FOLDING BABY BATH SEAT

1 - 2 . (canceled)

3 . A method of configuring a foldable child seat, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) obtaining a foldable child seat comprising a seat assembly supported above a support surface by a frame assembly, and comprising a front floor-engaging portion and a rear floor-engaging portion and at least one pivot assembly of a folding mechanism that pivotally couples the rear floor-engaging portion to the seat assembly;

(b) placing the foldable child seat on a support surface;

(c) actuating an actuator of the at least one pivot assembly of the folding mechanism that pivotally couples the rear floor-engaging portion to the seat assembly, to pivot the rear floor-engaging portion between at least a first position and a second position to adjust a recline angle of a backrest; and

(d) after configuring, then folding the foldable child seat into a compact, flat configuration for storage or travel.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the at least one pivot assembly comprises a first pivot assembly and a second pivot assembly, and the actuating comprises actuating a first actuator of the first pivot assembly and a second actuator of the second pivot assembly.

5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the at least one pivot assembly comprises a first pivot assembly and a second pivot assembly, and the actuating comprises actuating a first actuator of the first pivot assembly and a second actuator of the second pivot assembly; and wherein the first pivot assembly and the second pivot assembly are disposed on opposite sides of the seat assembly.

6 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising pivoting the rear floor-engaging portion from the second position back to the first position to reduce the recline angle.

7 . The method of claim 3 , wherein folding into the compact, flat configuration comprises pivoting the rear floor-engaging portion relative to the seat assembly to a folded position.

8 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the foldable child seat comprises one or more anti-slip grip pads on at least one of the front floor-engaging portion and the rear floor-engaging portion, and wherein placing the foldable child seat on the support surface comprises engaging the one or more anti-slip grip pads with the support surface to inhibit slipping when in contact with water.

9 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the rear floor-engaging portion is generally U-shaped.

10 . The method of claim 3 , wherein actuating the actuator pivots the rear floor-engaging portion to select among a plurality of incline/recline positions provided by additional stops of the at least one pivot assembly.

11 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the foldable child seat comprises a water-permeable mesh seat material, and further comprising removing the mesh seat material, machine-washing the mesh seat material, and reattaching the mesh seat material to the seat assembly.

12 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the foldable child seat comprises one or more vertical side walls extending upward from a seat portion and configured to help retain a child to reduce rolling or falling out of the foldable child seat.

13 . The method of claim 3 , wherein placing the foldable child seat on the support surface comprises placing the foldable child seat in a sink or an adult bathtub.

14 . A foldable child seat comprising:

(a) a seat assembly comprising a seat portion and a backrest;

(b) a frame assembly coupled to the seat assembly and configured to support the seat assembly above a support surface, the frame assembly comprising a front floor-engaging portion and a rear floor-engaging portion;

(c) one or more vertical side walls extending upward from the seat portion;

wherein the one or more vertical side walls are configured to help retain a child supported on the seat assembly to reduce rolling or falling out of the foldable child seat.

15 . The foldable child seat of claim 14 , wherein the one or more vertical side walls are formed from a mesh, water-permeable material.

16 . The foldable child seat of claim 14 , wherein the one or more vertical side walls have any selected shape or height effective to prevent the child from falling out of the foldable child seat.

17 . The foldable child seat of claim 14 , wherein the foldable child seat comprises a mesh material permeable to water, and wherein the mesh material comprises a quick-drying material.

18 . The foldable child seat of claim 14 , wherein a seat assembly mesh material is removable and machine-washable for cleaning.

19 . The foldable child seat of claim 14 , wherein the backrest comprises extra padding, and the foldable child seat further comprises a bolster headrest configured to provide gentle support to the child.

20 . A method of safely configuring a foldable child seat on a wet support surface, the method comprising:

placing a foldable child seat on a wet support surface, the foldable child seat comprising a seat assembly supported above the support surface by a frame assembly;

actuating an actuator of at least one pivot assembly of a folding mechanism to pivot a rear floor-engaging portion with respect to the seat assembly to adjust a recline angle of a backrest from an inclined position toward a reclined position;

ensuring that one or more anti-slip grip pads that are configured to prevent slipping/movement, including when in contact with water are preventing slippage on the wet support surface; then placing an infant and/or a child into the seat.

21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein ensuring that the one or more anti-slip grip pads are preventing slippage comprises ensuring that the one or more anti-slip grip pads are disposed on at least one of the front floor-engaging portion and the rear floor-engaging portion and are in contact with the wet support surface.

22 . The method of claim 20 , further comprising pivoting the rear floor-engaging portion between at least a first position and a second position to select between a first recline angle and a second recline angle prior to placing the infant and/or the child into the seat; and/or further comprising, before placing the infant and/or the child into the seat, positioning one or more vertical side walls extending upward from a seat portion such that the one or more vertical side walls help retain the infant and/or the child to reduce rolling or falling out of the foldable child seat.