well more a poll about how many baths per week for dcs?

[thecaptaincrocfamily]

How many baths per week is acceptable as a minimum? If no other washes.

2 baths or showers per week, plus shower at swimming. I just don't have time to do more often, when I get in from work at 6 and they go to bed at 7.30. I used to be really stern about baths but am much more lax now I work FT. They are 5 and 7 btw

DS is 15 months and we bath him every night - only because he enjoys splashing about in there and because it's one of his "I'm going to bed" cues, rather than because he's dirty and needs a bath. (IYGWIM?)

Woodchuck - when they are little and you work FT all bets are off!!

I agree, chippingin.

To everyone else; Do you never worry about sending them to bed and the mud and paint rubbing off all over the bedclothes? My lot are outside everyday climbing in trees and digging in the mud whatever the weather. Please tell me this is normal.

Mine get bathed every evening, they love baths and it's good for DS1's eczema. They also tend to get caked in mud/ink/food etc over the course of the day.

DS is 4 and gets a bath (and rinse of hair without shampoo) on a Saturday and a good wash of body and of hair in the shower after swimming on a Wed.

He has very dry skin (like me) and we were advised by a hospital skin specialist to only bath him once or twice a week at most from baby until he starts to get sweatier and smellier (probably around 9/10 she said but see how it goes!)

She said most of the cases she sees of childhood eczema were caused or certainly exarcebated by overzealous bathing, with harsh chemicals. Johnsons is the devils spawn apparently! We use some organic hippy stuff that suits ds' skin. (smells lovely)

He does get face/hands/bum wiped with flannel or gentle baby wipes as required in between. He is never smelly!

I agree loony, younger kids def dont need the washing that post-puberty sweaty beings require!

We do bath every night, more because it's a part of their routine than because they are mucky, hairwash once a week, as their hair is dry like mine, and it's such a faff getting it dry (both girls have long hair)

PJ - it is normal for some kids, sadly not for others. My friend barely 'lets' hers out in summer, let alone any other time of the year (they'll get dirty/tired/make a mess... ermmmm Yes AND?). How we're still friends I'll never know

Bath most nights for dd2 and shower every day for DD9.

I agree mine started with a bath, book and bed routine and it has stuck. DD1 I am not so picky with now, but dd2 always filthy!

In the summer noth dcs take showers/baths every day.

Now that it's cold- DS (8) shower 3-4 times a week. DD (21mo) bath most days, sometimes every other day, depends on the state of her. Hair wash every two days (but has v.little and fine hair, so it gets dirty v.quickly).

Toomuchmonth that is outdated advice re: bathing and eczema. Current advice is to bathe at least once a day using a specialist bath oil as it replenishes the skin's oils and clears bacteria reducing the chance of infection. (Of course as with all things eczema-related there will be individuals who respond better to bathing less frequently.)

J&J bath stuff really is evil, though!

Oh mine would drive me up the wall if they were kept in. DD1 especially is like a puppy.

Couldn't agree more MEG. Regarding J & J and bathing in oil for eczema. That is spot on.

Daily here, including hair wash. Will probably not do hair quite so often once he no longer uses it as a napkin.

Chipping in my children tend to get mud/paint on their clothes & hands not all over (you don't go in for naked painting I take it?) & I say again small children do not sweat like adults.
My dd's are clean & fresh smelling when they go to bed; if they weren't I would clean them; that still does not necessitate a bath every day.

A bath every day is fine if you feel you need it for routine/you have time and/or your child uses it as chill out time but it is not essential for hygiene & can be shown to have a detrimental effect on the skin.

Mine would go nuts if deprived of soaking my bathroom enjoying their bath

What is the specialist bath oil, if you don't mind me asking? We had the same advice as above for my toddler son, but he does still scratch his legs when he can. (no rashes or anything anymore though, which is good. He can't talk yet so can't complain, but I don't want him feeling itchy all the time if it can be helped!)

oops! -soakingmybathroom-!

oops still not doing it! -soaking- -my- -bathroom-!

Why can't I do this PMSL! soaking my bathroom!!!!!!!

Wooohoooo!!!!
Sorry, the bath oil is oilatum.

Every other day. 3 days at a push.

Cakewench we use Oilatum bath oil, Aveeno is another popular one. Important also to moisturise with an emollient (we use Doublebase) soon as they're out of the bath.

Loony, you are lucky if the mud is contained on hands. Mine seem to have it everywhere. About a week ago DS kept scratching his bum and getting more and more annoyed. Turned out he had a couple of sharp edged leaves down there! When they crumble leaves in each others hair or pour dirt over each others heads then only a bath and hair wash will do I'm afraid.