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AIBU?

To wonder how you can not bath or shower kids every day?

509 replies

Kalitall · 28/03/2017 17:54

I know this ones been done, and I don't think anyone is dirty for not bathing every day and I understand about skin conditions.

I just don't know how everyone gets away with not bathing children each day. Especially little ones.

My two boys seem to get filthy. They both play outside every day and end up muddy. The toddler gets really mucky eating meals, usually ends up with food everywhere even in his hair. Also often ends up with paint over him from nursery. He poos in his nappy every day and even though he's clean up is usually still a bit smelly. In the Summer they both get quite sticky.

I find it easier to run a bath or put him under the shower than to top and tail to clean all the muck off.

Like I said I'm not accusing anyone of being dirty, as an adult I could probably get away with not showering each day as I don't sweat much and don't get mucky.

Do other children just not get in a mess?

It's the same with washing clothes. I reuse my own clothes but I could never not wash the dcs clothes, because they're always covered in food or mud.

OP posts:
TheSnorkMaidenReturns · 28/03/2017 17:56

If they aren't dirty they don't need a wash. Goes for kids and clothes.

That's fairly obvious, surely?

FallenSky · 28/03/2017 17:57

Baby wipes.

I dust with them too. Very versatile.

Honestly though, there are very few occasions where my DC are dirty to the point that only a bath will do. Clothes are another matter though. Sometimes DD who's 4 can get through 3 outfits in a day. Don't know how she does it.

Kalitall · 28/03/2017 17:57

I know that but how to people manage to keep their dc from NOT getting dirty?

Do other toddlers not rub their dinner in their hair?

OP posts:
MaryPoppinsPenguins · 28/03/2017 17:58

It would really eat into my watching TV time if I had to bath them everyday... Grin

WhirlwindHugs · 28/03/2017 17:58

I think there are stages where they are a lot dirtier than others.

Mine defintely don't get as mucky now they aren't in nappies but the youngest still needs a wash the most often.

kel1493 · 28/03/2017 17:59

My lb doesn't get dirty much. So I reuse his clothes if they're still clean. And I try to bath him every day because he loves it. But honestly if i miss a day (which I have done when he's really not well or very tired) it doesn't matter much

Allthebestnamesareused · 28/03/2017 17:59

Do you tell your toddler not to rub his food in his hair though?

IHaveBrilloHair · 28/03/2017 17:59

I know it's frowned upon on here but unless you have a skin condition/sn, then I don't get not showering everyday for everyone, it takes 5 minutes for adults and is a nice part of routine for kids.

Absintheshots · 28/03/2017 17:59

I don't know either. Mine need at least a change of clothes or uniform every day, they are always rolling around everywhere and I do find it easier to run a quick bath (and a daily shower is not negotiable for anyone over the age of 12 Grin )
I guess it depends on the child, my babies always loved the bath, it's was a lovely part of the day and once toddler splashing about was great fun. It has never been a chore to give a bath. I only cancelled it the days I was down with the flu. It might be different if you have a child who was a cat in a previous life.

SomethingBorrowed · 28/03/2017 18:00

Mine are 3 (DT). They don't play with food really. They don't go to nursery so maybe they have closer supervision during meals/arts and crafts etc. I usually don't let them play in mud etc. (No judgment, I am controlling I know it)
I bathe them every other day (every day during the summer).

ProudBadMum · 28/03/2017 18:00

My son has always hated been dirty. Even as a baby he needed changing after each little wee!

He can go out and play football and maybe his arm will have mud on it. He will go clean himself up before anything else

Where as my sister (same age) just has to step out of the door and muck is attracted to her and she doesn't care. She needs hosting down every day in the summer

coolaschmoola · 28/03/2017 18:01

Well my 5 yo dd doesn't poo or wet herself, so that's not an issue, they don't play in mud at school and she washes her hands after every toilet visit or if they get messy, plus her face and hands get washed twice morning and night. Children don't tend to sweat like adults either so they don't smell.

DD baths every other day or so. She's never dirty and never smells. Her hair gets washed twice a week and is always very shiny and looks and smells clean.

Toddlers are infinitely more grubby than older children, so they aren't the best measure.

CaseyAtTheBat · 28/03/2017 18:01

Clothes get washed more often than kids do. They don't need daily baths, its just not necessary.

SquedgieBeckenheim · 28/03/2017 18:02

DD1 gets a bath every day. She spends most of her life outdoors so gets muddy!
DD2 is a newborn so we bath her once a week.

Kalitall · 28/03/2017 18:02

Ah fallen ds2 was like that. I seem to usually manage with one these days, but then I only change the clothes the same day if they are really bad.

I just find it easier to bath them I think. It's not always a thorough bath. The youngest hates being wiped too but doesn't mind the bath and a jug poured over him.

I literally didn't even want to pick him up after his pasta tonight, didn't know where to start.

OP posts:
bythewindsailors · 28/03/2017 18:02

As toddlers, they were filthy every day so definitely needed bath every night and clean clothes every day. Now 7 and 9, they keep themselves fairly clean and so bathe every other day at most.

Lowdoorinthewal1 · 28/03/2017 18:02

I agree, loads won't though.

Personally, I think if DC are playing outdoors enough and getting enough real exercise then they will be dirty enough to need a wash every day.

If people's DC are not dirty enough to need a wash 3 or 4 days in a row, I would ask why not.

However, this has been done to death and a million people will say their kids are still pristine at the end of a week with no bath.

SecretNetter · 28/03/2017 18:02

My two play outside every day they can...they'll come in with black faces and hands and dirty nails.

But most of them is covered by clothes...the clothes get washed and faces, hands and nails get scrubbed...no reason they 'have' to bath.

SecretNetter · 28/03/2017 18:05

If people's DC are not dirty enough to need a wash 3 or 4 days in a row, I would ask why not

Mine need a wash every night. That's different to a bath though.

megletthesecond · 28/03/2017 18:07

Yanbu. Mine needed daily baths / showers as toddlers and preschoolers. It was either food, paint or mud on them.

Camomila · 28/03/2017 18:09

I top and tail DS with a warm flannel most nights, even if he's super yoghurty it gets him clean. Paint and sticky calpol need a bath/shower though but obviously they are on him less often.

(Tendency towards dry skin/excema so I don't want to rock the boat with more than 2 baths a week as his skin is good ATM)

CaseyAtTheBat · 28/03/2017 18:10

If people's DC are not dirty enough to need a wash 3 or 4 days in a row, I would ask why not

I think that would come under the heading of none of your fucking business.

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n0ne · 28/03/2017 18:10

DD(4) rarely gets messy. She gets bathed when we remember twice a week. I top and tail if she's got obvious paint/food/muck on her. She's a rather finicky child!

SaucyJack · 28/03/2017 18:10

I dunno about need, but all mine have a bath every night because they like it.

Kills half an hour nicely.

corythatwas · 28/03/2017 18:11

SecretNetter Tue 28-Mar-17 18:05:08
"If people's DC are not dirty enough to need a wash 3 or 4 days in a row, I would ask why not

Mine need a wash every night. That's different to a bath though."

This. Mine didn't usually manage to get food, mud and paint all over the parts that were covered by clothing.

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