Is bathing your kids every night too much?

Jody - posted on 01/25/2010

Bedtime rituals are sooo important. My son knows that right after dinner it is bath time. He gets so excited. Then he knows it's time for books, then brushing teeth, etc. It's probably his favorite time of day. Kids looove water. The thing that dries out their skin is soap and shampoo. The only time we use shampoo is if his hair is crusty (haha) from the days play, meals or snot-when he's sick. I use an organic, super mild baby shampoo that has never dried out my son's skin ever. Using a little coconut, almond, or e.v.olive oil is an awesome choice for dry skin over lotion than contain chemicals you do not want on your little ones skin.
As far as bathing your two daughters together...oh my garshk...yes...these are the beautiful moments of childhood. The special memories they'll have forever. Please try to always give your children a strong foundation of confidence. We shouldn't be teaching our 3 and 4 year olds to be ashamed of their bodies...weird. Let them splash around together.

Sarah - posted on 01/24/2010

If you're using a mild soap for kiddies and their skin shows no irritation then no a bath every night isn't too much! When my son was a baby he would have a bath morning and night and sometimes still does! He has a bath everynight! If there isn't food and things in their hair try and avoid washing their hair every night, they're more likely to have a reaction to that than the actual bath :) as for what age they should stop bathing together, they'll let you know I'm sure. When your older daughter starts feeling a bit fiercly independant i'm sure she'll speak up!! Hope this helps.

Monique - posted on 01/24/2010

We bath our two every night especially in summer as we live in Australia, in winter they have a quicker bath and instead of using soap every night we put soap in the bath so they have bubbles, their skin has not dried out once. We do however bath individually now that they are both aware of differences, my son is 5 and my daughter 7... Hope that this is helpful :-)

Karen - posted on 01/24/2010

IF UR KIDS LOVE TO BATH THAN BY ALL MEANS LET THEM HAVE IT EVERY NIGHT, ALSO BATHING BEFORE BEDTIME HELPS CALM THEM AND REFRESH THEM FOR A GOOD NITE SLEEP, RE: AGE OF TAKING BATH TOGETHER, WELL MAYBE UNTIL THE DAY WHEN ONE OF THEM WOULD ACTUALLY NOT WANT TO BATH WITH THEIR SIBLINGS BECAUSE THEY THEMSELVES FEEL SHY ALREADY, OR CAN LET THEM BATH WITH THEIR SWIM WEAR...

Sapphire - posted on 01/24/2010

Yes! My almost 5 year old son is one of the STINKIEST kids! Oh man, this kiddo plays rough and hard. He is outside all of the time and defiantely needs to bathe/shower every night to get the dirt off his body and in his hair. I'm not exaggerating either! The kid loves dirt :-) Of course there are exceptions or evenings we simply run out of time.

Hoofrish - posted on 01/24/2010

I have two girls.. almost 8 yr old and 3 yr old. They still bathe together if I'm in a hurry. If I have time, I do it one at a time, but that's only coz my shower stall is getting a little small for the two of them. Otherwise, I don't see any problem in them bathing together if they are the same sex.
As for bathing ever night, in fact, I feel its a must. I miss a bath only if its extremely unavoidable. We ask them to wash hands regularly, so why not the whole body? I think its an extremely good habit for hygiene. I would just make sure to moisturize well, specially in the cold months where skin can dry out quickly. I do the bath time right before bed, its calming and I find easier to get them to sleep.
Happy Bath Times!!

Amanda - posted on 01/24/2010

If they like getting bathes everyday then I dont see anything wrong with it. Why would you think its to much? Theres nothing wrong with being clean. I personally give my kids bathes every other night and sometimes daily or even several times a day depending on how dirty they get. I have a 3 yr old boy that is VERY messy and loves getting dirty. and a 6 yr old tomboy... Bit all depends..and they dont go more than a day in between getting a bath or shower

Shelaine - posted on 01/24/2010

when I read the children's books I remember it saying that you should start to be private with parental nudety around the age of 4 but I don't remeber anything about sibling nudety. I also think it is different with same sex siblings. I also only bath my kids every other day because of eczema.

Kihra-Leigh - posted on 01/24/2010

i look at it in a sense that i enjoy taking a shower everynight i feel refreshed and clean and it helps me sleep better and i do the same with my 8 month old son as for bathing together im 19 and i have a little sister who is 6 and sometimes she has a shower with me if she is comfortable with it i dont mind she also bathes with my son. id let your girls decide and if they want a bath everynight let them it wont hurt them.

Lindsey - posted on 01/23/2010

My oldest DD had bad eczema as a baby and my doctor said a bath every other night was fine, and even every second night when she was very tiny and she stayed home with my mom so she wasn't getting dirty. Winter months I bathe my girls every other day (especially since we're home and they're not out getting germs at daycare or the playground) and in the summer when they play outside I bathe everyday, sometimes it turned to twice a day LOL! My youngest is almost 1 and oldest 3 so they bathe together. They love playing and splashing, I don't think it's inappropriate at this age. They're sisters! And they love bathing. My 3 yr old tells me whats on her mind so when she says she'd like some privacy in the tub then we'll stop but now they're having fun. I used to bathe with my sister and little kids aren't thinking about anything but fun playtime in the water! When we want to get out of the house in a hurry, my husband hands me each girl in the shower and I give them a shower and that is a lot quicker and sometimes easier than a bath.

Rachel - posted on 01/23/2010

I don't bath my kids every night mainly due to skin conditions. But when I do bath them I put my 8month girl old in with the 6 year girl old, take her out, then put in the 8 year old boy, then take out the baby, then bath the boy. My 8 yo is too tall to bath with his 6yo sister and they both want to bath with the baby. So this way they both get 5 mins with the baby then have to wash themselves with supervision.

Emma - posted on 01/23/2010

i bath both my boys every night but dont wash there hair every night though. they love a bath and i bath them together but might stop when my oldest turns 6 in september. i also rub baby lotion into them nearly every night too to stop their skin drying out and this helps to calm them down before bed.

Jennifer - posted on 01/23/2010

When my daughter was a baby, bathing every night gave her really dry skin and she was itchy, so I did it every other night. Now that she is older (7), we have to do it every night, but only wash hair every other night.

Erica - posted on 01/23/2010

HI there...from a hygiene persepctive bathing is important. doing it once a day or every second day you are setting your child a pattern of what is or would be expected of them when they are older. If they enjoy water play while bathing...this of course is beneficial too...helps with their patterns of learning...being able to "figue things out" for themselves as they get older.
As to age for bathing separately...jsut ask them...they will tell you if they want to have a bath on their own...perhaps if Dad is around he can occuppy one child while you bath the other and vice versa. Just a thought. But dont get hung up on it...enjoy the "bath time while you can!

Helen - posted on 01/23/2010

in winter i bath my kids every other nite an give them a strip wash in a morn me an my partner do the same i used to bath my 5 an 3 yrs old together but wen i had my 2yr an 1 yr i changed it my eldest r girls 2yr old is a boy an baby is a girl wat i do now is run the bath an my 5 nearly 6 gets in an has a soak an sings lol she very girly then i put my 3nearly 4 yr old in while she does same i normally fold clothes ect while they in bath bathroom down stairs so i can hear them i get her out run another bath my lil man dont really like baths so he gets in has a wash an gets out then i put my baby in play for a lil while with her then job done its like an army mission bathing for kids so in winter i bath two kids one nite then other two the next nite an so on however the rest of the time they go in every nite which takes ages lol

C. - posted on 01/23/2010

It's not necessary for young children. Unless your child is going out and rolling in the dirt or is just a dirt magnet, you don't need to give them a bath everyday. I think at your kids' ages, every other day should still be sufficient for now. I once babysat a 7,5, and 3 year old (oldest was a boy, two youngest were girls). The boy took his bath first and then the two girls took a bath together afterwards. I think at about 5/6 or so would be a good age to get them to take a bath w/o their siblings.



To those who say to just use lotion for their dry skin.. My son and I have Eczema and I shower daily, my 19mo son gets a bath every other night and still lotions and creams don't hydrate our skin enough.

Temi - posted on 01/22/2010

I just think that maybe for children under four yrs old in the winter months should only take a bath every other night unless the bath is really calling them...lol

Silvana - posted on 01/22/2010

We take showers everyday, why not our children, they play outside, the playground has so much dirt everywhere, they take a shower every night; use lotion after the shower or bath, but they need to be clean and relaxed to be ready to go to bed.

Tanya - posted on 01/22/2010

Well I also have to girls and went through this very thing. No not to much, just watch the time and water.Girls can get a UTI (infection) from to much keep your eyes open for red or complaining of burning or bathroom trouble. I have them shower then bath..they love standing in the shower then when clean have it turn in to a bath.As for the age thing I would say as long as supervised they should be fine untill the older one needs privacy.

Kathy - posted on 01/22/2010

My kids still take showers every night, they are older now but when they were little I gave them baths every night. My boys would play all day in the yard or at the park. Giving your children a bath every night is good, plus when I gave my children baths at night it relaxed them and helped them to sleep better. My sister has two girls now 8 and 5, she stopped giving them baths together when the older one turned 5. I hope this helps:)

ELICIA - posted on 01/22/2010

I think it is totally up to them. Each child is her own person. And when the time comes and they start noticing differences in eachother. On their own that is when they will speak up and say when. Trust me. They are of the same sex too so that is not a problem. Just don't take away the inocense of it all and make it something dirty. they are sisters' after all. As far as it being too much bathing to each his own.

Donna - posted on 01/22/2010

no they will love taking and playing in water, they should stop taking a bath together at the age of 2.

Maribeth - posted on 01/22/2010

Don't know about health concerns in regards to baths too often, but I would use bath times as a distraction at the difficult 4:00 hour. You know the time when you need to get dinner going & the kids are acting too hyper to be healthy? We (the kids & I) would strike a bargin, if they gave me time to get the spagetti sauce started, I would get the bath going for them. I could then bring my book in the bathroom, &let them play. When my husband would get home, he would gladly start the water for the noodles.... Kids would be happy, I would have had some book time(aka Happy), what a blessing it would be for my husband to come home to a happy home! As to an age limit, I think you will find what works for your home. Keep talking to your kids about what you know to be right, they will honor that & YOU will know when & how depending on your kids personalities & comfort level. Truth, presented honestly, will guard & protect your home & family. God Bless!

Lisa - posted on 01/22/2010

yes, a peditrician told me that b/c the kids skin will dry, and get ashy. he told me that every other day is good and that to use soaps like dove or ivory.
i have 3 girls-ages 8,6,5. i have always bathed them together-it's convenient.
the 3 have fun and play games, sing together, etc. the oldest helps me w/the others-they really enjoy it. as long as they enjoy each other i think it's fine to bathe together-but probably when one begins their puberty stage that's when that will all end.

Sekia - posted on 01/22/2010

Children should take baths every night since they are around other people all day with germs flying all around them. Wash the dirt and germs off every night.

Melissa - posted on 01/22/2010

My sister and I used to bath together until we were about 9 and 10 years old (we're 17 months apart). For girls, I don't see a big issue for bathing together. My girls are nearly five years apart and I'll give them baths together. They love the company! If you feel uncomfortable bathing them together, then try giving them separate baths. I feel this is an individual choice, though.

For boys, I feel a bit different, though. I have three and I stopped giving them baths together at a young age (they're now 13, 10 and 7). When they were younger, I gave the older two tandem baths, but only till they were about 4 and 6. I would let the younger two bathe together until the older of the two was about 6.

Heather - posted on 01/22/2010

Every night is too much. It can be very drying for a little ones skin. My kids take a bath every couple of days. Once our kids get older we teach them to be private about their parts. We have a 9 yr old girl, an almost 7 yr old son, and an almost 5 yr old daughter. When they take a bath they play in it for almost an hour! This may sound weird, but they bathe in their bathing suits. This way the still get clean, but can pllay together and not worry about being too old to bathe with brother. Just this year my 9 yr old has actually started taking baths naked. She likes to read in bubble baths. But the two younger ones still usually bathe together in their bathing suits, play together, and have a ball!

Kristina - posted on 01/22/2010

My 5-year-old sister and my 5-year-old cousin have been taking baths together for awhile. It has just no come up that they are needing to stop. So keep going with the baths for awhile .

Laura Jill - posted on 01/22/2010

As far as frequency of bathing goes, if their skin is okay (not red, overly dry or irritated) a nightly bath is a good thing. It relaxes them, gets the days dirt off, and helps them have have some "quiet time" before bed. If you're worried about drying out their skin, just alternate the nights that you use soap on. On alternate nights just let them soak in a warm tub - the skin will still be cleanned. Or you can use the baby gel. It's super gentle on skin and my kids love the bubbles ! =)

Tracie - posted on 01/22/2010

My son gets one every night, especially on school nights. He comes home from school super dirty from playing all day so it's a necessity in my opinion. But on weekends when we don't do much playing outside, we let him skip it from time to time.

Laura Jill - posted on 01/22/2010

If the kids are the same sex, leave it up to them. I have three kids and my daughters still ask for a "doubler" bath - when they both go in the tub together. As Kayla got older she wanted to have her own time in the tub - more space for her toys - LOL. We just followed her lead. When she wants a bath with her younger sister we put them both in, otherwise we let her take her own bath. And if we're really pressed for time - we throw them in together ! Hey, parents are human, right ? =D

Mandy - posted on 01/22/2010

I bath my 3 year old(girl) every other day, washing her skin each time but her hair I only shampoo every other bath.....so maybe twice per week, any more and it gets really dry. Her skin is really dry too because of the hard water here in AZ, but I don't like her to go more than a day between baths. My 10 month old (boy) I bath every third day....more though if he gets dirty (he can be a messy eater). And on the days I bath them both I always do them together, for me its just for convenience.....I can get it done all at once and keep an eye on both of them. They seem to enjoy it too....I'll continue to let them bath together for as long as its appropriate for opposite sex siblings. A year or two at most I'd say.

Ashley - posted on 01/22/2010

i bath my oldest every night and my youngest ever morning. on the dry skin issue..it depends on the child. i've been bathing both my kids since the day they came home from the hospital. my oldest has eczema and my youngest has never had dry skin. not every child will get dry skin if you bath them everyday. my sister baths my nephews everyday and not one of them have ever had dry skin. i personally think kids need a bath everyday esp the older they get. babies are peeing, pooing and puking so yes they do stink. when they get older esp potty training age their peeing on themselves. my sons ped actually told me that he hates it when nurses tell ppl to not bath their babies everyday. he put it to me this way. i like to feel clean everyday and so do babies/children

Victoria - posted on 01/22/2010

I bath my kids every night as part of their bed-time routine. I know I don't like going to bed without a shower so why should they go to bed dirty. Plus I think it's setting them up for good washing habits in the future.

Kaye - posted on 01/22/2010

My son is 3, nearly 4 (in March) and my daughter is 13 months. They bathe together every night. I do have to monitor because I want to be sure that when the time comes that they need to be separated, then I'll decide then.

HANNAH - posted on 01/22/2010

I dont think it's two much i have two active boys(5 and 2) and they still take baths together, on occasion, but the oldest likes showers so he often takes one by himself but they both get bathed daily. I dont like to put them to bed with the day's grime on them.

Julie - posted on 01/22/2010

no i dont think so, the reason i like to bath my 22 month old little boy every night is that it makes me happier to know that i have washed the dirt of the day off him before putting him in his cot. During the day hes been touching things, crawling around on the floor with his toys, touching supermarket trollys, slides, swiings etc. etc. and the way i look at it is that all the germs hes encountered during the day have been washed off in the bath and therefore i am keeping his cot/bedding etc. free from outside germs and as clean an environment as possible. also i think it is relaxing for a child at the end of a day and is a useful tool to teach children the bedtime routine. I have bathed WITH my child everynight since my child was born - this was because i found it easier and less painful on my back and i was able to hold him better than leaning over the bath and didnt worry about him slipping under the water. He just takes this for granted now and i dont ever feel uncomfortable with being naked with him - if you make nakedness an issue than you teach your child that theres something wrong with it. I think when children get towards their teens and their bodies are changing then they become embarresed in front of their parents and siblings but 4 and 2 should be perfectly natural to them and only an issue if they are taught that it is an issue.

Anne - posted on 01/22/2010

Dinner - bath - bed. That was my boys routine from birth and it worked a treat. Many years later it is a shower for hygiene purposes and a bath for relaxing.

Susanne - posted on 01/22/2010

My oldest two boys got bathed together every other day until the oldest was about 8 then they started messing about too much so I stopped it my three year old still jumps in with one of his older brothers sometimes. I think its good for the kids to share and save a lot of time.

Nicole - posted on 01/22/2010

Hi Melinda,

I have two children a 3 and a half year old girl and a 15 month old boy. I bath them every night before bedtime. They are filthy by the end of the day of playing. But then we live in South Africa and its summer here, and they are outside a lot. So I bath them together every day. They love bathing, and playing with the toys, but sometimes my daughter prefers to shower. I believe bathing everyday is essential to hygiene and cleaniness. The only time I don't bath them is if they are very exhausted from a big outing or if it's freezing cold and I can't warm the room enough. Then I might bath them in the morning when it's warmer or skip a bath for the night. In term's of time to stop bathing together, I'm not sure. My sister and I bathed together until we were about 8 and 9 years old. I guess with having a boy and a girl I will stop bathing them together sooner than that. But I think it's still fine to bath a 4 and 2 year old together. Hope that helps!

regards,

Nicole

Chelsi - posted on 01/21/2010

I bathe my 6 month old every night. He love s it and it helps settle him down for bed time. As long as I put lotion on him every night after his bath I have no problems w/ him skin being dry. I only have one child so I don't have experience w/ bathing kids together. But I would think that around 3 or 4 there would need to be some understanding about 'privates' and modesty.

Erika - posted on 01/21/2010

Unless my girls get dirty during the day and require a bath i bathe them every other night. As far as when to not bathe your girls together, i'd let them decide. My daughters are 4 years old and 10 months old and they love taking baths together. It's very cute to watch them, they just love bath time.

Lea - posted on 01/21/2010

It sounds like your kids enjoy it and it is part of their routine. This is great. I didn't develop any self-consciousness about my body until I was much older. Its great that they like to be together. Your older daughter will most likely tell you when she wants to bathe alone. If you are concerned about using soap too often, then don't use it everyday. They can still play in the water.

Alicia - posted on 01/21/2010

I have 2 boys, 4 and 6. My 6yr old just started to ask if he can take a shower alone. and most nights he does but there are times when he wants to take a bath with his little brother so I let him. I don't see anything wrong with it they are both boys now if I had one of each I don't know . your girls are still young and it's easy to do them both together (it was for me) I sometimes wish Dillon would take a bath with his brother cuz now bath time is 45min because I have to do them both!



when they were little (under 1) i did not do bath every night , there skin got too dry but now the 100% boys have to sometimes 2 times lol!

Megan - posted on 01/21/2010

any1 from ireland because in ireland were advised by doctors not to bath a child every night. it can cause the skin to lose its natural oils and become dry well supposedly it does but i dont think ive ever seen a study on it or anything, i bath my little girl evry 2nd night

Crystal - posted on 01/21/2010

My son is 19 months. and sence his cord fell off i give him a bath every night..And i would say sence one of your girls is older then the other. the older one will probably start telling you when she doesn't want her little sister taken a bath with her no more. but usually i would say 6 or 7..

Mandi - posted on 01/21/2010

I bath the boys every other night. They do love their bath, but with ANthony he got dry skin. If it does not bother Cedric's skin, then go ahead and do it everyday if you like. My doc said every day to every 2 days is just fine....I like every other because I LOVE that fresh clean baby smell! :)

Emma - posted on 01/21/2010

I don't think that a bath a day can be wrong as long as their skin tolerates it. My 2 love the bath. They are 4 (boy)& 3(girl) and at present they prefer to bath together. I think that the time though is approaching where we will have to stop it as they are becoming aware of each others bodies. Same sex siblings i think is different and i think especially for girls it is healthy for them to be aware that bodies are different - even sisters I imagine would have differences!

Shawna - posted on 01/21/2010

I give my 4-year-old son a bath about 2 times a week. I will certainly do it more if he needs or wants it. Sometimes it does the trick for calming. I give him the option to have a bath or a shower. I only use a gentle soap on him once or twice a week. I wash his hair with shampoo about once a month. I know this may sound shocking, but I believe we over-clean everything in this culture. We are so phobic of germs that we sterilize everything to the point of detriment to allowing our immune systems to be strong. Our skin and hair have natural oils which are very important to our tissues. I don't see the need to scrub that barrier away. My son is always well-groomed and clean, despite not having a daily bath.

Emma - posted on 01/20/2010

Nothing wrong with a bath every night. My son gets one each night to help him wind down...he tends to get cranky around 6pm, and the best way for me to calm him down is by giving him a bath. As for when they should start bathing seperately, when the older one either complains about it, or when she is old enough to do it herself.