Why You Shouldn't Bathe Your Baby. . .

by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger

03 Jun 2007 10:12 PM

. . .every day.

I don't know how many of you do this. Maybe our family is disgustingly dirty and I just didn't realize it. But I have never, not at any point in my babies' lives, bathed them once a day unless every day they were out playing in dirt. Since little babies can't play in dirt until they're mobile, they were bathed once or twice a week. Even now that my kids are older, I prefer to bathe them as needed. . .which can be once a day. . .but isn't necessarily.

Apparently, the experts agree with me: babies don't get dirty enough to warrant a daily bath until they are mobile. A new study has shown that childhood skin problems like eczema are on the rise. In fact, your baby is twice as likely to have sensitive skin issues that you were!

The culprit of these skin nuisances? Too much bathing, say the experts! Well that and too many skin care products. Apparently, this generation of parents are really into buying the latest baby wash or bathing product. I have to admit that when my first daughter was born I had baby wash with lavender (for 'soothing effects') vapo-baby bath for when she had a cold, and plain old baby wash for other days when neither of the first two seemed to fit. Ironically, despite my being lured by the pretty bottles, I still never bathed her more than a few times per week.

Did You Know?

A baby's skin is five times thinner than an adult's.

You should bathe your baby no more than three times per week.

You should not use antiseptic wipes on your child's hands.

You should not use soap when bathing a baby.

Protecting Your Child's Sensitive Skin

It is important to use a good moisturizer not only to treat skin problems but to prevent them. Unless your child is especially prone to having sensitive skin, you don't have to spend money on detergent or fabric softeners for babies, nor do you need to buy baby wash and other as sundry bath time soaps. Simply rinse your baby in plain water, pat the skin dry, and follow up with a good moisturizer. Of course, being that summer is upon us, it is important to make sure your baby's skin doesn't get sunburned.

Learn more about Valorie Delp

Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line.

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