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Expert Q&A
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| By Michael F. Wasserman General Pediatrician | ||
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Do kids need to bathe daily? During the winter months, I go every-other-day – sometimes every two days. Of course, I will "wipe them down" if they get messy between baths. At what age do they need daily baths?
Children may not need to bathe daily, and in fact those children with certain skin conditions (e.g. eczema) are advised to bathe infrequently so as to not remove skin oil. However, older children who play vigorously may have problems with odor. Also, there may be problems with skin infections if appropriate care for skin hygiene is not taken. In summary, usually after age 1 or 2 years, I believe that it is generally a good idea for daily baths. Ultimately, you do wish to teach good grooming and hygiene habits.
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