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Original poster

How often do you bathe your kids?

238 replies

DirtyDuckCleanDuck · 19/05/2023 10:30

Finally got a call today to say there’s space in a class for DD to start swimming. Except the class is on our only free week day evening. I’m trying to get it all sorted out in my head, but between football/dance/swimming/cubs, there’s only time to put them in a bath or shower twice a week now. Is this too little? They jump in the shower after swimming, but it’s always a crush and it’s too much to wash long hair etc so it’s just a rinse not a full clean.

Two children, both primary school age, is two baths or showers a week enough?

OP posts:
aSofaNearYou · 19/05/2023 11:09

I always washed every day and my DC wash every day. I think less than that is ok but I don't really get why people say there isn't time - it doesn't need to take longer than 5 minutes.

Garethkeenansstapler · 19/05/2023 11:09

UndercoverCop · 19/05/2023 11:06

For those saying wash down with soap and a flannel, is that because you don't have showers? I'm not sure how it's quicker than jumping in to the shower. You still have to wet and soap your body then wash all the soap off, a shower surely makes that faster not slower

I tried the flannel thing when DS was born a couple of months ago and I figured it would be quicker/easier. WRONG. It takes longer, water runs down your body onto the floor, it takes ages to rinse the flannel out enough to get all the soap off, you can only do one little part of the body at a time. Showers are quicker, easier and far more thorough.

SisSuffragette · 19/05/2023 11:10

🙄 these responses are typical mumsnet. Twice a week is plenty, little kids don't smell. I'd try and give them a proper wash after swimming so can you wait a few mins for the showers or shove a onesie on and go straight home for a shower

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 19/05/2023 11:10

We do max twice a week. Once after swimming, easieat time to do it as they are already wet, then another bath in the week.

I've never bathed my kids daily even as babies

Phos · 19/05/2023 11:12

3 times a week usually, sometimes an extra one if she gets filthy playing our. She’s only 6 so a flannel wash will suffice otherwise. Of course when she gets older and puberty starts kicking in she’ll probably want a daily or almost daily shower.

UndercoverCop · 19/05/2023 11:12

@SisSuffragette my son is 4 and smells musty/sticky by the end of the day

Garethkeenansstapler · 19/05/2023 11:12

aSofaNearYou · 19/05/2023 11:09

I always washed every day and my DC wash every day. I think less than that is ok but I don't really get why people say there isn't time - it doesn't need to take longer than 5 minutes.

Washing a baby or small child definitely takes longer than 5 minutes. It takes me 5 minutes to run DD’s bath, then undress her, get her in, soap her body and wash her hair, rinse it all off, get her out, towel her off, brush and blow dry her hair. It’s 20 minutes ish. DS is a baby so slightly quicker but I have to get all his bits together like the changing mat, nappy, clean clothes, bum cream and his little towel first. By the end he’s bawling his head off and takes a bit of settling.

MrsMiagi · 19/05/2023 11:12

SisSuffragette · 19/05/2023 11:10

🙄 these responses are typical mumsnet. Twice a week is plenty, little kids don't smell. I'd try and give them a proper wash after swimming so can you wait a few mins for the showers or shove a onesie on and go straight home for a shower

It's not about being smelly. It's the dirty ears, sweaty crevices, bums that aren't wiped properly by primary school age children, dribbles after a wee, sweat, pollution and germs you can't see. Being smelly is not the only reason to bathe or shower surely?
This is why my child probably won't go to sleepovers. Dirty dirty. Vile

DataColour · 19/05/2023 11:13

Some kids do smell. If my DD who's 12 doesn't wash herself properly it's really noticable.
I get them to have a shower every morning, and also in the evening before bed if they have been to sporting activities, which they do most days.
Another one who doesn't see the point of a sink wash, it's just messy, far easier and effective to have a 2 min shower.

FlounderingFruitcake · 19/05/2023 11:14

Mine wash pretty much every day excluding if we’re out for dinner or something so home late. They want to and it’s always been part of the bedtime routine. But really I think ever other day is fine unless visibly dirty, little kids don’t get smelly! But after swimming is a must, including hair washing, because of the chlorine. It takes max 5 minutes for a quick shower though, surely it’s not THAT difficult to find the time even with activities?!

RenegadeMrs · 19/05/2023 11:14

UndercoverCop · 19/05/2023 11:06

For those saying wash down with soap and a flannel, is that because you don't have showers? I'm not sure how it's quicker than jumping in to the shower. You still have to wet and soap your body then wash all the soap off, a shower surely makes that faster not slower

It uses a lot less water than a shower/bath, and DD1 hates showers. I don't find it difficult, wring that flannel out and work from the top down with them standing on a towel. Pop PJs over the clean bits so they don't get cold. I use a bar of soap rather than shower gel so not so many suds. They get to choose their own soaps from lush every now and again. The whole thing takes a couple of mins tops.

Esmereldapawpatrol · 19/05/2023 11:15

My kids are primary aged and have lots of activities too but they still shower every night. The activities my DC do are sports so they get hot and sweaty. DD washes hair 3 times a week, DS every night but he has short hair so less of a faff.

It only takes an extra 10 minutes to shower, I wouldn't want to do an activity like that and then not shower before bed so I don't expect them too.

Mamai90 · 19/05/2023 11:16

Sissynova · 19/05/2023 10:38

Getting washed twice a week wouldn't be enough for mine.

Honestly when a child isn't washed enough it is plain to see. Some posters might say it's plenty but I guarantee if their child is only being showered or bathed twice a week it is easy to tell.

Don't be ridiculous.

I was bathed twice a week in the 80s and it was plenty. My face was washed morning and night and hands and nails were always clean. Can you tell me how you can tell if a child is being bathed twice a week? It's not like she won't be cleaning their faces or their hands? Do tell.

Freshair1 · 19/05/2023 11:16

The burning question is why have you set yourself up for such a busy week? It's totally unnecessary. Drop one thing and allow the children some down time.

frankgu · 19/05/2023 11:17

Growing up they were bathed daily. Now they are young adults, they shower twice a day.

Luckily we don't have a water shortage...

frankgu · 19/05/2023 11:18

Honestly I'm disgusted. And this is why primary schools in this country pass headlice, thread worms etc around because kids are not washed and groomed properly.

🙄

reluctantbrit · 19/05/2023 11:18

Depends on age.

DD needed a daily shower with washin her hair and deoderant when she was 9. Before that we could get away with showering every second day and a strip wash in the morning.

Hair doesn't need a regular wash before the hormons kick in so get a proper shower cap and it stays dry.

BlameItOnTheGoose · 19/05/2023 11:20

Not to hijack the thread but for those whose children have sensitive skin that irritates easily, can you recommend a scent-free (not too expensive) bubble bath for regular use??

loveisstrange · 19/05/2023 11:21

Mine have a bath on the weekend sometimes morning sometimes evening and a shower during the week before bed

Caiti19 · 19/05/2023 11:26

@BlameItOnTheGoose I like Sanex.

I insist on clean face, hands, nails, teeth every night - and bidet-style washing as default part of toileting process. Pre-puberty, I'd hardly call nightly washing/bathing absolutely essential if all that is taken care of daily.

SunThroughTheCloudsAt6am · 19/05/2023 11:26

There's major variability in this!

As a kid, I was bathed once a week.

My eldest is pre-teen, so showers every day after sport.

My youngest has long curly hair, so showers 1-2 times a week, as washing and drying his hair is a 2 person effort, and he's unwilling to shower without washing his hair.

I think this is fine. I think that like anything else in life, you should use common sense and judgement rather than follow rules unthinkingly.

CosmosQueen · 19/05/2023 11:27

BHRK · 19/05/2023 10:46

It’s not enough in my book, children get filthy and don’t all wipe their bottoms properly! Urgh. Daily baths and showers here, zero skin problems as Mumsnet likes to claim

Same with my DCs when they were young and my DGCs now.

Danikm151 · 19/05/2023 11:27

@BlameItOnTheGoose asda’s sensitive baby bath is pretty good.
matey is hypoallergenic.
We also use dermol as a bath emollient.

Hollyppp · 19/05/2023 11:28

2-3 times a week is fine. Every day is not great for their skin.

Also would echo you should aim for 2-3 clubs a week max, they don't need to have every single evening filled! That's exhausting.

Curtains70 · 19/05/2023 11:35

Why can't they just jump in the shower before school?

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