After a long day at school, childcare or running around outside, your child might come home covered in dirt, sweat or even paint and glitter. You know they need a bath but how often should bathing actually happen?
Bathing helps kids stay clean and healthy. It washes away dirt, sweat, bacteria and allergens that can build up on the skin. A good bath or shower also supports healthy hygiene habits and helps kids wind down for bed. But bathing too often, especially with hot water or harsh products, can dry out and irritate their skin. So how do you find the right balance?
“There’s no one-size-fits-all answer,” said Russell Horton, DO, a pediatrician with Banner Health. “It depends on the child’s age, activity level, skin type and even the time of year.”
We break down how often your child should bathe by age and how to create a bathing routine that works for your family.
Bathing guidelines by age
Babies (0 to 12 months)
How often: Two to three times per week
“With new babies and infants, they only need to be bathed three times a week on average,” Dr. Horton said. “They don’t sweat or play in dirt yet, so it’s not necessary.”
Until the umbilical cord stump falls off, stick to sponge baths. After that, you can gently bathe your baby in a small tub using warm (not hot!) water and mild, fragrance-free baby soap. Focus on skin folds, diaper areas, hands and feet.
Bathing more often may cause more harm than good. “The risks are more with bathing too often, which can dry out the skin and lead to irritation and/or rashes,” Dr. Horton said.
Safety tip: Always check your water temperature before bath time.
“Setting the water heater max to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (about 48 degrees Celsius) prevents accidental burns,” Dr. Horton said. “Over 120 degrees, the time it takes to burn a baby seriously goes down and they are more at risk. Always check the water as well, but setting your water heater is a nice safety net.”
Here are more tips for bathing a newborn.
Toddlers (1 to 3 years)
How often: Two to three times a week, with extra baths as needed
Toddlers are naturally messy. Bathing every other day is a good rule of thumb, especially if they had a long day at the park, playground, sticky snacks or potty-training accidents.
Use gentle, tear-free products and try to avoid bubble baths, which can irritate sensitive skin. If your child enjoys bath time you can make it a daily routine but keep the baths short and follow up with moisturizer if their skin starts to feel dry.
Safety tip: Supervise younger children around any body of water. Never leave your child unattended in the bath. It only takes a few moments and a few inches of water for drowning to happen. Here are tips on drowning prevention.
Kids (4 to 8 years)
How often: Every two to three days, or daily if active
At this age, children begin to become more independent, but they may still require reminders about good hygiene. Make sure they’re washing their armpits, groin, feet and behind their ears — places where bacteria and odor like to build up.
“Generally, around the age of 6 to 8 years, it’s a good idea to start daily face washing with a gentle soap and water,” Dr. Horton said.
If your child plays sports and tends to get sweaty, you may need to increase how often they shower. And don’t forget to rinse off after swimming in a pool, lake or other bodies of water.
“It is a good idea to rinse off after swimming in a pool to get chlorine and other chemicals off the skin and hair to protect those areas,” Dr. Horton said. “After swimming in a lake, the idea is the same. Different types of bacteria, algae and other things are in lakes that, while not immediately harmful, should be rinsed off to protect health and hygiene.”
Tweens and teens (9 to 18 years)
How often: Daily or every other day
As your child hits puberty, oil and sweat production increase — and so does body odor. A daily shower becomes much more important.
“Active children should get in the habit of bathing daily for prevention of harm to the skin, good hygiene and cutting down on body odor,” Dr. Horton said.
Showering daily also helps prevent skin issues, such as acne.
“Daily showering helps decrease the sweat, oils and bacteria that build up and cause odor,” Dr. Horton said. “Bacteria break down the sweat — and that is what causes odor, not sweat alone. Daily showering and clean skin also allow deodorant and antiperspirants to work more effectively.”
It’s helpful for tweens and teens to wash their faces twice a day with a non-comedogenic, fragrance-free cleanser and avoid scrubbing their faces too hard.
Should children bathe more often during the summer?
Dr. Horton said that seasonal changes don’t require major shifts in routine.
“A good bathing routine can work at all times of the year,” he said. “During hot summer months, children and teens may need to shower more often after being in the heat and sweating.”
What about kids with dry skin or eczema?
If your child has dry or sensitive skin, it might seem like less bathing is better, but that’s not always the case.
“Daily bathing is still recommended, especially if they are in a flare-up,” Dr. Horton said. “It helps remove allergens, bacteria, sweat and other irritants.”
Here’s how to do it safely:
- Use warm (not hot) water
- Keep baths short (five to 10 minutes)
- Choose fragrance-free, dye-free soaps and shampoos
- Gently pat the skin dry (don’t rub)
- Apply a thick moisturizer within three minutes after bathing
Moisturizing helps lock in moisture, which is important for healing and protecting the skin barrier.
What if your child hates bath time?
You’re not alone if your child resists the tub and shower. Here are a few ways to make bath time smoother:
- Set a routine (same time each day)
- Let them pick their soap, towel or toy
- Keep it short (under 10 minutes)
- Add music or stories to make it more enjoyable
- Offer praise or small rewards for cooperation
For older kids or teens, give them the privacy and independence they need. Encourage them to take ownership of their hygiene while being available for support, if needed.
Takeaway
There’s no perfect bathing schedule that fits every child. What matters is finding a rhythm that keeps your child clean and healthy and teaching them lifelong habits along the way.
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s bathing habits or have skin concerns, schedule an appointment with a Banner Health pediatric specialist.
