If you’re after a nifty invention that’ll save you time, energy, water, and money - the dream for any parent in our current climate - the BabyDam Bathwater Barrier comes to the rescue. Suitable from birth, you can use the barrier as a great alternative to the traditional baby bathtub, get much more use out of it, and save litres upon litres of water with every bath time. But what exactly is it, and is it the right product to revolutionise your little one’s bath time?
Read next: The best baby bath products to buy for your newborn
We’ve shared everything you need to know, if it’s a safe choice for your baby, and what parents think of it.
What is the BabyDam Bathwater Barrier?
The BabyDam Bathwater Barrier is just as the name describes: a barrier designed to create a smaller bath space for your baby by dividing up the size of your bathtub. Simply choose where you want to position the barrier, attach it to the tub with the suckers, and run your bath as you usually would. Easy to fit, remove and store, means you can fill up the tub for your baby saving time and water needed to fill a full bath.
Pros
• It’s the only baby bath to grow with your child – simply change where you place the divider to make their bath space bigger.
• It creates a smooth transition from baby bath to family bath.
• You can use the non-bathing end of your bath as a space to dry your little one or their baby bath toys.
• Keeping in line with the Government's Environment Plan to reduce domestic water usage, the BabyDam Bathwater Barrier could save you up to 56 litres of water per baby bath when positioned to create a smaller area.
• In turn, it can help to reduce your water and household heating bill.
• It’s compatible with all UK/EU straight-sided baths, including L and P-shaped baths with a non-textured bottom.
• You can use the BabyDam at either end of the bath.
• It’s easy to store, making it more efficient for storage compared to a baby bath.
• It’s suitable from birth.
Cons
• It may be easier to fit the BabyDam so your little one is at the tap end, but this could risk your baby bumping their head or scalding themselves on the hot tap. For better safety, we’d recommend filling the furthest end with a shower head or jugs of water, though this will take more time. If you do need to use the tap end, use a tap protector to keep them safe.
• The BabyDam Bathwater Barrier has max. and min. fill lines, but this won’t help you identify the right amount of water for your little one. For a newborn, you’ll want to fill the bath section with about three inches of water.
Is the BabyDam Bathwater Barrier safe?
Yes, so long as you use it correctly. Just as with any baby bath or bath support, you need to make sure your baby is supervised at all times and that your little one is within their depths. Make sure your baby is supported and they aren’t at risk of touching the hot taps.
Alongside the Bathwater Barrier, BabyDam offers more products that’ll help meet your baby’s safety and bathing needs.
Suitable from approximately five months when your little one can sit upright unaided, this bath seat provides them with safe and stable support in the family bath. With an ergonomic 360-degree swivel design, your baby can enjoy free movement whilst the secure suction-cupped base keeps them firmly in place.
If your baby still needs support, the BabyDam Baby Bath Support comfortable cradles and reinforces them during bath time. Suitable from birth to approximately six months, it has integrated bum support, robust structure, anti-slip feet and suction cups to keep it fixed to your family bath tub.
Made from 100 per cent bamboo so it's super soft on your baby's delicate skin, this hooded baby towel is generously sized at 75 x 75cm, making it perfect for newborns and beyond. Providing head-to-toe comfort, the towel can absorb up to four times as much water as an ordinary cotton towel, and its natural anti-bacterial and hypo-allergenic material make it a kind and cosy choice.
Perfect for after-bath changing, BabyDam's changing mat is safe, comfy and practical. It has a 40mm thick padded base made from quality soft cell foam that makes it comfortable and durable. The anti-roll sides are 100mm in depth with a curved design that provides softer support for baby. It's lightweight, wipe-clean (a must!), and helps takes the hassle out of changing.
Read next: The best changing mats to keep baby comfortable during nappy changes
What parents said about the BabyDam Bathwater Barrier
Reviewer Amy on Amazon said, "So this product had some mixed reviews but we decided to give it a try anyway. Our bath is 700mm wide. On taking the product out of the packaging you can see it is well made and pretty sturdy. You need to give a bit of force to bend it into place, probably more so for us as our bath is 700mm wide. But the seal around all three edges works perfect and there is no water leakage into the rest of the bath. It takes a bit of fiddling the first few times you use it but you get used to it. Great product!"
Read next: The best baby bath stand
Another parent wrote, "If this fits your bath it is brilliant - honestly. Its saves a lot of water and time, once you get the hang of setting it up correctly... yes, sometimes it fails. If you overload it (i.e. the weight of the water too much) or you have not placed it well (suckers not strongly gripped or off-centre and not curved it enough to distribute water load), the dam breaks - but 90% of the time it's brill. You really do need to place it halfway up your bath or the water is too heavy and you do need to make sure the suckers and the bath surface are clean for good suction. Lastly, you just need to make sure your little one doesn't grab it or lean on it too much."
One dad said, "Bought this as my daughter is now over a year and has outgrown her bath. Had researched a few possibilities and came across this product. It fits easily into my standard bathtub and allows you to make it as small or as large as you with. It has a nice safe depth and is easy to instal and dismantle. Time will tell but after using it for a month every night it has performed well. Good quick delivery and would recommend this product."