{"id":14096,"date":"2021-10-11T12:30:45","date_gmt":"2021-10-11T17:30:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=14096"},"modified":"2022-02-11T10:04:10","modified_gmt":"2022-02-11T16:04:10","slug":"child-bathing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/child-bathing\/","title":{"rendered":"Does my kid need a bath?"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you\u2019re a little kid, it\u2019s hard to beat the fun of bath time. After all, when you\u2019ve got splish splashing bubbles and a yellow rubber ducky, it\u2019s like having a mini-water park in your own home.<\/p>\n

But for parents tasked with supervising and scrubbing a child, the question often arises, \u201cHow often do we really need to have this much \u2018fun\u2019?\u201d<\/p>\n

Bathing benefits<\/h2>\n

Even if you don\u2019t see dirt on a child, taking baths at regular intervals is important for reasons aside from feeling fresh.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile exposure to germs strengthens our immune systems over time, germs can accumulate on skin and put kids at risk for infection,\u201d said Natalie Huynh, DO, an OSF HealthCare resident physician. \u201cThroughout the day, kids are active and prone to getting little scrapes and cuts. So, the longer they go without bathing puts them at some risk for skin infection. And obviously, as we continue through the pandemic, good hygiene practices help prevent potential exposure to COVID-19 as kids are prone to touching their face, eyes and nose.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kids\u2019 mental health<\/a> also benefits from bathing.<\/p>\n

\u201cMental health is important, and having a set routine gives kids a sense of control over the day and helps them anticipate what\u2019s coming next,\u201d Dr. Huynh added. \u201cHaving an after-dinner bath routine helps them unwind and creates a transition between the busy part of the day and when it\u2019s time to settle down and start to get ready for bed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frequency<\/h2>\n

Bath frequency depends on the age of the child. For newborns, two or three times per week is usually sufficient. Doing it more than this can dry out a baby\u2019s fragile skin. As long as you\u2019re cleaning them well during diaper changes and washing their face with a damp cloth as necessary, your little bundle of joy will be just fine between baths. But remember: It\u2019s important to avoid immersive baths with newborns until after the umbilical cord has fallen off. Until then, wash them with a sponge or damp cloth.<\/p>\n

For young children, unless they\u2019re visibly dirty or have been outside sweating, two to three times per week is generally enough for them as well. Children ages 6 to 11 should bathe a minimum of two to three times per week. And daily bathing is always a good hygiene choice for tweens and teens, as their skin produces more oil and is prone to acne and odor.<\/p>\n

But getting back to that splish splashing fun, how long should bath time last for little kids?<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout 10 minutes is enough,\u201d Dr. Huynh said. \u201cThat\u2019s enough time to get clean and have some fun without drying out the skin and starting to get cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

Choosing soap and shampoo<\/h2>\n

With so many options on the store shelves, deciding on the right soap and shampoo for your child may not seem like an easy choice.<\/p>\n

\u201cA mild soap or cleanser that\u2019s either unscented or without much scent is usually a good choice,\u201d said Mary Stapel, MD<\/a>, an OSF HealthCare pediatrician. \u201cAs kids get older and sometimes struggle with acne, an anti-bacterial soap may be beneficial in consultation with their dermatologist. But generally speaking, avoiding cleansers with ingredients like parabens and sulfates will prevent the skin from drying out and having other irritations. Also, some \u2018natural\u2019 soaps are gentler and don\u2019t strip away your skin\u2019s natural oils and protective barrier.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut research is showing that the soap or cleanser itself may not be the most important part of bathing. The friction provided by the water and gentle scrubbing tends to be the most effective way to remove dirt, grime, excess oils and bacteria.\u201d<\/p>\n

Regarding shampoos, parents should choose unscented options with a neutral PH that won\u2019t damage the hair or irritate the scalp and eyes.<\/p>\n

\n

Still have questions?<\/p>\n

> Contact your pediatrician<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cFor example, don\u2019t just buy a baby shampoo because it\u2019s marketed as \u2018no-tears,\u2019\u201d Dr. Stapel said. \u201cSome of them are scented with non-neutral PH, so be sure to read the label.\u201d<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget to moisturize!<\/h2>\n

After rinsing the child and drying them off, applying a moisturizer is important for locking moisture within the skin.<\/p>\n

\u201cPetroleum jelly-based and water-based emollients and lotions are both good choices for maintaining the skin\u2019s moisture level,\u201d Dr. Stapel said. \u201cBut during the winter months when the air is drier, using moisturizers with petroleum jelly is more effective. Also, applying a moisturizer right after a bath or shower has the added benefit of locking in moisture the skin absorbed while bathing.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When you\u2019re a little kid, it\u2019s hard to beat the fun of bath time. After all, when you\u2019ve got splish splashing bubbles and a yellow rubber ducky, it\u2019s like having a mini-water park in your own home. But for parents tasked with supervising and scrubbing a child, the question often arises, \u201cHow often do we really need to have this much \u2018fun\u2019?\u201d Even if you don\u2019t see dirt on a child, taking baths at regular intervals is important for reasons aside from feeling fresh.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":119,"featured_media":14110,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[116],"tags":[1083,754,371,54],"coauthors":[1034],"class_list":["post-14096","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pediatrics","tag-bathing","tag-parenting","tag-pediatrics","tag-skin-care"],"yoast_head":"\nDoes my kid need a bath?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Aside from feeling fresh, bathing your children at regular intervals is important for their physical and mental health.\" 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