I Travel With This Inflatable Rubber-Duckie Tub
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I’ve learned the hard way that relying on hotels for essentialbaby gearcan be a gamble. As a travel writer whospecializes in theme parks, I didn’t realize until I had a child of my own that, with so many hotels transitioning their bathrooms toward sleek rainfall showers over combo tubs, it’s easy to find yourself without options for washing a wobbly infant. Which is why, after a few nightmare rounds of balancing a squirmy, slippery baby in a dangerously head-smashy ceramic-tile hellscape, Munchkin’s inflatable duck bathtub became one of the few items I never leave town without.
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Time and again, it has proved indispensable. What its toylike exterior hides is a cushy, comfortable travel tub for bathing little ones, particularly those who are just learning to sit upright, and unexpected features like a small heart imprint that’ll warn you if the bathwater is too hot.
I first packed it on a trip toWalt Disney World, where it fit perfectly insideFour Seasons Resort Orlando’s expansive soaking tub and turned the tiled showers at theWalt Disney World Swan Reserveinto a baby-friendly escape. After that, it become a must-have on any overnight trip: Whether used as a freestanding modern bath atSusurros del Corazónor at Grandma’s house in Colorado, it’s possibly the smartest baby-travel item I’ve come across to date, not to mention a joy to spot from across a chaotic hotel room.
The bathtub is admittedly annoying to inflate. I use asimple hand pumpmade for an exercise ball, which alleviates any lightheadedness yet requires some manual effort;an electric optionwould be next-level if you don’t mind the extra bulk and weight in your bag. But aside from the chore of blowing it up, the tub couldn’t be simpler to use: It’s easy to drain and easy to clean with a washcloth. It has a suction cup for quick air-drying while hanging on a shower wall, a savior for nighttime baths before early-morning flights. But I often just deflate it and stuff it into awet bag, then unfurl it for airing-out once I get home. For under $20, it’s some of the cheapest peace of mind I’ve ever purchased.
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