Last Updated: July 29, 2021
Who knew learning how to bathe a tiny human could be so overwhelming and complicated? Learn how to rock bathing your kids through each age range as they grow.
Bathing your baby is an incredible bonding moment for new parents. You watch in wonder week by week as your itty bitty newborn grows into an energetic, rambunctious toddler. You might start to think, “Do I have to bathe this wild child every single day?”
We've gathered all you need to know about keeping your littles squeaky clean and happy. We've also included where you can cut corners to keep your sanity intact while still having reasonably clean children.
Even though many parents bathe their newborns daily as part of a bonding routine, there’s no need to bathe them more than 2 times per week for proper hygiene.
Once a week is sufficient if they have dry, sensitive skin.
Between baths, wipe your baby's neck, armpits, genitals, and other areas as needed with a wet cloth.
Every parent knows that toddlers are active, wild, and messy. Even so, there's nothing wrong with bathing your crazy tot just 2 to 3 times per week. A little dirt never hurt anyone!
For hygiene purposes, pre-schoolers only need a bath 2 to 3 times a week.
However, keep in mind that little kids with extra sensitive skin or issues like eczema shouldn't bathe more than necessary to prevent irritation and dryness.
Your school-aged kiddos only need to bathe 1 to 2 times per week, unless they tend to get particularly dirty or stinky.
If your child loves baths or showers and it works for your family's routine, there's no reason they can't take one daily. However, if your child has sensitive skin, washing daily might unnecessarily irritate their skin.
Not all kids hit puberty at the same age, so how much they need to bathe during the tween years will vary.
Showering 1 to 2 times a week might work for some tweens, but others who are more active or who hit puberty earlier will need to bathe more often.
Teenagers should shower or bathe a minimum of once a day (or more if they exercise and sweat profusely).
For more insight on teaching your teens how to take responsibility for their own health and hygiene, check out this episode of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Healthy Children podcast.
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Make a vinegar solution with 1/2 cup of white vinegar per gallon of warm water in a clean bucket. Soak the toys in the solution for about 10 minutes, then rub them gently with a clean sponge.
To clean the inside of bath toys, squeeze out any old water, suck up the solution, shake, squeeze out, and then air dry. Using bpa-free and phthalate-free toys and soap will help ensure your child is avoiding all the chemicals too.
Don't forget, playing with clean bath toys in a bacteria or mold laden bathtub kind of defeats the point, so be sure to clean your bathtub regularly too.
Two factors can help you decide when your child is ready to bathe on their own:
Most experts recommend waiting until your child is at least 8 years old, but some children might need to be supervised for longer.
Even though many bath products are marketed for kids, not all are safe to use on sensitive skin. Have a read about which bath items are okay to use with babies and kids.
And check out Grove's 11 best natural and non-toxic bath products for kids as well.
Bubble baths have been linked to urinary tract infections in babies and toddlers under 3 years old and can also irritate sensitive skin.
If your child has sensitive skin or eczema, either skip the bubble bath completely or wait until they’re older and use a gentle bubble bath.
Under direct supervision, bath bombs made from non-toxic ingredients are safe to use with small children. However, the bright colors and food-mimicking shapes might tantalize your toddler into trying to eat the bath bomb.
A lick or small taste probably won't harm them, especially if you choose bath bombs with natural ingredients, but ingesting a larger amount could result in sodium poisoning or choking. Bath bombs might also aggravate sensitive skin and eyes, so decide what is best for your child based on their sensitivity.
If used properly, epsom salt baths are not only safe, but beneficial for your young child. The benefits of epsom salt include helping with eczema, nerve impulses and regeneration, constipation, and serotonin levels.
Ensure you’re buying high-grade epsom salts—low-grade can be toxic and dangerous. Don't use more than 2 cups maximum in a full bathtub, and make sure the salt is fully dissolved before your child gets in the water.
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