How often are we bathing kids?

[Honeybeebuzz]

We have a 1 year old and a 4 year old, bath time is usually twice a week and they also get a shower after the swimming pool. A friend recently advised she baths her kids every night? I thought this wasn't great for their skin but now im not sure. I shower at least once a day but didnt think kids need that as they dont sweat

That's every other day, so yeah. Same.

Lol we had plenty of hot running water 30 years ago. Adults showered daily and prepubescent children bathed once or twice a week.

People at different life stages do not have the exact same hygiene needs.

Mulling further (the grand prix is boring, what can I say), I'd agree our understanding of hygiene has indeed evolved since I was younger. When I was a baby and toddler my mum would Milton all my toys once I was in bed, we know now that's not a good idea. We're also told to hold off bathing newborns for as long as possible now. I'm not aware of any guidance on bathing small children but I wonder will some emerge in time and which way will it lean.

I don't see how children or adults could smell from washing every second or third day provided they are in clean clothes and living in a clean home. We live in a cold climate so it's not like people are generally sweating profusely.

Has it not also been proven that excessive hygiene has led to the increased cases of asthma and ezcema etc there are nowadays.

Right, because my life is truly empty , I've googled - the verdict seems to be that once or twice a week is fine but that daily won't do any harm for most kids. This is the closest to a scientific article that came up on the first page of my Google search: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/does-your-child-need-to-bathe-every-day-202109202598#:~:text=Really%2C%20bathing%20two%20or%20three,area%2C%20and%20any%20dirty%20spots.

So we're all fine, and there's no right answer so we can just all sit back, pat ourselves on the back and have a cup of tea/glass of wine.

Every night as it was part of the 'getting ready for bed' routine. Nice bath, story, feed (depending on age) cuddle then down they went, lights off and I'm outta there! Did this from day one (yes story then too, and never had my kids in with me shock horror).

It depends on the child. DS did not need his hair washed routinely unless it was actually sweaty or dirty until he was 10. It didn't get greasy or smell until then. He didn't need deodorant until 14. It varies between adults as well, some smell more than others.

So you don't wash your genitals every day as an adult? Absolutely foul.

I have a bidet 😁

If you use it every time you go to the loo you are washing every day which is not what you said in your original comment.

Always bathed mine every day (sometimes twice), as I did myself and so did my husband, but had no skin problems thankfully (I always used mild, skin-friendly stuff). I understand that more frequent bathing is not on for those who do, I wonder how they manage; however, some children's skin difficulties are ones they outgrow.

Every night before bed.

Me too 🤢

There's showers at all swimming pools you know...

I'm surprised by the number of people going you need to bath to wash their bums. I don't if its from doing cloth nappies and wipes but my daughters bum got a proper wash with cloth wipes every nappy change and now she is potty trained her bottom gets a proper clean with cloth wipes every morning before getting dressed, in the evening before getting into PJ's and whenever she has a poo at home/ not in nursery.

With cloth nappies I was well aware that her whole bottom came into contact with wee so her whole bottom area got a wash not just the immediate crotch area. She has also always suffered with loose stools as always done 1-2 cloth wipes to remove the poo and then an extra wipe to make sure nothing got missed.

Also on the sweat front. When I washed daily I had to use deodorant several times day once I switched to every 5 days I only need it once a day. I had to stop washing daily to every other day after my skin got so itchy the doctor suspected liver disease. I also never use liquid shower gel and shampoo as they are make my skin so irritated.

Mine are 7 and 8 - bathed every night and always have been since birth - it was part of our bedtime routine to settle them.

Now it's cos they're absolutely manky from being 7 and 8 - they need that bath or shower every day or they'd a) be dirty and b) look scruffy.

Got to say - I totally agree with this. I find it really shocking if a child is only being bathed/showering once or twice a week.

Every child is different and I'm really trying not to be judgey, but suppose I am and that's just how it is. Adults should shower every single day and this should be taught to children so that they have good hygiene habits when they're older.

I don't know anybody who doesn't get a shower or a bath every day.

Mine are adults now, but as small children it was always a daily bath as part of their bedtime routine. The three of them are close in age so I'd throw them all in together. They loved it.

1 DS - 2 in a few months. Has a bath everyday
Half because it's just part of his routine
Half because he is a riot and gets so mucky

When he was younger we did it every night. It was part of his bedtime routine and helped with sleep.

Now he's 2 and a half and goes to bed at 6 so there's not the time to do it as often and he sleeps so well it's not needed anymore as part of his bedtime routine.

We do roughly twice a week and we go swimming once a week too. In between he just gets a wash down with a flannel when needed. And we do have those weeks where we have more baths than usual because it's a good activity on a rainy day!

You know how often your children need a bath. Don't worry about it.

The American dermatology association say "at least once or twice a week" so I don't think anyone here is wrong. My kids don't look dirty because I wipe dirt off them. Small kids don't normally sweat - it's not comparable to an adult.

https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/child-bathing

@mollyfolk They are quoting the bare minimum not the ideal! They won't be fussed about whether the kids smell or not.

They are quoting what is needed to keep them clean! There is no ideal - it wlll obviously depend on the child and the situation.

Always been every day. Now she's a teenager she showers in the morning before school and usually at night too as she does a lot of sport.