If your baby has outgrown the baby bath and is ready for the move into the big tub keeping them safe is going to be at the forefront of your mind.
Preventing slips is paramount to keeping bath time safe and fun – but soap and water and a lively baby are not always the recipe for a calm bath time!
A non-slip bath mat is, therefore, an essential piece of bath time equipment. We’ve looked at the best non-slip bath mats for babies on the market to ensure you have a safe and stress-free bath-time with your little one.
Table of Contents
Best Non-Slip Bath Mats for Babies
Here is a selection of some of the best non-slip bath mats on the market, ranging from colourful to plain, small to large, and everything in between!
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall  | Gorilla Grip Bath Mat | Large size, antibacterial, strong suction and machine washable | Check Price |
Best Design  | Skip Hop Bath Mat | Cute whale design, perforations for drainage and whale tail hook to hang | Check Price |
Best on a Budget  | Salinka Jungle Anti Slip Baby Bath Mat | Fun jungle design, universal size and budget price | Check Price |
Best Large Mat  | Scarlet Gem Extra Long Non-Slip Bath Mat | Extra long 100cm bath mat, great for big baths or fitting two kids | Check Price |
Gorilla Grip Bath Mat
Best Overall
Great suction, ample cushioning and large enough to fit even the biggest of baths the Gorilla Grip bath mat is the mother of all bath mats! It measures 35”x16” and has no less than 324 suction cups, so provides superior grip. In addition, it contains holes to allow water to circulate freely thus preventing the build-up of mould.
It comes in a wide variety of colours and is antibacterial and mildew resistant as well as being BPA free, Phthalate free and Latex free. It is machine washable can so be easily cleaned at any time. An all-round great buy!
Check Price: Gorilla Grip at: Amazon
Munchkin Non-slip Grip Dots
Best non-slip dots
If you have a fairly small or unusual sized bath then these Munchkin non-slip grippy dots are a perfect alternative to a full bath mat. You get 6 x 11.5cm dots in a pack so you will most likely need more than one pack to cover the base of your bath to your liking. The colours are really bright and vivid, which your little one will love and each dot has 12 suction cups so they stick well.
One feature they have which is unique to this product is their ‘White Hot’ technology – the red dot displays the word ‘hot’ if the bath water is too hot (although it would still be best to rely on a bath thermometer to double check that the water is a suitable temperature).
One downfall of the dots is that there is no way for water to circulate (they don’t have any holes or perforations) so they will attract mould faster than a mat such as the Gorilla Grip mat, which has holes to enable water to circulate. They also obviously leave some of the bath uncovered which may not be ideal if you have a lively bather.
Check Price: Munchkin grip dots at: Amazon
Skip Hop Non Slip Bath Mat
Best Design
This cute, colourful Skip Hop whale bath mat is made from textured material which keeps it non-slip. It also has suction cups all over the bottom to help keep it in place. Like the Gorilla Grip mat it has perforations to aid drainage and to help keep it mould free. The tail acts like a hook so it can be hung up straight after bath-time to dry (which will also help to keep it mould free).
It is a decent size (30” x 15.5”) but won’t cover the base of the bath in its entirety. But if your little one will stay put it is more than sufficient. It is also Phthalate free.
Check Price: Skip Hop Bath Mat at: Amazon, Mamas & Papas, Jojo Maman Bebe
Munchkin Dotted Bath Mat
Best for learning
If the Munchkin Grip Dots don’t provide enough coverage for you then this bath mat gives you the bold colour of the dots with the coverage of a full mat. The Munchkin Dotted bath mat is a great way for your little one to learn their colours as they are enjoying a splash in the bath.
This mat has good suction so there shouldn’t be any slips. It is smaller than the Gorilla Grip mat but is still a decent enough size for most baths (30.5” x 14.25”). It should not be put in the washing machine to clean as the dots can detach, but it is easy enough to wash by hand with soap and water so is easy to keep free of mould and mildew. It is made of plastic so is pretty durable and it comes in at a very competitive price compared to some of the other mats.
Check Price: Munchkin Dotted Bath Mat at: Amazon, Jojo Maman Bebe
Boon Bathtub mat
Best low maintenance
The Boon Bathtub mat may look fairly run-of-the-mill, with no funky patterns or colours, but it is simple and stylish and does the job. It has suction cups to keep it in place, is nicely cushioned and gives ample coverage (36.5” x 15.75”). It does take a bit of effort to get it to stick, but once in place it is nice and secure. It you want a mat that is suitable for adults as well then this is the one.
Like the Skip Hop mat it has perforations which allow water to circulate freely and prevent mould and mildew build-up. It is also super easy to clean – just a quick rinse or brush off after the bath, hang it up with it’s integrated hook and you’re done.
It’s a decent size so will fit in any standard bath and is also BPA free. It might not be the most stimulating mat for your little one but they probably have enough toys to play with in the bath anyway!
Check Price: Boon Bath Mat at: Amazon
Othway Non-slip cushioned bathtub mat
Best for Comfort
This lovely cobblestone-effect bath mat is so comfortable you will want to lay back and relax in the bath yourself (if you have time!) or join your baby in the tub. The Othway non-slip mat is larger than some of the other mats (31.5” x 15.75”) and is also heavier and thicker, which is what makes it a good deal more comfortable than other mats. It is suitable for all the family from the littlest right through to Granny.
It is made of heavy-duty rubber which means it is both durable and easy to clean. The lovely textured surface means it is kind on little feet and also keeps them safe by being non-slip. It comes in two colours (the blue is really nice) and Othway are so convinced you will love their mat that they offer a 60- day money-back guarantee.
Check Price: Othway Cushioned Bath Mat at: Amazon
BEEHOMEE Bath Mats
Best for Fun
If the Othway and Boon mats are not colourful and fun enough for you then these BEEHOMEE Bath Mats most certainly will be! These XL size mats (35” x 16”) are suitable for the bath or shower and feature funky, cartoon designs which your little one will love.
It is anti-slip thanks to hundreds of suction cups and a textured surface, and is easy to clean (it does stick really well so needs a bit of force to un-peel, which is a good thing!). It is made of PVC, which some people may not like but it has little to no smell and is durable and easy to keep mould and mildew free. If you want a super-sized, fun mat then this is the one for you.
Check Price: Beehomee Bath Mat at: Amazon
Salinka Jungle Anti Slip Baby Bath Mat
Best Budget
Coming in at a bargain price, budget mat is a pretty good rival to any of the more pricey mats out there. The Salinka Jungle mat is smaller than some of the other mats (27” x 15”) but has pretty good suction and a lovely, child-friendly design covered in your toddlers favourite jungle animals.
It doesn’t have holes or perforations to aid water circulation like some of the pricier mats but it is easy to remove and clean. It is made from durable PVC which helps keep it mould and mildew free and the manufacturers recommend that it be hung to dry after each use to prolong its life.
Check Price: Salinka Jungle Mat at: Amazon
Scarlet Gem Non-Slip Bath Mat
Best large mat
This super-size, 1m long mat (39” x 15.75”) will give ample coverage in your bath and is big enough to safely bathe more than one child at a time. It is made from durable PVC and will easily keep mould and mildew free if it is hung out to dry after use.
It has a child-friendly design with fun sea creatures that will keep your little ones occupied as they count fish and look out for different shapes. Like some of the other mats it has holes punched into the surface to allow water to circulate which also helps to keep it mould free.
Check Price: Scarlet Gem Bath Mat at: Amazon
Baby Bath Mat Buying Guide
What is a non-slip bath mat?
A non-slip bath mat is a mat that grips to the bottom of the bath to prevent your little one (and anyone else using the bath) from slipping in the bath. We don’t want them falling and bumping against the bottom or bath taps and getting hurt. They come in all shapes and sizes from mats that cover the whole base of the bath, to animal shaped ones and grippy, non-slip dots.
What to look for in anti-slip bath mats
There are several things that you need to look for in an anti-slip bath mat.
- Suction strength: The first is obviously the effectiveness of its suction – you want it to be anti-slip after all! You also need to consider the material that it is made of. If you are environmentally minded you want a mat that is Phthalate free, latex-free and PVC free.
- Size: The size of the mat is one of the main things to look for. Make sure you measure your bath and double-check the dimensions of the product before you buy to ensure that you have something that will fit your bath and isn’t too big or too small for your use.
- Maintenance and durability: Maintenance and durability are other important considerations. Similar to bath toys, you need a mat that is easy to clean, won’t attract mould and mildew and that is easy to dry. You also want a mat that will last and won’t need replacing after a few months because it has deteriorated or gone mouldy.
- Design: You may also want to consider the design as you still want the bath to be an attractive proposition for your little one, so a cute design or funky colours might be on your list of must-haves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a non-slip bath mat for my baby?
The majority of adults have a non-slip bath mat in the bath so it is pretty much essential once your little one graduates from their baby bath into the big bath. Slips and falls in the bath are all too common and while they might not always result in an injury, it could cause a fear of the bath. When it comes to your child’s safety, it is surely not worth taking the risk.
How do I stop my baby from slipping in the tub?
Investing in a non-slip bath-mat is one way of stopping your baby from slipping in the tub, but there are other measures you can take as well. Being firm with them about not standing in the bath is important. Encourage them to sit down and play, and if they repeatedly stand up when they have been told not to then simply take them out of the bath. They will soon learn that if they want to stay in the bath they need to follow the safety rules!
Are bath mats safe?
Bath mats are safe so long as you ensure that you have a mat that grips to the bottom of the bath really securely. If you have a mat that comes unstuck easily then it is pretty much redundant and becomes yet another bath-time hazard – and there are already enough of those! Having a good quality bath-mat is definitely safer than not having one at all.
How often should bath mats be washed?
It is recommended by most manufacturers and cleaning experts that you wash your bath mat once a week. Bath mats rarely dry off completely between each use so they are a magnet for mould, mildew, germs and bacteria. Some mats can be put in the washing machine but most will need washing by hand, similar to cleaning bath toys. If you can put it in the washing machine, try putting a flannel in the machine with it. It will act like a scrubber and get some of the excess grime off.
What size bath mat should I get?
The size of bath mat should really correlate with the size of your bath and whether you are bathing more than one child at a time. If your baby is sharing the bath with an older sibling, you may want a mat that covers the whole bath. If you have a well-behaved baby who doesn’t move around too much (congratulations!) then a smaller mat, or some bath-mat dots might suffice. Ideally you should aim for a mat that covers as much of the bottom of the bath as possible.
When will my baby be old enough to take a bath in a full-size tub?
It will probably be pretty obvious when your baby has outgrown their baby bath. If they can sit up in the bath independently and are starting to move around more in the bath that is a pretty good sign that they are able to graduate to the big bath. This is normally around six months, but every baby is different so you can gauge yourself when you think they are ready. Beware though – whatever age you move them to the big bath they will look tiny once they are in there!
The Bottom Line
As you can see a bathmat is pretty much essential to ensuring your little one’s bath time is safe and stress free. There are so many different mats on the market you are sure to find something that suits you, your bath and most importantly your little cherub!
