Are bath toys with squeaky holes safe for babies?
No. They grow mold inside and leach plastic chemicals in warm bath water.
What's actually in it
The iconic rubber duck and squeaky bath toys are usually made of PVC plastic softened with phthalates. The squeaker hole lets water in, and warm bath water stays inside for days. That's a perfect environment for mold and bacteria. Squeeze the toy in a new bath, and moldy water sprays out.
On top of the mold, warm water pulls phthalates and bisphenols out of the plastic.
What the research says
A 2025 study in Chemosphere tested children's products and found bisphenols leaching into simulated saliva. Warm water and chewing speed transfer. A 2025 study linked phthalates to slower infant neurodevelopment.
Choose solid bath toys with no holes, such as one-piece natural rubber or solid silicone pieces. If you keep squeaky toys, plug the hole with hot glue so water can't enter, or retire them.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Assessing bisphenols migration from children's products. | Chemosphere | 2025 |
| Impact of prenatal phthalate exposure on newborn metabolome. | Nat Commun | 2025 |
What to use instead
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