No Danger in Skipping a Bath or Two … Phew

on May 6, 2010 at 12:43 AM

Photo by Jen_havin_funI've never been in danger of over-bathing my babies. If fact, I'm often stumped to remember when I last gave my daughter a bath.

People are shocked when I tell them I only give her a bath about once a week, as many people I know bathe their baby every night as part of a bedtime routine. We started the once-a-week bath because she had severe eczema, but now that it's cleared up, we really haven't really increased the frequency much (unless she's really messy).

I started to wonder if I should, so I caught up with Dr. Steven Chang, a family physician, to discuss this and some other baby-bathing basics.

How often should babies be bathed?

Babies don't need to be bathed on a daily basis. It's not needed and not recommended. Bathing two to four times a week is sufficient. Anything more than several times a week is probably too much because the baby's skin is a little more sensitive. It could dry out the skin if you bathe them too much, which could potentially cause rashes.

Are there any dangers from not bathing a baby often enough?

Not bathing a child is usually not an issue. You're normally cleaning the parts that need to be cleaned, so when a baby has dirty diaper, you change the diaper and wipe the diaper area clean. When a baby spits up, you wipe up their mouth and their neck. You really want to make sure those areas are clean and dry, especially because there are skin folds in those areas. If they remain moist, you can potentially get fungal or yeast infections.

What are the best products to use for your baby's bath?

No soap is needed. Just plain water is fine. Moisturizers aren't recommended because babies have enough natural moisture in their skin. Moisturizers can block the babies' sweat glands and actually cause rashes.

Any tips for parents of babies who don't like bathtime?

A good compromise is a sponge bath. All you need is a flat surface; you don't necessarily need a tub, just a little container with clean water in which to dip the sponge. Have the baby on the flat surface with a towel, and expose the parts you're going to clean. You want to use warm water; the official recommendation is 120 degrees or less.

How often do you bathe your baby?

About the author Julie Ryan Evans

can be found writing from coffee houses wherever she may be. The quality of her days is largely influenced by the seat she nabs and whether a protein plate is available.

Filed Under: bathtime, eczema, skin care

Comments (14)

madfoot

on May 6, 2010 at 1:16 AM

Oh good lord! If not bathing my child every day is wrong, I don't wanna be right! We do every other day now, but when she was teeny and screamed bloody murder for every bath, I saw no reason to torture her. I think at one point we were down to once a week; my Facebook friends enabled me.

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lovinangels

on May 6, 2010 at 1:25 AM

I bathe them when i look at them and see dirt. In the summer, that's every night. In the winter, it's twice a week at best.

When we were little, we didn't get baths every day either. It's an expensive and wasteful habit.

SpiritedTigress

on May 6, 2010 at 2:09 AM

Our 22 month old daughter: two to three times a week. I simply cant stand the screaming.
Our 8 month old son: Every other night.

LokisMama

on May 6, 2010 at 6:40 AM

My 3 year old....every night. I could stick him in a sterile clean room and he'd still manage to get dirty somehow.

My 16 month old....about every other night, every third night at the longest.

Nonmember comment from Katy

on May 6, 2010 at 11:05 AM

My 16 month old son gets a bath every night. We live in Texas and play outside everyday - between sunscreen, sweat, watermelon dripping down his clothes, dirt, and rolling around with the dogs, he needs one every night. And he loves baths too

JessecaLynn

on May 6, 2010 at 11:33 AM

I am so glad you posted this!! I often felt embarrassed that I didn't bathe the kids every night or every other night. We usually do it every 3 day because my oldest daughter had such bad eczema when she was smaller and like you I never really changed the habit. If they get dirty then it may be more often.

DreaKevAiyana

on May 6, 2010 at 12:04 PM

My 1 month old gets his bath every 3 days or so, and we use Earth Mama Angel Baby Shampoo/Body Wash on him.

My 3 year old gets one every couple of days, unless she gets overly dirty or smelly, and she uses a shea butter wash on her skin and apple cider vinegar in her hair (baking soda if it's really dirty, like from the beach).