Squeeze bath toys swap to Natural rubber bath toys

Why make the swap

• Why switch to natural rubber bath toys

  Sealed natural rubber toys have no hole for water to sneak in, so there’s no hidden space for slime to grow, and they’re made from natural rubber instead of plastic.

• What's the concern with squeeze bath toys

  Water trapped inside squeeze toys feeds a film of bacteria and fungi, and 80% of the toys tested grew indicator or potentially harmful microbes. The researchers warn that squirting that water at faces could cause eye, ear or gut infections, though the real-world risk hasn’t been measured.

• General information, not medical advice. Ask your pediatrician before changing what your baby or child uses.

• Good to know before you buy

  Natural rubber: skip it if anyone in the house has a latex allergy. The colours are a food-grade paint. Rinse after bath time and let them air-dry. Squeeze old toys dry after every bath; bin any with dark specks.

  CaaOcho natural rubber seahorse bath toy, hole-free: Natural rubber: skip it if your baby or anyone in the house has a latex allergy.

  CaaOcho natural rubber butterfly fish bath toy, hole-free: Natural rubber: skip it if your baby or anyone in the house has a latex allergy.

• Sources (1)

  1. Neu et al. 2018, npj Biofilms and Microbiomes: biofilm in all 19 used toys, fungi in 58% (opens in a new tab)

  Health and safety facts on this page come from this source. What a pick is made of comes from its maker's listing or website, as stated on the date we checked.