We’re a mere fourteen away from the launch of my first book, The Baby Cheapskate Guide to Bargains and it’s time to share another short excerpt from the book with you.

That’s not all, though. Today I’m also giving away a signed copy of the book to one lucky Baby Cheapskate reader (surprise!)!

Giveaway is closed to new entries. Congrats to Christina P.! I’ve emailed Christina with the good news. To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment below this post telling me what you think your greatest weakness is when it comes to spending money on your kiddo(s). Is it adorable little shoes? Toys? Nursery decor? What items do you spend on when you probably shouldn’t?

If you can’t leave a comment, you can also email me (babycheapskate at gmail), but you MUST use the subject line “Giveaway Entry” in your email. Enter by Friday at 10 am EDT. I’ll choose a winner randomly and and notify her/him via email. I’ll also post the winner’s first name here. Open to U.S. residents 18 and older.

Good luck!

Rub-a-Dub Dub: How to Save on a Tub

You don’t need a baby bathtub. What you do need is a way to bathe your baby safely. You can bathe your baby in the sink without a tub. Cradle her with one arm and do your washing with the other. If, like me, you’re too klutzy to be comfortable with that, or if your baby’s too heavy, do as several Baby Cheapskate readers do and bathe your infant by getting into the tub with her.

Reader Kassandra says, “We found that it was easiest to run a full bath and to get in with our little girl. She was more comfortable and it made it easier for her to enjoy the whole process of taking a bath, getting her hair washed, and learning to play in the water without being afraid.”

Amber echoes the thought: “First ‘real’ bath, we tried the tub we bought at a consignment store . . . she hated it! She did not want to lie back (she probably had reflux at the time) and she fussed the entire time. It took both my husband and I to bathe her and we still couldn’t . . . do it. She was slipping everywhere. One night, I decided to get in the big tub with her with about two inches of water. We’ve been doing that ever since. I love that time I get to spend with her, and it relaxes us both before bed. I can easily hold on to her and she loves the closeness. She is much more relaxed and can sit up in my lap. I threw away that baby tub . . . it was nonsense in this household!”

Choosing a Tub

Prefer to use a tub? Most infant bathtubs are variations of the same model—a sloping back with nonskid foam to keep baby from slipping down. Some have removable slings for really young babies. Extras include temperature sensors, drains, and hanging hooks. You should be able to pick up a good one for $20 or less on sale, new. They’re also pretty easy to find on the secondhand market, so check your local Freecycle group, consignment stores and sales, garage sales, and so on, or borrow a tub from a friend.

You can use baby bathtubs in the sink or tub, though unless you’re a contortionist by trade, you’ll probably find that bathing your baby standing up at the sink is easier at first. It’s much easier on the kneecaps and back.

When babies can sit up on their own, you can put them in the sink or tub with a couple of inches of water. Put a towel on the bottom of the sink or tub to reduce the chance of slipping. As always, supervise your baby closely to prevent accidents. Keep your little bathing beauty cozy by making sure the bathroom or kitchen is nice and warm in cooler months.

4 Popular Baby Bathtubs

The First Years Infant to Toddler Tub with Sling is hugely popular, with nearly a thousand reviews averaging 4.5 stars on Amazon. It lists for $23, but you should be able to find it on sale for $18 or less, new. The sling is machine washable.

The Primo EuroBath Tub is another top seller. It’s big, period, at three feet long, so only consider it if you have a lot of room. Parents love the simplicity of this tub. It’s about $25 on sale.

The Fisher-Price Precious Planet Whale of a Tub is great for babies up to six months old. It features a removable “ledge” to keep babies from sliding down into the water. It’s also pretty cute. List price for this tub is around $26, though you should have no trouble finding it for less.

The Dutch-designed Tummy Tub is a new arrival on the market. The Tummy Tub looks like a bucket and allows babies up to six months old to bathe sitting up in warm water, which, say marketers, replicates the womb and leads to blissed-out babes. It runs a pricey $50 or so, though competitor Prince Lionheart washPOD is about half the price.

Some moms I’ve talked to say their babies loved their bucket-style tubs and were very calm during bath time. Another noted positive is that bathwater stays warmer longer in these bucket-type tubs.

On the other hand, other parents say they never used their Tummy Tub or washPOD much and found that bathing a floppy-headed newborn in it made them too nervous. Another downside parents cited is that when baby’s sitting in this position it can be difficult to get to cracks and crevices.

Look for another book excerpt next week! Want to be one of the first to get it? The book (paper and Kindle version) is available for preorder now.