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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to not bathe my nearly 2-year old dd every day?

64 replies

quesadilla · 13/11/2012 21:25

that's it really. She hates it, I work full time, sometimes it just doesn't happen. Is there anything wrong with only bathing a child every other day?

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 13/11/2012 21:27

I bathe mine every 2-3 days. Better for their skin and there is no need. make sure all the 'dirty' bits are wiped and clean.

Any reason she hates it?

vvviola · 13/11/2012 21:28

I've never bathed my 2 every day. Was specifically told not to when they were small.

Bath every other day - or sometimes every 3rd day Blush. Hands face and bottom in between.

SamSmalaidh · 13/11/2012 21:28

You only need to bath them when they need it. I usually bath my 2 year old 3-4 times a week.

hairyqueenofscots · 13/11/2012 21:29

i dont think so, was told by a consultant dermatologist that its very bad for their skin, 2/3 times a week, unless some really messy play.

mckenzie · 13/11/2012 21:29

no!! You must be fairly young yourself Smile. I was certainly never bathed every day as a young child - once a week i think and even then it was in the kitchen sink! Seriously. Every other day is more than enough.

pointythings · 13/11/2012 21:29

Sounds fine to me. I did bathe mine every day, but only because they loved it and so it was a nice part of the evening routine leading into bedtime. If it's stressful, just don't do it.

Mondaybaby · 13/11/2012 21:29

You ANBU. It is probably healthier not to have a bath every day. I used to give dd a bath every day but I have relaxed now and now she baths 5 or 4 times a week. It takes the pressure off a bit, especially when you work.

StripyMagicDragon · 13/11/2012 21:30

when they're dirty, wash them. if not, just wash hands and face, babywipe to the bum.

bigkidsdidit · 13/11/2012 21:30

I do my nearly 2 year old every other day, and hair even less, unless we've been very messy. that's perfectly fine I think

NorthernChinchilla · 13/11/2012 21:30

DS, 11 months, gets one bath a week, top and tail every day.
Like you, I work full time and so getting home I've got time for a bit of play, feeding, etc, and just don't have time.

No-one's complained about the smell yet Grin!

Mintyy · 13/11/2012 21:31

No of course not!

thebody · 13/11/2012 21:31

No of course not. Tbh I did mine every day as they loved it and its easier than sponging but if she hates if then of course not.

threepiecesuite · 13/11/2012 21:31

Three times a week here, DD has eczema and plain water aggravates it.

ShallIJustShutUpThen · 13/11/2012 21:40

Once a week here for mine Blush unless there is a reason for an extra one

Covered in paint, covered in mud or covered in poo are the most common reasons for extra baths Grin

MrsMelons · 13/11/2012 21:42

No YANBU for some reason people in general have become obsessed with bathing children every night. I did when they were tiny as it helped get them in a routine but now they have various after school activities so we don't always have time and they are not really dirty TBH.

MrsTerryPratchett · 13/11/2012 21:46

Covered in paint, covered in mud or covered in poo Grin Can I add... covered in yogurt, covered in bolognese, indescribable muck in hair?

sweetkitty · 13/11/2012 21:47

3 times a week here, 2 with eczema, baths make it worse.

DialsMavis · 13/11/2012 21:49

I don't work, DD doesn't have any conditions and she adores the bath..... I don't bath her every day because quite simply, I CBA Grin

ShallIJustShutUpThen · 13/11/2012 21:50

Indescribable muck in hair? Ah yes, we know it well!

MrsTerryPratchett · 13/11/2012 21:51

I think it is a combo of snot, food and drool but who knows?

shartsi · 13/11/2012 21:51

2 times a day for mine (3 and 1 year old), morning and night. I shower twice a day too. However if they had skin problems, it would be less frequent.

ShallIJustShutUpThen · 13/11/2012 21:53

Shartsi I dread to think what my water bill would be if we all bathed twice a day Shock

Are you on a meter?

StetsonsAreCool · 13/11/2012 21:57

I work full time too, and my 2yo gets a bath twice a week. Sunday, when me and DH are both home, and Thursday afternoon when DH is off work.

He does both baths anyway, I CBA am not a great fan of getting soaked while sitting next to the bath.

Quadrangle · 13/11/2012 22:02

Dermatologists always seem to advise against bathing every day. Twice a week here, unless they get extra dirty. Used to be once a week when i was a child.

WellHello · 13/11/2012 22:05

Dd is 16m, I bathe her every 3rd/4th evening. She had horrendous eczema when a small baby so I bathed her just twice a week then. Even if it wasnt for the eczema, I wouldnt have bathed her every day, think its unnecessary really.