Michelle, Midwife, Sydney
IB Certified Lactation Consultant, Clinical Midwifery Educator
Brent Gordon, Chiropractor, Sydney.
B. Med. Sci. (Hons. Sydney University), M. Chiro. (Macquarie University)
"It is widely
known that during pregnancy the joints of the body, including pelvis and spine,
become more flexible and mobile to assist in the birth of the baby. This
flexibility remains for approximately 6 months following the birth, making
joints more prone to injury. The TummyTub, in being lightweight and easily
transportable, is of great assistance for new mums in reducing the load on the
spine. This is especially useful following a caesarian delivery or for those
women who suffer from back pain. The TummyTub also
relaxes the baby at bath time by supporting the baby in the same foetal
position as in the womb. This can be particularly helpful if the baby has
problems with colic. The bath uses much less water than a conventional baby
bath, which is also an important cost and water saving feature." Lynne Hall, Sydney, Lactation Consultant
"I wish I had heard of the TummyTub when my first child was born. Our second child Charlotte was 17 months old when she had her first TummyTub experience. I thought she might be put off by the compact nature of the TummyTub, but no. She settled straight to the bottom all snug and warm up to her shoulders in the water. She hasn't used the large bath in our bathroom since! I love that I can choose where I bath her. Being winter, the warmest room in our house is the family room alongside our slow combustion heater. I simply lay out a small sheet of plastic with a bath towel on top, beneath the TummyTub this catches any of the inevitable splashes that seem to accompany bathing older babies. I'll use the same technique in summer when our lounge room is the coolest place to retreat to in the summer heat.
Since using the TummyTub, Charlotte can spend longer in her bath without the water going cold. I also don't have to feel guilty about giving her two baths a day if she asks because of the tiny amount of water need to fill the TummyTub. The TummyTub is easy to fill and empty too and it's so light even when full of water. The lightweight design is much more manageable than the alternative baby baths.
I have been singing the praises of the TummyTub to many parents of newborn and premature babies in the Intensive Care Nursery where I work as a registered nurse. Recent research has heightened our awareness of developmental care and the TummyTub certainly helps bath babies in a way that lessens stress on the infant and promotes a lovely flexed position. With the need to support only the infant's head, this allows a free hand to wash and comfort the baby rather than an anxious parent hanging onto a wriggling infant for dear life.
Considering the financial cost of various bathing aids that are on the market nowadays, bathing babies has gotten to be an expensive exercise. I could have avoided many unnecessary purchases if I'd only purchased a TummyTub first. Most other devices are only able to be used for specific ages and weight limits. Another great feature of the TummyTub being that it can be used from birth and for as long as your child feels comfortable in it. Charlotte has been using hers for two months and has recently turned 19 months of age and I can imagine her using it for quite some time to come!
My heartfelt thanks for introducing me to the TummyTub." Linley Todd, Sydney, Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse and Mum of 2
What parents say about the TummyTub?
"I found the TummyTub to be absolutely fantastic. My baby suffers from wind and since using the TummyTub I've found that it has helped him immensely. I find it much easier to bath my baby in the TummyTub and we enjoy bath time more now. I feel that this is due to him feeling more secure in the TummyTub. Another added bonus with the TummyTub is that you save a lot of water, as you barely need any to fill it !" Angela, Sydney
"From the start my son did not enjoy being bathed in the traditional bath, where he was placed lying up in the water. He almost seemed frightened and instead of bath time being a soothing experience, it was becoming a stressful event for baby. TummyTub changed that because he felt comfortable, secure and more in control being in the upright position. Being submerged up to his shoulders in the warm water became a pleasurable sleep inducing experience for him. I recommend TummyTub to all parents, especially those uncertain on how to handle a small baby in a bath, because it makes bathing so much easier and relaxing for both baby and caregiver! Simone, Wyndham Vale
"The TummyTub is fantastic, our daughter loves it! We live in a small apartment without a bath and the small amount of water it needs makes life a lot easier not to mention saves our backs. Our baby girl plays in the TummyTub for about 20 minutes each day which is a testament to how much she loves it. Thanks for such a wonderful product" Rob, Suzie and baby Danielle, Sydney
"My baby just loves her TummyTub. She can't get enough of it" Wanda, Canberra
"Even though my son is quite big now (almost 10 months), he really enjoys the TummyTub, as if he was in a familiar position – he seemed very settled and sat or stood comfortably in it and it was quite easy in particular to wash his hair. I like that the water covers most of his body so he didn't gel cold. It's great!" Alison, Sydney
"Our son loves his new TummyTub! I've attached a photo of him bathing in it for the first time" Paul and Josie, Tullamarine
"Hi, I saw your TummyTub yesterday at the Brisbane Expo and mentioned that my daughter has one in the UK. My grandchild just loves it! My daughter had caesarean birth so it was really great for her but I also love it. It uses very little water and baby is very safe and secure in it. No slipping, no head or face in the water, and so easy to use. No spilling like other baths when you need to empty it and we used it on the table and on the floor. Fantastic product, I hope it takes off well in Australia as I think it's a real safety issue with bathing babies. I love it!" Karen, Brisbane
"We originally bought the TummyTub when our daughter was 2 months old because we wanted to take it on holiday with us (which was very handy). It also really appealed to me as it uses very little water compared to the bath, which we had been using up until then. Since we've had it we've never looked back! Our daughter loves the bath no matter what mood she is in beforehand - whether she's in a happy splashy mood or a quiet chilling out mood. I've also noticed how much better my back feels not bending over into the bath, and organizing bath-time has become much easier, due to the portability of the TummyTub. What a great find!" Nicole, Sydney
"Hi, I just wanted to show you how much my baby Alexander loves the TummyTub. He's so calm and relaxed bathing in it - much quieter than in the big bath! That's got to be good for both parents and baby! Both my husband and I find it so easy to use.
I've had a few people talk to me about our TummyTub because they're surprised at it's shape, but when I explain how it works they all agree it's a fabulous idea. As a parent I think the TummyTub is a wonderful product. We're just sorry that Alexander will eventually grow out of it, but we plan to use it as his laundry basket in his nursery in the meantime then use it to bath our next baby." Erica and Alexander
"Hi there, I just wanted to say a very heartfelt thank you for my TummyTub which arrived today. We live in an apartment with two showers and no bath and until recently we were bathing our 7-week old baby in the kitchen sink, which was not ideal, and is even less ideal now he has grown too big for it. Traditional larger baby baths are not practical as they are too heavy and cumbersome to lift, fill and empty.
Being unable to give Joe a bath was very stressful for me as I felt I was neglecting him by not providing something so essential to babyhood! Anyway, I saw your ad in Mother and Baby magazine on the weekend and did an impulse purchase.
I was so pleasantly surprised to be rung by the courier and have it delivered so soon after ordering and at the time he said he would be at the house. I had intended to wait till my husband got home from work so we could have a go with the TummyTub together but Joe started screaming and would not stop when I tried to settle him at 5pm. I thought what the heck and within two minutes had filled the TummyTub and plonked him in it. Hey presto - quiet, calm happy baby. He enjoyed kicking his feet around and settling and re-settling himself on the bottom of the tub. After ten minutes I quickly dried and dressed him and put in back to bed, where he cried for two minutes then settled into a deep sleep. At this time of day that is a blessing I don't usually enjoy."
I will be recommending the TummyTub to the girls in my mother's group. Thanks! Theresa
"I wanted to write to say how much my son, Flynn, and I love the TummyTub! What a wonderful product! My son is 7 weeks old and we have used the tub since birth. It makes bathtime so easy and he loves it! If he is cranky in the evening a soak in the tub before bed settles him straight away." Thanks for such a great product!
Here's a photo of Flynn in his TummyTub. Jodie, Wantirna