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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Do you bath your kids everyday?

143 replies

Nastynigel · 05/11/2024 12:42

How often do your children have a bath -
aged 7 and 9.

Surely it cannot be everyday?? Or am I being thick.

OP posts:

Survivingnotthriving24 · 05/11/2024 13:27

Every day, soft water area so no dry skin issues and toddler is usually pretty grubby from playing outside, painting, food etc.

sorrynotathome · 05/11/2024 13:25

exprecis · 05/11/2024 12:59

https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/treatment/bathing/#:~:text=Tips%20for%20bathing%20and%20moisturizing%20with%20eczema&text=Take%20at%20least%20one%20bath,a%20gentle%20cleanser%20(not%20soap)

Just putting it out there that the national eczema association thinks daily showers are fine

Obviously individuals may respond better to other treatment.

That’s a US organisation, no doubt funded by the companies that produce all the various products they suggest using.

Dermatologists in the UK generally advise against daily bathing for children.

PigeonTamer · 05/11/2024 13:23

I bath my 4year old most days because it’s part of his wind down routine before bed. I don’t think it’s necessary, it just works for our routine. Daily bathing can also give some children skin issues. I think every 2-3 days would be fine for most kids unless they’ve got really dirty somewhere.

Ragwort · 05/11/2024 13:22

My DS is grown up now but yes, every day - slightly less as a teenager (shower instead) but he's always loved a bath (quite miffed now as he's in a flat share that only has a shower . Personally I found giving my DS a bath a lot simpler than 'supervising' a proper wash at the wash basin.
It was just an automatic part of the bedtime routine..... we had the time & could afford the hot water.

I have a bath most nights myself & my skin is perfectly fine.

sastil · 05/11/2024 13:21

tintinsanfran123 · 05/11/2024 12:50

Every second or third day. Our 7 yo gets a flare up of eczema if we do every day. Gets basic wash on in between days

Same here for DS age 5, tho he has eczema regardless, it it's so much worse if washed more.
We found lush dream cream to be the best treatment post wash.

TipsyKoala · 05/11/2024 13:21

Every 2 to 3 days usually. DD had dry skin as a toddler so we stopped bathing every day.

TheSandgroper · 05/11/2024 13:18

We bathed every day. We messed with the bedtime routine at our peril.

Fisharenotfoods · 05/11/2024 13:15

Yes every day, no skin problems or issues. For me I was only bathed once or twice a week as a kid and I found it hard moving to shower more as a preteen or teen as it wasn’t part of my routine.

Newname85 · 05/11/2024 13:14

Those that do once a week - Are you serious!?

My kids shower every night. They skip one day on an odd weekend.

Orangebadger · 05/11/2024 13:14

6 yr old one bath a week and one shower after swimming a week. More if hot or very dirty. He really does not need more than that.

DD 12, shower twice a week, would prefer alternate days, ideally a daily quick shower, but a challenge with a reluctant pre teen but I'm working on it!

Redplenty · 05/11/2024 13:11

At that age it's entirely possible the nine year old will be starting puberty and starting to get a bit whiffy. I think it's important to instill good hygiene habits so mine are washed every day (shower or bath). If the eczema federation says it's fine then I'm fine with that too.

MumonabikeE5 · 05/11/2024 13:09

Twice a week in winter max.

Isitfridayyetsophie · 05/11/2024 13:08

Everyday, he’s 3 and we’re out and about a lot, painting and lots of walking/running/playgrounds everyday so he needs a bath daily. When he’s older he’ll swap to daily showers. My husband and I shower daily, so I would find it strange to not give my son a good clean everyday too!

HarkALark · 05/11/2024 13:04

KnittingKnewbie · 05/11/2024 12:59

I have noticed among my friends that English people (mothers) wash the kids every night.
Irish mothers don't.

I don't know why this is. I presume cost of electric/water would have been the same growing up so it's not a financial thing, but a cultural one

That's interesting. I'm not English and we were bathed once a week, with daily face washing. I shower almost daily as an adult.

I'm quite laid back with my DD, bath every Sunday before the school week starts and if she needs another one in the week I'll chuck her in, but sometimes she'll go another week without. I've read loads of these threads though and am relaxed about being a pig. 😅

PizzaPowder · 05/11/2024 13:00

My 8 year old has a shower every morning. He never wants a bath.

exprecis · 05/11/2024 12:59

https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/treatment/bathing/#:~:text=Tips%20for%20bathing%20and%20moisturizing%20with%20eczema&text=Take%20at%20least%20one%20bath,a%20gentle%20cleanser%20(not%20soap)

Just putting it out there that the national eczema association thinks daily showers are fine

Obviously individuals may respond better to other treatment.

How to use baths to manage your eczema

When your skin is dry, it’s not because it doesn’t contain enough oil. It’s because your skin isn’t doing a very good job of retaining its moisture. Baths can help.

https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/treatment/bathing#:~:text=Tips%20for%20bathing%20and%20moisturizing%20with%20eczema&text=Take%20at%20least%20one%20bath,a%20gentle%20cleanser%20(not%20soap)

KnittingKnewbie · 05/11/2024 12:59

I have noticed among my friends that English people (mothers) wash the kids every night.
Irish mothers don't.

I don't know why this is. I presume cost of electric/water would have been the same growing up so it's not a financial thing, but a cultural one

lasagnelle · 05/11/2024 12:58

Nastynigel · 05/11/2024 12:49

you're damaging their skin if you bath/ shower every day.

I think people can tell that for themselves did you just start this thread to judge people who bathe their kids everyday?

Kayla84 · 05/11/2024 12:57

Every day from birth. Tbh it's never occurred to me not to. That's how I was raised so know no different. Only time I'd skip is if coming home late and they fell asleep in the car then I wouldn't wake them to shower but just carry up to bed.

Hayley1256 · 05/11/2024 12:56

No I think it damages their skin and hair. My DD8 has a bath or shower every 2/3 days unless she's done something like swimming etc. This will probably change when she's a teen

ManchesterLu · 05/11/2024 12:55

Nastynigel · 05/11/2024 12:49

you're damaging their skin if you bath/ shower every day.

Wtf is the point of this message? People will bath their children how often THEY choose.

I had a bath every day as a child, and shower every day as an adult, and my skin is still going perfectly strong for goodness sake.

Georgie743 · 05/11/2024 12:55

9 year old has a quick shower almost every day. Perhaps skips a day occasionally at the weekend. Lots of 9 year olds already have stinky pits!

Peopleinmyphone · 05/11/2024 12:55

Nastynigel · 05/11/2024 12:49

you're damaging their skin if you bath/ shower every day.

It's just always been a part of the bedtime routine for us (dinner bath book bed). If my child had skin problems I'd look into how to manage a skin condition and bath less if needed, but he doesn't.

CoCoNoDough · 05/11/2024 12:54

Once a week

taxguru · 05/11/2024 12:54

Bath or shower every day. No exceptions. For use and for our son. Hair washed every 2/3 days.

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