What do you think about giving an infant an bath everyday?

Question

I figured a lot of people would say not to do it. I was just curious. I do give my 6 week old baths everyday. Followed by a rub down of baby lotion or baby oil. I was told by the doctor not to do this as it would dry out baby's skin. But that hasn't happend. He loves his bath. I was given one everyday as a infant. Didn't dry me out. It just amazes me what these doctors come up with, and what people believe. No wonder babies have diaper rash so much. Keeps Desitin in business tho doesn't it? Thanks for all your answers!

WiserAngel..........then I am full of Chemicals!!!! As are a lot of people then. I've had baby lotion on me since I was an infant. Nothing wrong now.........

Answer 1

Babies spit up on themselves, they sit in diapers all day.....bottom line...babies are dirty and stinky from the day they are born! Its not to sound mean but it is the truth. A baby should at least have a sponge bath everyday to keep them clean. My daughter has a sponge bath in the morning followed by baby lotion and a bath in her tub at night before bed follwed by nighttime baby lotion. To the woman expressing her opinions about chemicals....do you wash your babies clothes? Do you wash her bottles? Do you know how many chemicals are in laundry detergent or dish soaps? Give me a break!

Answer 2

As long as you and your baby enjoy the routine and it doesn't dry out his skin, it's fine. Some people simply have dryer skin than others, and some people are sensitive to baby oils and lotions, so daily bathing isn't a good idea.

We bathed my older daughter almost every day until she was about 2 years old. She liked the routine, and it didn't dry out her skin. However, my younger daughter had some dry patches of skin in the winter (even when we used lotion after her bath), so we backed off to bathing every other day for her sake.

Just do whatever works for you and your baby.

Answer 3

I started giving my kids baths daily when they were about 6 months old. At this point, they were starting to work their pincer grasp and "feed" themselves (although most of it ended up smashed in the palms of their hands or in their hair :)) and also they were sort of scooting/rolling around on the floor. I just didn't feel comfortable giving them a "wipe down" before bed, so I gave them a quick bath every night. I sleep better at night when I've had a bath, and I believe they do too.

One word of advice--my sons' pediatrician suggested bathing them with Dove unscented (bar) soap and if they need lotion, use either Eucarin or Lubriderm Seriously Sensitive. Both my boys had (have, rather) fairly sensitive skin, and neither of these broke them out. The only drawbacks are: a) the soap isn't tear free, so when I washed their hair (they both had peach fuzz) I'd have to be especially careful rinsing them to avoid getting soap in their eyes; and b) the soap and lotion are both unscented, so they didn't have that Baby Magic or Johnson & Johnson "baby" smell. They did smell incredibly clean though--just all around good. Plus, the unscented soap didn't mask their natural baby smell. :)

Answer 4

While it's not nessacary, I have often bathed my son every day. I think it's totally fine if you and baby both enjoy it and you don't go overboard on the soap. I bathe my son often, but mostly with just plain water. About once a week, I'll use mild baby soap if he seems to need it. He is 17 months old and has never had cradle cap and only had a very few short lived diaper rashes. He is very healthy and certainly doesn't stink (unless he just pooped in his diaper of course!).

Answer 5

How old are we talking. Newborn baby... no, every 2 or 3 days is fine. Otherwise they start to stink a little. However, if you just gave the little one a bath and he poops all up his back and everywhere, give him another. My son, when he began to eat solids likes to rub it in his hair and all over. Plus he seems to be always sweaty when it's hot out. so he gets one a day and sometimes 2. Depending on what has happened throughout the day. We go swimming as well. It all depends on your family and your child's skin. Baby shampoos are quite mild and are designed if neccessary to used daily. I like Aveeno baby shampoo. It has moiturizing agents and then I give him a good dose of Aveeno baby lotion no scent. Both my kids skin are so soft and they are both bathed daily. Exhema or not, they need to be clean. This world is full of germs and if you are out a lot and have others handling your baby, you are going to need to clean the baby regularly, especially hand and hair which I find everyone seems to want to touch. If you are worried about cradle cap put Aveeno lotion right on top of her head. I hope this helps.

Answer 6

That will dry your baby's skin out. Usually giving your infant a bath about every other day or just 2-3 times a week is good. Always use lotion afterwards to keep their skin from getting to dried out. But definitely don't bathe your baby everyday. If the baby gets messy from baby food or spit-up, just wipe them down with a baby wipe.

Answer 7

i bathe my 5 month old whenever i have have time. i am currently a "single" mom since my husband is overseas and get caught up with all the feeding and playing and cleaning house that bedtime gets here before i know it most days. my son gets a bath usually once or twice a week and he hasn't stunk once. i keep baby wipes buy the highchair to clean him as he eats and i give him a good wipe down afterwards. when he gets baths it takes forever because he loves them so much that i take a stool in there to sit on while he splashes water everywhere. i would bathe him everyday if i had time because it works wondersa t getting him to go to sleep

Answer 8

Why not? You can use baby soap and skin lotion to keep the skin in good condition. Make it a quiet time at the end of the day before bedtime. Your child will get used to a routine and give you less trouble later on.

Answer 9

if the dr said not too then i wouldn't . my baby is 4mths and i bathe her every other day. the days she is not in the tub i get a warm rag and wipe her thru out the day and then lotion her up . remember babies don't smell like adults or older kids. being that young i would wash up with a rag and bathe her every 2 days and once the child gets a lil older start increasing bath times. diaper creams aren't good either , a lil vaseline on the tush is much better , i never used diaper rash creme , my kids never had it in their lives . every parent is different in their routines. i say listen to the doctor he went to school for all this stuff , you didn't. He knows about it.

Answer 10

Really early on it's not that necessary, the baby is probably not coming into contact with very much that would warrant a bath every day. However, if your baby enjoys the soothing powers of warm water, let her hang out in the water with you or alone in her own tub with no soap. And then oil massage after, very soothing.