The Baby Bath Storage Problem
The standard large plastic baby bath — the kind that comes in every "what to buy" list — is an awkward object to store in an apartment bathroom. It doesn't stack with anything, it doesn't fold, and it's just large enough to be difficult to fit behind a door or under a vanity. After bath time it usually ends up balanced precariously in the shower recess or shoved into a corner where it gets in the way of everything.
There are genuinely better options. Fold-flat baths that hang on a towel rail. Sink inserts that use your existing kitchen or bathroom sink. Collapsible designs that compress to a fraction of their open size. We've reviewed the best available in Australia for 2026 with apartment storage firmly in mind.
Baby Bath Types for Small Spaces
Fold-flat baths
Fold down to a few centimetres thickness for storage. Can hang on a hook, slide behind a door, or store in a cupboard. The best apartment-friendly option for full baby baths.
Sink inserts
Soft foam or silicone inserts that sit in your kitchen or bathroom sink, converting it into a baby bath. Zero storage footprint — stores flat in a drawer. Best for newborns and young babies.
Collapsible/bucket baths
Bucket-style baths that collapse flat. Great for travel and storage. The upright bucket position is also excellent for newborns who benefit from the secure, womb-like position.
Standard plastic baths
The default option — functional but storage-unfriendly. Only worth considering if your bathroom has a specific space where one fits permanently.
Our Top 5 Baby Bath Picks for Australian Apartment Families
Stokke Flexi Bath
The Stokke Flexi Bath is the most popular compact baby bath in Australia for good reason. It folds completely flat on a central hinge, reducing from 23cm deep to just 5cm thick. At 5cm it slides behind a bathroom door, hangs on a towel hook, or stores in a vanity cupboard with ease.
What we love: The fold is genuinely flat and the hinge is robust — it doesn't feel flimsy or like it will snap. Available with an optional newborn insert that supports baby in a semi-reclined position from birth. The drain plug in the base makes emptying easy without lifting a full bath.
Apartment consideration: The gold standard for fold-flat baby baths. The 5cm folded thickness is exceptional — this will fit into almost any apartment bathroom storage situation.
Shop on Amazon AU →Summer Infant Fold Away Baby Bath
The Summer Infant Fold Away delivers the fold-flat concept at a significantly lower price point than the Stokke. It includes a mesh sling for newborn support and folds in half for storage. The fold isn't quite as flat as the Stokke, but it's significantly more compact than any standard bath.
What we love: Strong value and widely available across Australian retailers and Amazon AU. The mesh sling included at this price point is excellent — it means you don't need to buy a separate newborn insert.
Shop on Amazon AU →Puj Tub Flat Fold Baby Bath
The Puj Tub is the ultimate zero-storage baby bath. It's a soft foam insert that sits in your kitchen or bathroom sink, turning it into a perfectly sized baby bath for newborns. When not in use it hangs flat on a hook — at 2cm thick it takes no practical storage space whatsoever.
What we love: The storage footprint is essentially zero. The soft foam material means baby is comfortable and secure, and the sink position puts baby at a comfortable working height eliminating the back strain of kneeling beside a floor-level bath.
Worth knowing: Best suited to newborns and young babies — most babies outgrow the sink position around 6 months. Pair this with a fold-flat option like the Stokke for when baby outgrows the sink stage.
Check compatibility: The Puj Tub fits most standard rectangular double sinks. Measure your sink before purchasing.
Shop on Amazon AU →Tummy Tub Original Baby Bath
The Tummy Tub is a bucket-style bath that holds baby in an upright, foetal position — mimicking the womb environment that many newborns find calming. The compact bucket shape stores under a sink or in a bathroom cupboard much more easily than a standard flat bath.
What we love: Many parents report that babies who struggle with standard baths are immediately calmer in the Tummy Tub. The secure upright position is also inherently safer as there's less risk of baby slipping. Popular in Australian parenting communities for colicky or unsettled newborns.
Shop on Amazon AU →Béaba Camélé'O Evolving Baby Bath
The Béaba Camélé'O adapts through four configurations as baby grows — from a hammock position for newborns through to a seat for toddlers. The extended useful life makes the premium price more justifiable, and the design is genuinely attractive for a bathroom product.
What we love: The four-stage adaptability means this is genuinely the last baby bath you'll need to buy. The design is elegant enough that it doesn't look out of place in a considered apartment bathroom.
Shop on Amazon AU →Quick Comparison
| Baby Bath | Price (AUD) | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stokke Flexi Bath | $79–$99 | Fold-flat | Best overall, 5cm fold |
| Summer Infant Fold Away | $49–$69 | Fold-flat | Best value |
| Puj Tub | $59–$79 | Sink insert | Zero storage footprint |
| Tummy Tub | $69–$89 | Bucket | Newborns, compact storage |
| Béaba Camélé'O | $119–$149 | Convertible | Premium, birth to 3 years |
Our Verdict
For most Brisbane apartment families, the Stokke Flexi Bath is the clear recommendation — the 5cm folded thickness genuinely solves the storage problem and it's well-priced for its quality. If you have a newborn and want the absolute minimum storage footprint, pair the Puj Tub for the early months and transition to the Stokke when baby outgrows the sink stage.
Shop All Compact Baby Baths on Amazon AU →About ApartmentBaby.com.au — Apartment parents in Brisbane reviewing baby gear for small-space living.