried the Tummy Tub and stand back in July, when Leighton was only eight weeks old. It wasn't the best experience and I said as much in What the Fuss? Tummy Tub. I was contacted by the Tummy Tub distributor for the US, Janis McKellar, who found my review to be entirely too harsh and thought that I should have reached out to her for more info. Not in the mood to argue the validity of my thoughtful opinion, I agreed to give the Tummy Tub another shot.

Leighton and I purchased a brand new, original Tummy Tub on Amazon for $42.70 plus shipping. I avoided the stand this time because it was too tippy for my little jumping bean. Plus, it cost another $50 and $100 for a tub situation is a bit much. So, I skipped it. If you want to buy it or a curious in any way, here it is.

Janis did have a compelling response to my remarks on the price:

• Tummy Tubs are produced in Europe & Israel, as opposed to China. Everything is CPSIA compliant and has passed the highest safety standards.
• Tummy Tub plastic is the highest quality available.
• Standard infant tubs are often made of inferior quality plastic resulting in the purchase of more than one. Plus, standard tubs are only comfortable for a short period of time resulting in the purchase of a larger tub and/or toddler seat. The Tummy Tub can work for tots up to nearly two years of age.

Well-played Tummy Tub lady. I am never one to turn my nose up at products made from quality materials in fully developed countries. For the actual tub piece, $42.70 is not a bad price for a bathing device that goes from newborn to toddler.

Now, as far as utility, I will say that after using the Tummy Tub all week, I was often wet and it was hard to rinse Lei's head because I like to tip her back in the tub to avoid getting water in her eyes. As far as pooping in the tub, well ... she did that in the big tub this morning and admittedly, it would have been a hell of a lot easier to clean up if she had been in the Tummy Tub.

With regard to Leighton's Tummy Tub reviews they were mixed. When I first put her in it, she was interested and happy. But, I filled it up too high initially and had to "pause" her bath to remove some of the water. When I put her back in, she was mad at me, wouldn't sit down and abused me with a washcloth.

That's basically the story all week. If Lei was in a good mood, Tummy Tub time went fine. If she was cranky or tired ... not so much. See Happy Lei below.
 

In retrospect, I may have been a overly critical of the Tummy Tub in my initial review. This time around, Leighton found it rather enjoyable, for the most part. Plus, it's cute, conscientiously produced and a few readers commented that they love Tummy Tub. If the tub had a more practical stand, I would be inclined to try that too.

I think whether the Tummy Tub works for any family depends on both the parents and the child. As Janis remarked to me, "it boils down to what your priority is ... easy bathing experience for mom or dad or comfort for baby."  For me, it's both, and baby's comfort comes first. However, If baby isn't comfortable it may not work out.

Leighton and I may shelve the Tummy Tub, but I will definitely pull it out for another adventure if and when baby number two comes along.

This product review conforms to the Fuss Formula. 

WIN AN ORIGINAL TUMMY TUB

1. Leave a comment to this post telling us your favorite or least favorite thing about bath time.

2.  Comments close on 1/20 at 5PM CDT.

3. Your official comment posted during the specified time frame counts as an entry.

4. Your comment posted to the Facebook announcement of this giveaway will count as an entry too.

5. One comment will be selected as the winner.

6. Comments will each be assigned a number and winners will be chosen randomly using Random.org.

7. The winner will be announced on January 21, 2010.

8. The prize is one original Tummy Tub as pictured above. ($43 value)

GOOD LUCK!

Comments

[Traci]

Since Reagan has just started sitting up, the best part about bath time is watching her splash around in the water. We graduated to the big girl tub, but have this silly blow up duck thing (http://www.munchkin.com/products/detail.html?pID=168) that she also loves. Some times it sticks to her skin, so we don't always use that, but it feels safer then just sitting on a towel in the tub.

Other then that, I love the smell of her after she's all washed up. It's intoxicating.

[Daily Fuss]

If/when Reagan grows tired of the duck, google "baby bath seat" for a number of different, fun little chair-type seats. Leighton has been using one since right around six months and she still loves it. Plus, I feel safe without having to deal with a wet towel.

Thanks so much for sharing your fuss, and good luck with the drawing!

Jen

[Daily Fuss]

I just looked at the duck. FUN!

[DK]

We are probably past tummy tub stage (don't enter us to win it) but LOVE the video of Lei! Nothing like a sassy little bather to spice up the evening! The tummy tub is adorable, if nothing else. We have had our ups and downs with bath time. Claire went thru a phase where the bath seat (we used safety 1st) was essential & made her feel safe. Now she has embraced the open water, kicks around and loves to play. We like the bath time letters/numbers that stick on the wall and for some reason Claire loves to snuggle with the dinosaur scrubbie (?).

[DK]

Dino bath toys: http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3596901

[Brian]

Wow, what to say about bathtime? Our two (6 and 2) love to fight, splash, and generally make for a wet experience. So maybe the TT won't be much worse? With #3 on the way, I've been looking at the TT as an alternative to the usual bending over in the tub, plus something to recommend to patients looking for advice. Thanks for the pics and videos, love to see the TT in action.

[Erin]

Our daughter (7 months) loves baths in her Tummy Tub :) She has enjoyed her baths from the start. With our two older boys (8 & 6) we did not have a Tummy Tub. I highly recommend the Tummy Tub!

[Ceri]

Our least favorite part of bathing our daughter (7 months) is the screaming and the trauma of it all!!! We started using a champagne bottle chilling bucket thingy and she likes it so much better than the big vast scary bath... We would love a Tummy Tub!

[Michelle]

Favorite thing about bath time: squirt toys!

http://www.amazon.com/Funny-Farm-Squirters-Tub-Alex/dp/B0025XUFFA/ref=sr_1_41?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1263352168&sr=8-41

[Brie H]

My favorite thing about bath time is how excited my 1yr old gets when it's bath time!

[Summer]

My favorite thing about bath time with my baby is that she is always so happy when she's in the warm water...and she is so stinkin' cute when she's in the tub!

[Whit]

My favorite part about bath time with my son is just watching his little imagination soar. We bought him these little Munchkin squirt toys* and he uses a plastic shark whose mouth open and shuts to chase each little animal around the tub. this is usually followed with such running commentary as, "I'm gonna get you penguin..."

The worst thing about bath time? Big kid splashing. My two year old son (in a four year old's body) is for the most part great about keeping the splashing to a minimum, but sometimes, the excitement takes over and "drenched mommy" doesn't begin to cut it. But let's face it - it's just water. No real harm, no foul.

*http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/181-2526054-2620360?ASIN=B0010SGZEG&AFID=Froogle&LNM=B0010SGZEG|Munchkin_Tower_of_Squirters_Bath_Toys&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=B0010SGZEG&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001)

[Daily Fuss]

These are too cute. We have the Boon bath frog on the wall and I'm always looking for more toys to stuff in there. Thanks!

[Daily Fuss]

Well, it's not like the newbie will be able to get in the tub with the other two for quite some time so why not give the private bath a try? The other two would be curious for sure!

[Daily Fuss]

Oh my lord. I would love to see a picture of the champagne bucket thingy!

[Daily Fuss]

We have the Elegant Baby squirties. Same deal with the dolphin and whale - they chase. I love it. She hasn't figured out how to squirt them yet though. She has no fear, so we have to keep her in her little seat. She raises hell in the pool too. Oy!

[Rebecca M.]

I want to try one of these tubs -- I will probably register for one with baby #2.

As for other comments, everything I've read says NO NO NO to the bath seats. They give you a false sense of security but they detach unexpectedly and can send baby crashing into the water or hitting her head on the sides. Personally we don't need that kind of bath trauma.