- Some said every other day.
- Many said two times a week.
- One said when they start smelling.
I, and only a couple of other Moms, bathe my kid every single day. We are definitely in the minority... no doubt about it! I started giving Sidekick a bath at four weeks old, which is when he got on a schedule and slept from 7:00 PM-3:00 AM (give or take) and then back to sleep until 7:00 AM. It became part of his bedtime routine and if a bath contributed to his success, then I was sticking to it. As he got older, he didn't need a bath to go to sleep (he's always been a great sleeper), but a bath killed time, especially in the winter. There were more times than not when he was in the bath for at least an hour. The nights when he was so crabby and I had to somehow make it to bedtime, I put him in the bath. The nights when I was exhausted and needed an easy way to entertain him, I put him in the bath.
I've always felt like he was dirty after being in school all day long and so sweaty after playing outside. That's kind of gross. Many "experts" say not giving them a bath every day is good for their immune system. Sidekick has always been a healthy boy (with the exception a bad case of hand, foot, and mouth and rotovirus), so I debunked that theory. He rarely even gets a cold. I've always thought that if I like being clean before I go to bed, he must also. Many times he takes a shower with me or is in the bath for a quick scrub down, but nonetheless, he goes to bed clean seven nights a week (or on the rare occasion, six nights a week).
Apparently, I am the odd Mom out when it comes to this, but I have to admit, I'm pretty grossed out by the two times a week bath with a toddler. I cannot imagine if I only showered two times a week. Eeewww... Sorry if I offended anyone. I'm not a clean freak, but I sure like to be clean and I want my son to be also. There's nothing better than reading books in Sidekick's bed with the sweet smell of a clean boy. Best scent ever.
I also started giving Eyes a bath every night when he was a baby starting at three weeks, it was our routine too. However, then he started having issues with dry skin, and our doctor recommended backing off. So we got into a two baths a week habit, and his skin has been healthier. Bean has had rashes since day one. I apply coconut oil to his face three times a day and his face is still dry....so he only baths twice a week and washcloth wipe down on other nights. All this goes against my nature, I'm a water waster and I actually shower twice a day!
ReplyDeleteHaha! That must be hard if you are a water waster. At least you wipe them down. I cannot imagine not doing anything after Sidekick plays outside and sweats all day long. So yucky! Many people just said that they only do it two times a week... not for reasons like you stated. I guess I just lucked out with lathering lotion on my little guy after every bath.
DeleteL has very sensitive skin as well and coconut oil actually made it worse! It can have a drying effect. I only bathe him once a week but wipe him down daily. His skin got way better once I stopped using any creams and oils on him completely! Maybe that'll help you too. Also breastmilk heals open skin in no time :)
DeleteTotally agree. I remember the smelly kids in school and you wouldn't want sidekick to be remembered that way!
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