How often should you bathe your infant?

Amanda - posted on 01/23/2011

When my son was that small, I probably only bathed him a few times a week. I knew it was time for a bath when he smelled like "rotten" milk. Otherwise, I didn't really worry about it. I would wipe him down after he spit up and what not, but that's about it.

Pamela - posted on 01/23/2011

I bathe my daughter once every 72-94 hrs if its needed. other than that every part get washed off daily. In the summer when we are outside and get dirty then it will be more often. we stay inside and dont get dirty or sweaty often so i dont waste water to bathe her, just a wet wash cloth and enough to rinse, daily/every other day.

Becca - posted on 01/19/2010

Thank all of y'all for the advice! I appreciate it! :)

Anne - posted on 01/18/2010

They don't really get that dirty, it's not like she's working up a sweat or anything.

My daughter hates the bath and my midwife assured me that it's ok to bathe her about once a week or so. I usually bring her into the shower with me for a quick rinse and that's it.

Belinda - posted on 01/16/2010

Hi, I did full bath every couple of days, but would use tub(pink hospital) of warm water and cloth every day. What ever you do remember to lotion/oil/message everyday.

Julie - posted on 01/16/2010

Your doctor is basically right. No one should bathe every day even though most of us do. It's not good for our skin. In prenatal class they said the same thing - every two to three days for an infant. No need to do it anymore than that.



I noticed someone said to use baby oil. We never used it. We do use baby Aveeno instead. I heard a story of a toddler drinking baby oil and it asperated into her lungs and there was nothing they could do about it, there is no way to clean the oil out of the lungs - she died the next day. I have not bought baby oil since that story.

Catherine - posted on 01/16/2010

once a day it fine in the evening so she can sleep good and yes it will dry her skin if u do it to much.

Monique - posted on 01/16/2010

I did the full bath every other day but I made sure to do the sponge bath on their bottoms on the off days and plain water on their faces when needed.

Hazel - posted on 01/16/2010

I work as a maternity nurse and bath all babies daily. Babies love being in water and it is very soothing for them ,also make a lovely end to their day. Once dry I all ways massage them with a good olive oil . I never add any thing to the water eg. soaps etc .Saying that , do what you feel is right for your baby.

Tina - posted on 01/15/2010

That sounds like a great routine. So each has their own preference and I know that it is different for each one. Blessings to all. T.C.

Jac - posted on 01/14/2010

I personally give my daughter a bath everyday becoz she loves it = it tires her out then she knows - bath - bottle - bed

Tina - posted on 01/14/2010

I would just bathe the parts that get dirty every day, i.e. the bottom, etc, and or wipe clean and put ointment on or powder depending on what is best reccomended. The actual full bath, depends on the drooling, mess with eating, and so on. Using lotions after a bath is given is also a good idea to keep the skin from drying out as long as you don't use too much. You don't want a slippery baby to try to hold. The every other day sounds good as long as you can keep up with the diapers and don't let that mess get to be too much as in leaving something that you thought you got the first time. My children are all grown so memories of that ritual are only that. I remember however washing them in the sink, or in a baby tub, and very carefully holding on to the baby at that time. I also remember when they were an infant and not yet very big, to have them in the tub with me, with the help of my husband of course. It was only done once a week that way I think. But then it was a long time ago too. I hope that has been of some help. Your baby looks really cute but it's so small in the photo I can't tell much about the face.