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Original poster

is one bath a week enough for a 4 year old?

224 replies

traceface · 17/03/2009 20:36

My dd1 used to have a bath 3 or 4 mornings a week when she was at nursery. She loves a long soak and a play. Since starting school we don't have time in the mornings and she's never really liked baths before bed, so now she just gets a bath on a weekend. Is this really gross and neglectful of me?

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CMOTdibbler · 17/03/2009 20:37

Presuming that she gets a good wash the rest of the week, no not at all.

When I was a child we only had one bath a week, and it was very common

compo · 17/03/2009 20:38

do you do a thorough wash?
tbh I'd just tell hr she has to have a bath 2-3 times a week in the evenings

mrsmaidamess · 17/03/2009 20:38

Well...gross yes, neglectful, no.. All those germs around her bottom etc. Not nice.

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Mung · 17/03/2009 20:38

I dont see why its a problem.
I too only had a bath a week as a child...Sunday nights.

cornsilk · 17/03/2009 20:39

If she likes baths I would get her up 20 mins earlier and bath her.

itwasntme · 17/03/2009 20:40

Honestly? I could not go a week without bathing my children.. we do every other day, every three days at a push. My daughter gets filthy after running around all day.

My mum used to bathe us once a week, and I still remember the shame of having greasy hair, though obviously not that young.

Surely you could manage one bath midweek, or at least a quick shower?

geraldinetheluckygoat · 17/03/2009 20:40

depends if you wash her between times, as others have said!

thisisyesterday · 17/03/2009 20:41

not at all. my boys get done once a week. unless we've been out and done anything particularly grubby which warrants another one.

why on earthj would there be germs around their bottoms? I do wash them you know

abroadandmisunderstood · 17/03/2009 20:42

my lordy I have to bath my 4yo DS1 every other day. He is a roll-in-the-dirt kind of boy though with muddy trousers and leaves in his hair when I collect him from Kindergarten.

I and both my boys have sensitive skins so DS1 is every other day and DS2 (1yo) is twice a week in plain water.

helsy · 17/03/2009 20:44

twice a week here. DD1 has eczema and the GP said we were bathing her too much. Just the excusereason I needed

mrsmaidamess · 17/03/2009 20:44

thisisyesterday the op didn't say if she washed her dd inbetween baths or not. Assuming this doesn't happen, yes there would be germs . If it does, there won't be!.

kidcreoleandthecoconuts · 17/03/2009 20:45

I only ever had a bath once a week as a child too. But I couldnt go a week without bathing my two. DD is in nappies so needs a bath every other night. DS gets grubby if left for more than 2 nights...I like him to go to preschool with clean hair, nails etc. A bath always gives them a proper wash.

compo · 17/03/2009 20:45

how do you wash a 4 year old's bottom if not in the bath?
it seems more trouble to get them to lie down and give them a good flannel over than stick them in the bath

Blarbie · 17/03/2009 20:45

If nobody else has noticed and she looks and smells clean what's the problem?
You're just being eco friendly aren't you? Saving water and all that!

Portofino · 17/03/2009 20:48

I must admit mine needs a bath at least twice a week otherwise she looks grubby. I think every day is overkill but 2-3 times per week is the bare minimum.

CompareTheMeerkat · 17/03/2009 20:50

I have no idea how often DS (5) and DD (3) have baths. Sometimes nearly every day, other times once a week. As far as I can tell they don't smell and appear to be clean enough. I am sure your DD is fine.

LynetteScavo · 17/03/2009 20:51

Why doesn't she like baths before bed? Would she have one straight after school so she could have a long play?

I think aslong as they don't get jam in it chldrens hair can last for a week with out being washed, but you are probably risking what I call "stinky tramp bottom"

When DS1 was three he decided he would never,not ever have a bath again, and as I was PG I couldn't force him. We went swimming lots.

EffiePerine · 17/03/2009 20:57

DS1 needs a a bath most days, can stretch it to every other day occasionally, but he is a very grubby and active toddler. In fact, reading the thread title I thought 'bet it's a girl'

if you're happy she's clean with a weekly bath, can't see the problem!

Horton · 17/03/2009 21:02

Once a week is absolutely fine IMO, if she's not obviously grubby or smelly. Children simply don't get as smelly as adults, as long as you wash the bits that get actively grubby during the day like faces and hands.

Sidge · 17/03/2009 21:02

My 5 year old needs a bath most days as she gets whiffy with greasy hair if she doesn't.

I think every 2-3 days is reasonable but I do think only bathing once a week is a bit grotty. 4 year olds aren't very good at wiping themselves after using the loo so imagine the dribbles and skidmarks after a week!

Can't she have a bath late afternoon, before her dinner?

missblythe · 17/03/2009 21:02

Has your DS maintained this stand, Lynette?

And for how long?!

Blu · 17/03/2009 21:05

I think twice a week would be better.

Hulababy · 17/03/2009 21:12

I think once a week is fine if they have a good wash (tops and tails) the rest of the time. And if they do ahve a aprticularly grubby day - just throw an extra one in.

Would she try a shower instead?

MinkyBorage · 17/03/2009 21:16

doesn't she smell a bit? Mine are much smaller, but I would imagine they would really hum after not having a bath for a week!

NotAnOtter · 17/03/2009 21:20

mine would hum

sorry but when i heard readers i could always whiff the kids who had not had a bath everyday or two

i would deffo bathe even the most prissy child once every two nights

especially if they eat sweetened yoghurts