Bathing serves multiple functions in our house. Depending on the day and the kid, it can serve as a wind down tool or a wake-up call; sibling bonding time or much-needed alone time; a skin soother or grime remover. Our children take a bath or shower nearly every day, for these and other reasons. But when one of my sons scratched some dry skin on his hip so aggressively the other day that it started to bleed a bit, I started wondered if maybe we needed to cool it on his daily hot shower, at least during the winter. At the same time, doesn’t his current sport of ice hockey, perhaps the smelliest sport on the planet, call for it?
When our babies are first born, we’re given detailed information about how—and how often—to cleanse their hair, skin, and teeny tiny belly buttons. But when the newborn period is over, so is the annual well-visit spiel about bath time. And yet bathing is something our kids do nearly everyday, with major repercussions on hygiene, body awareness, dermatologic health, and even mood. Clearly, I needed someone to walk me through bathing 201. So I turned to pediatricians Julie Kardos, M.D. and Naline Lai, M.D., HHK advisory board members and creators of the Two Peds in a Pod blog, for age-by-age guidance. Here’s the nitty-gritty on getting kids clean, along with some product recs (based on my own research).
BABIES AND TODDLERS
How often to bathe? Three times a week or less. Be sure to wash their hands after diaper changes and potty time and before meals, however. If they really like bath time, you can do it everyday, but don’t soap areas other than their hands, face, and diaper area, and keep sessions short. The exception is children with eczema; daily bathing can be too drying. For these kids who love the bath, set up a basin of warm water and toys at the sink for them to play with.
What products to use? Mild, fragrance-free soaps or just plain water is best. “Generally, the less scented, the better,” says Dr. Kardos. Research shows that using a thick moisturizer on a young child’s skin everyday can cut their risk of eczema by half. Lotion can feel cold right out of a warm bath; try filling the bathroom sink halfway with hot water and let the bottle warm in there during bath time.
Keep in mind…This never goes without saying: Keep within arm’s reach of babies and toddlers while they’re bathing. Older siblings are fun tub companions, but terrible lifeguards. This is not time to catch up on Facebook, either, as tempting as our iPhones are. Digital distractions around the bath are a hazard for your child and your device.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLERS
How often to bathe? Every other day works for most kids in the early grades. During the summer, though, you might want to make sure they have a quick shower or bath nearly everyday, in order to rinse off chlorine, sunscreen, and possible ticks, and clean any cuts or microabrasions. Make sure they lather up their hands, face, and genital area.
What products to use? Colorfully packaged soaps can motivate school-age kids to bathe, but try to choose brands with minimal fragrance, dyes, and chemicals. Highly-rated ones to try: Kiss My Face Kids’ Bubble Wash ($10, Amazon) Jason’s Kids Only! Tropical Twist Wash Bath Gel ($7, Amazon) and Tru Kids’ Bubbly Body Wash (Amazon, $9), all of which come in fun, gender-neutral designs. Avoid bubble baths, which seem like fun but can really dry out skin and irritate private parts (especially girls). If itchy, dry skin is a problem, fill the toe of a sock with skin-soothing oatmeal, tie or cinch the top, and let it float in the water.
Keep in mind…Kids this age love to lounge, splash, and test their breath-holding capacity underwater, so even if they’re swimmers, make sure you can hear them at all times if bathing takes place in the tub. One idea: Bring a laundry basket into the bathroom or a room adjacent to the bathroom and get some folding done during bath time.
‘TWEENS AND ‘TEENS
How often to bathe? Once kids are around 9 or 10, they really should bathe everyday to stay fresh and clean. Make sure they wash their hands, faces, genital areas, feet, and underarms, as well as the back and chest (which can become acne-prone). As early as possible, teach them to wash their faces at the sink after waking and before bedtime, too, so that if and when complexion issues arise, they will have already developed good habits. Place a mild face soap, like Cetaphil (they make an oily skin version,$10, Amazon ) on the edge of their sink to help remind them.
What products to use? Again, nothing fancy: low-fragrance, mild soaps are best. Bar soaps that contain lotion, like Dove ($7 for eight bars, Amazon), will keep skin from getting dry and itchy. If your ‘tween or ‘teen likes to use a bath poof or sponge, replace them regularly (they are bacteria magnets).
Keep in mind…Big kids need bathing instruction too, especially as they hit puberty. Speak frankly with them about how to clean themselves, including using their pads of their fingers to scrub their scalps and avoid flaking, washing their faces from the top down as opposed to center-out (as not to spread any secretions from their noses into eyes and mouths), and carefully but completely cleaning the groin area. Awkward? Sure! Helicopter-ish? I don’t think so. These are life skills that will boost hygiene, comfort, and even confidence during the trickiest time of childhood.
Loved this article! It’s true we stop asking questions about bathing. This is good information to have. I am ordering up a few products from Amazon to have for the grandchildren. Bet you get good feedback!