Water mats can be a terrific way to encourage your baby to enjoy tummy time. Brightly colored, soft-to-the-touch baby water mats are engaging toys that will captivate your little one by being fun to touch. Given that tummy time is developmentally important to your growing baby, as it helps them to develop muscles and motor skills, you will want to find any sort of toy, such as a baby water mat, that encourages this activity.
Baby water mats are widely available, but finding one that is both durable and fun for babies can be tricky. The last thing you want is a leaky baby water mat. The Splashin’kids Inflatable Tummy Time Water Mat is an entertaining water mat for little ones that can be easily drained and tucked away for storage. It will provide colorful, engaging enjoyment for your baby.
What to know before you buy a baby water mat
Baby water mats are fairly inexpensive toys to add to your baby’s toy box, and they can even be musical. They can usually be inflated and deflated fairly easily and are fun for babies and toddlers alike.
Size
While some baby water mats are large enough to accommodate your infant, others are fairly small and are only meant for your baby to interact with and not actually rest on. All baby water mats are fun and engaging for babies, regardless of their size. But if you want a mat that your baby can lie on entirely, be sure to find out the dimensions of the baby water mat that you order.
Portability
Most baby water mats are designed so that they can be quickly filled with water to be enjoyed by your infant and then quickly drained and tucked away. If you plan to travel a lot or intend to take the baby-water mat with you on play dates or while traveling, make sure you are purchasing a baby water mat that can be quickly condensed for easy transport.
Material
With so many baby water mats on the market, you want to make sure that you are giving your baby one that is safe. Look for baby water mats that are made of durable material and BPA-free to give you peace of mind while your baby enjoys tummy time with their water mat.
Baby water mat features
Floating objects
Some baby water mats have floating objects inside, such as fish or stars, that will be fun for your child to push around in their water mat and try to catch. This can be a nice feature to have as your baby grows because it may keep them engaged for longer periods of time.
Animal shape
If your baby shows a preference for certain animals, such as ducks or turtles, you can purchase a baby water mat in an animal shape to delight your child. Your baby may get even more enjoyment from the baby water mat if they can squeeze and hug their favorite animal as they explore and play.
Letters and numbers
If you want to start working with getting your baby to recognize letters and numbers, you may select a baby water mat that has letters and numbers incorporated into the design. This will encourage your baby to start to recognize these shapes early.
Baby water mat cost
Baby water mats are fairly inexpensive and make great gifts. You can find a baby water mat for as little as $8. Baby water mats generally cost from $10-$25.
Baby water mat FAQ
How do I prevent mold from growing in my baby water mat?
A. In order to prevent mold growth in your baby water mat, you will want to drain the water every so often and replace it with fresh water. You might also try adding a little bit of distilled vinegar to your baby water mat to discourage mold growth. If your baby is going for long periods of time without using their baby water mat, you should drain the water and dry it out to prevent mold.
When can my baby start using a baby water mat during tummy time?
A. If your baby water mat is big enough to lie your baby on top of for tummy time, your baby can start using the baby water mat right away for tummy time. However, if your baby water mat is smaller and meant for interacting but not lying on top of it, your baby will likely start to enjoy it around three months of age, when they can start pushing up a bit during tummy time and touching the baby water mat.
Which baby water mat should I get?
Best of the best baby water mat
Gebra Inflatable Tummy Time Water Mat: available at Amazon
Our take: Shaped like a turtle, this baby water mat is colorful and fun for kids.
What we like: Made from BPA-free materials and easy to fill with water, this tummy time water mat is soft and interesting for your baby to play with. The floating animals inside the baby water mat will keep your child busy while playing.
What we dislike: Some users state that the water seal is finicky and doesn’t hold up well over time.
Best bang for your buck baby water mat
Infantino Pat & Play Water Mat: available at Amazon and Buy Buy Baby
Our take: This durable baby water mat from a trusted brand is less than $10.
What we like: Six floating creatures in this baby water mat will engage your baby for some time either during tummy time or while they are seated in their highchair. This baby water mat comes with a limited one-year warranty.
What we dislike: This baby water mat is considerably smaller than other similar baby water mats.
Honorable mention baby water mat
Splashin’kids Inflatable Tummy Time Premium Water: available at Amazon
Our take: Easy to set up, this roomy baby water mat is fun and engaging for your infant.
What we like: Complete with a soft mirror, bright colors and floating sea creatures, this baby water mat might help your baby develop their hand-eye coordination when used during tummy time.
What we dislike: Some users have stated that the edges of this product seem very sharp for a baby toy. Stephanie Jarrett is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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