How often should I bathe my 4 month old?

LEAH - posted on 08/18/2011

I've always given my children baths every night. It's never occured to me not to because they all really seem to enjoy so much. Great time for bonding and seems to help us all keep up with the evening/morning routine. Bath time usually just depends on how soiled they get. Sometimes they need two baths every day!

Ashley - posted on 02/03/2010

we have a bath 1-2 times a week. She uses only Aveeno products, everything else was drying her out. She gets slathered with lotion 2-3 times a day, as she has very dry skin. This is all based on recommendations from her pedi and my allergist. BUT because she spits up SO much, she gets wet wipe baths daily in her cute little neck rolls. Sometimes her hair gets washed between with a wet rag (again from the spit up). good luck. do what you and your doc feel is best for your child, your life, your routine and your childs skin!

Claire - posted on 02/03/2010

Oliver has a bath every day because he enjoys it. He went through a stage of dry skin and we used baby oil after every bath. The health visitor told me olive oil is also very good.

Rashmi - posted on 02/02/2010

I bathe my almost 5 month old every morning.... She starts with a hot oil massage and then a nice hot bath... I have been using Johnson's bedtime baby wash and havent had any problems with it... it leaves baby soft and with a beautiful smell.... Since I do a hot oil massage every day I dont use any lotion, but every night i apply some aveeno baby creme to her cheeks and under her nose....she hasnt had any problem with dry skin yet...

Sharee - posted on 02/02/2010

I bath my daughter every night or every second night. I don't use any soaps or washes. My husband actually holds her in the shower with him and I wipe her down with a face washer. Ive been told by mat health nurse not to use soaps etc and water is fine for now. She also said that babys at this age dont need to bathed everyday especially if they have sensitive skins so sounds like you are doing the right thing for your baby :) I also use a generous amount of sorbolene after every shower and her skin is beautiful and soft!

Amanda - posted on 02/01/2010

My four month old gets a bath twice a week. I haven't used any lotions yet, but the doc said I could start.

Camille - posted on 02/01/2010

I bathe my daughter every day, sometimes twice a day if she has a blow out.

Danelle - posted on 01/31/2010

my Dr. says right now you should still only be giving them baths every other day, unless of course they have a blow out. They are still learning how to produce their own natural body oils at this point. and frequent bathing can dry out the skin more.

Abby - posted on 01/30/2010

I give Marcus a bath about once a week, he gets a wipe over in the mornings along with cream, until about a week ago i was unable to use ANY baby bath stuff on him due to his skin being very dry, especially around his neck and face, i tried several things but he'd always end up with red skin all over (which faded in a couple hours) and the dry areas would get even worse, he has a full head of hair which his drool and baby sick always mats into and i couldnt get it out with water (at least the smell would stay...) so after talking to the health visitor before xmas i started using johnson's baby shampoo which i have to be very careful not to get onto his face/back, the only place its ok is his scalp, but then my gran deciding that no matter how much i bathe him in water she could still smell poo, has found me some stuff to put into the bath, i've used it once, and we didnt seem to have a problem, and he did love the bubbles, but not sure what it is, and ive never seen it for sale

Bianca - posted on 01/30/2010

Our 5 month old son is bathed every night at the same time with huggies, johnson & johnson, or perfect potion (natural) wash in each bath- from birth he has alternated each night bathing in the family bath with either myself or my husband- he never liked the baby bath at all!
Most nights after his bath he gets moisturiser/lotion rubbed into his skin and is regularly massage (3 times a weeks) all over with sweet almond oil.

His skin is never dry and he has an excellent night routine and sleeps through the night. Babies love consistency.

Darlene - posted on 01/30/2010

My son has dry skin patches and I was bathing him every night. I spoke to the doctor and he said that wasn't necessary unless he was outside or sweated a lot, he actually told me once every 2 days was okay. I now bathe him every other night, I thought every 2 days was to long and I just give him a damp rag wipe down on the nights he doesn't bathe. My 2 older ones get one every night. It helped with his dry skin. I think as long as he/she doesn't smell and isn't dirty, every other night is fine until they start running around. Just make sure you wash their bottom every night to get the bacteria off from bowel movements.

Rebecca - posted on 01/30/2010

My daughter gets a bath every other night. She has had dry skin since she was born. I have tried numerous different lotions on her and I found that aveeno baby lotion works very well. When she bathes in her tub i put a little bit of baby oil in it with her but she usually takes a shower with me or sits in the tub with me. After she gets out then I put that lotion on her and he dry skin is finally starting to clear up.

Heather - posted on 01/30/2010

well I give my son a bath in his baby tub every day. And i use Johnsons Baby oil gel on him after the bath. his skin is super soft using that. He enjoys having baths he splashes and laughs...it is really a good thing to give ur baby a bath every day and moisturise their skin daily...

Rose - posted on 01/30/2010

I give my son a bath every other night. He has lots of hair so to go any longer than that would be horrible for him. His spitup gets stuck in it and creats hard parts! So gross! He has some problems with excema on his face and I use Aveeno baby made for ezcema and it helps so much!

Chrissy - posted on 01/29/2010

I bathe my baby girl everynight before bedtime she loves it ! I bath with her so its fun for both of us she always enjoys bath time :)

Elaine - posted on 01/29/2010

My daughter Is 4 months going on 5 i bath her every night b4 bed i think thats the best way to go because you won't have to worry on taking your lil outt and he or she wont get sick

Kerri-Anne - posted on 01/29/2010

My bubs is 4 and half months and we bath her 2 to 3 times a week and shower her with us the other days. We use johnston bath soap the lavender bedtime one and i use a Johnston moisturise after each bath or shower. When we shower her we only use water no soap most of the time and she has never had dry skin.

Tara - posted on 01/29/2010

I bathe my twins every 2 days. Aveeno makes an eczema cream that softens the skin beautifully. We use in for their bedtime massages and they love it!

Bernadette - posted on 01/29/2010

I bathe my 4 month old son every night as part of his bedtime routine. He loves his bath. I only use soap on his feet, butt, hands, and under his neck. I was his hair every 3rd night. I only use California Baby Bodywash and Shampoo. It'[s very mild, but my son gets dry skin on his belly and his pediatrician suggested using Aquaphor on his belly. It cleared right up, and in fact, I use it on my hands to help my dry skin from so much hand washing. It's great!

Ginger - posted on 01/29/2010

We have decided to ake that part of his routine at night... we bathe hudson every night. Every other night he gets a "bird bath" where we just wipe him down, but he loves to play in that water so we let him. His skin did get a little dry so we just use hydrocortisone cream 1% OTC on those dry places and then apply lotion... he loves it and it relaxes him and he knows it is massage, bottle, book and then bed time. Hope this helps. Hudson is also 4 months-

Diane - posted on 01/29/2010

Our daughter is 4 months old also. She gets a bath about 2-3 times a week. She had dry skin initially but after each bath I would massage her with baby oil. This seemed to do the job. I think you really have to go with what you feel is best for your little one. There is no set rule on these things I've found.

Nancy - posted on 01/28/2010

If he's got dry skin I wouldn't use any soap or the like...babys don't need more than just water..and if possible not too hot..

Shauna - posted on 01/28/2010

We try to bathe our son every night. He sleeps much better when he's had a bath. If dry skin is a problem, we have found Johnson's Bedtime Moisture Bath is very nourishing to the skin. Additionally, Gerber Grins and Giggles Baby Lotion with oatmeal is extremely moisturizing and makes baby skin feel like satin.

Heather - posted on 01/28/2010

I bathe my 4 month old daughter every other night. It will probably change here soon, however, as she is eating solids now and has a lot of hair for her age.

Tameca - posted on 01/28/2010

I bath my Boy every morning and sometimes if his restlest at night ill give him a bath cause it since to help him Rest,,

Danielle - posted on 01/28/2010

I bathe my daughter every other morning. Nights do not work for her, she is definitely a morning person. I do not feel the need to bathe her daily yet as shes not crawling yet or eating a lot of solids. However I have started her on cereal now and shes beginning to teethe as well so i may start the daily routine soon. However i do wash her hands and face and under her neck a few times a day with soap and water and a wash cloth as these are the places that get dirty and collect germs the easiest. And for her skin I use Lotion daily and baby oil ever other day all over her and i have been doing this since she was born and she has never had dry skin or craddle cap.

Jenna - posted on 01/28/2010

my daughter is 4 months old too, and since she was 3 weeks old she has had the same routine, bath at 7pm bottle then bed between 7:30 -8pm. she absolutely loves her baths she has johnsons baby bubble bath. I just use Johnson's lotion afterwards and her skin is fine.

Melanie - posted on 01/28/2010

My 4.5 month old has baby excema, he gets that from me :( .... We don't bath him very often at all. Once every 4-5 days, unless he has a really messy poop. It is just so hard on his skin. Moisturizer does not fix excema, and if it's anything like mine it irriates it. If he has skin is dry, try putting a bit of baby oil in the bath water, really helped with my baby when he was a new born. just watch cause they get slippery. I was watching The Doctors program recently, and Dr. Sears said only to bathe your baby 2 times a week. Bathing often is too hard on their skin and stripes them of their natural oils. Babies dont get "dirty" to need to bathe them every day... unless messy poop happens.

Jillian - posted on 01/28/2010

I bath my 4 month old everyday, unless she has a messy day then she would get the second bath.

Kelly - posted on 01/28/2010

webath frankie every night and have done since 1 month old. she loves her baths and she has bath then massage then bottle and is asleep every night by7pm and sleeps till 5am i feel this is purely as the bath calms her and settles her for sleep. Frankie too had really dry skin we use johnson bedtime bath in the water and johnson bedtime wash to cleanher eith and use a baby sponge. I then massage Johnsonsn's baby soothing naturals intense mouister cream. She hasnt had dry skin since we started doing this. I dont think it matters what cream you use as long as you use some after a bath, massaging them after a bath also helps get them to sleep :)

Laura - posted on 01/27/2010

I give my 4-month old daughter a bath once or twice a week and then do ragbaths in between. She basically gets a bath for church and then one more during the week if she needs it or there is some other type of occasion. Now that she is more active and playing on the floor more and eating I am probably going to start bathing her every other day or so. When she starts crawling I will probably bathe her everyday.

Megan - posted on 01/27/2010

My daughter gets a bath every night, and if she sweats that night while sleeping, she gets another bath during the next day if were headed somewhere. We use Baby Magic lotion afterwards. And baby sleep oil on top of that nightly. Her skin is never dry.

Jessica - posted on 01/27/2010

I give my daughter a bath every night, we have a nightly routine, bath, bottle, bed. Its seems to work, she sleeps 8-9 hours a night and has been since she was 6 weeks old. One thing, I don't use soap every night, I am afraid of it drying out her skin, but I do use the Johnson and Johnson Lavender lotion after the bath.

Sissy - posted on 01/27/2010

I give my son one everynight cause it helps him relax and sleep better

Emily - posted on 01/27/2010

i usually bathe my daughter every night...thats the only way she will go to sleep and stay asleep and she sleeps all nite and sleeps in!!! my fav i use is the cucumber melon and i use that baby bathtub that they have at wm. and she loves sitting in the water and kicking her legs! after shes done i always put her lotion on everywhere and in her hair so her head doesnt get dried and flakey and she seems to like it! hope this helps!

Kim - posted on 01/27/2010

I give my daughter a bath every night as well. It is part of her bedtime routine. She get's a bath (sometimes with mama) and then clean clothes and a story. Then we eats and falls asleep. :) Works really well with us.

Isaura - posted on 01/27/2010

HI THERE,
I HAVE A 4 MONTH OLD AND I BATHE MY SON ONE DAY YES AND ONE DAY NO I DONT LIKE TO DO IT EVERY NIGHT BECAUSE IS TOO COLD.

Noreen - posted on 01/27/2010

Abby gets a bath every other day, unless she needs it sooner.

Melissa - posted on 01/27/2010

My little boy get a full bath every night because he loves it and it is apart of his bed time routine. I also put Johnson's bedtime bath in the water cause he likes the bubbles and its good for his skin. i also use the body shop baby lotion a couple of times a week.

Jamie - posted on 01/27/2010

yeah i bathe my four month old every night, have been since his unbilical cord fell off, you just have to put baby lotion all over his body so it doesnt get dry

Jasmine - posted on 01/27/2010

I bathe my son everyday!!! Alot of doctors dont suggest giving baths everyday, if babies skin is dry.maybe you could use other bath products to help the dry skin... i have a friend whose babies skin gets dry very fast as well..and she gives her baby a bath every other day, and also uses aveeno baby products which really help! :)

Kathy - posted on 01/27/2010

We were told by the nurses at the hospital to only bath her 1-2 times a week as babies skin is so sensitive. Also I was watching the Dr's last week and they said the same, no more than 2 times a week. Of course when needed she still gets the wipe down.

Manndi - posted on 01/27/2010

I give my DS a bath every night. I may not use soap on him every night b/c I don't want to dry his skin out, but he LOOOVES his bath and that calms him down before bed time and he seems to sleep better.

Shannon - posted on 01/27/2010

My son has eczema and I bathe him everynight. If you let him soak for about 10 mins and then use dove on him it should help his dry skin. I can't use the good smelling baby lotions on him because of his eczema, but put lotion or baby oil on him 3 mins after he's out of the bath and it should keep his skin hydrated. You could also use aquaphor, it's really good for the skin too.

LeAnn - posted on 01/27/2010

My pediatrician recommended a bath every 2-3 days for my son. He has really dry skin too. Then after the bath he said to use a little vaseline or a lotion called aquaphor. Too much bathing will cause the dry skin to get worse. He also said the vaseline right after the bath will help to hold the moisture in the skin. He recommended staying away from most commercial baby lotions since they are mostly water.

Lauren - posted on 01/26/2010

Usually every night or every other night, then a massage with Johnson and Johsnson baby lotion afterward...my son has never had dry skin or craddle cap!

Crystal - posted on 01/26/2010

I put a few drops of olive oil in the bath and use baby sorbolene lotion if her skin is especially dry..

Ashley - posted on 01/26/2010

My boys are almost 5 months, and I give them a bath once, sometimes 2 a day depending on if they get real dirty. They have really bad dry skin, but I use lots of lotion. Since they have mixed skin, sometimes its harder to take care of. When their skin gets really bad I sometime use baby oil, or the lotion my husband uses, which was recomened by the doc, but cant rember what it is...

Anita - posted on 01/26/2010

my son is the same age and we bathe twice a week (as per midwife's advice -- she said daily is too much for his skin, as is every other day)...try massaging your baby with almond oil, it does wonders for the skin, plus it's all natural so if baby ingests any of it by accident then there's no harm

Sarah - posted on 01/26/2010

my little guy has one every other night. and wiped down on nights with no bath. I apply baby oil to his head and body right after each bath. He has a very dry scalp, turns to cradle cap if i dont. After I apply to his head, i use the remainding oil on my hands to give him a mini body massage. ...a helpful hint I read was to apply whatever cream/oil you use within 3 minutes after the bath for best results.