Background: Why bath seats exist and why standards matter
Infant bath seats are designed to support babies during baths, typically for ages 6 to 18 months, with suction cups and restraints to keep them upright. However, they have a long history of drowning risks because young children can slip out or the seat can tip, and water is always present. Federal mandatory standards for infant bath seats were created specifically to reduce tip-over and drowning hazards.
What changed: The ONTHEWEI recall
On October 8, 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of about 2,140 ONTHEWEI-branded baby bath seats (Recall No. 27-018). The seats, sold on Amazon.com in April 2026 for $40–$50 in gray, pink, blue, and mist green, violate the mandatory standard because they are unstable and can tip over while in use. Model No. MY002 with manufacturing date 2026/1/10 is affected. No injuries have been reported yet.
Consumers must stop using the seats immediately, mark them “RECALLED,” disassemble the back rest and arm restraints, cut the three suction cups, photograph the destroyed product, email the photo to [email protected], and dispose of the pieces to receive a full refund.
Competing viewpoints and context
Manufacturers and some parents view bath seats as convenient aids that free hands for washing. Safety advocates and pediatricians argue that no bath seat is a substitute for constant, close supervision—never leave a baby alone in or near water, even for a second. The CPSC has recalled multiple bath seats over the years for similar tip-over and restraint failures. Marketplace sellers of low-cost imported products often face scrutiny when they fail U.S. standards.
Supporters of the recall note that enforcing standards before injuries occur is the point of the system. Critics of over-regulation sometimes argue that recalls create unnecessary panic, but with drowning as the leading cause of unintentional injury death for young children, the bar is appropriately high.
What to watch next
Parents who purchased similar seats on Amazon or other marketplaces should check model numbers and manufacturing dates. Watch for additional recalls of other bath seats or rings that fail the same standard. The CPSC continues to monitor online marketplaces for non-compliant imported baby products. If you own one of these seats, destroy it and request the refund promptly. For safer bathing, use a non-slip mat or towel on the floor of the tub and keep one hand on the baby at all times.
Stay informed via CPSC.gov/recalls and check AnbuBaby for updates on product safety that matter for families.
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