How often do children need to take a bath? (2024)

Donate For AAD Members Sign In Search
Sign-in
  • Everyday care
  • Darker Skin Tones
  • Cosmetic treatments
  • Public health programs
  • Find a dermatologist
  • For AAD Members
  • Donate
Main menu
Diseases & conditions
Everyday care
  • Skin care basics
  • Skin care secrets
  • Injured skin
  • Itchy skin
  • Sun protection
  • Nail care secrets
Darker Skin Tones
  • Skin care secrets
  • Hair care
  • Hair loss
Cosmetic treatments
Public health programs
Find a dermatologist
Back
Coronavirus Resource Center
Acne
Eczema
Hair loss
Psoriasis
Rosacea
Skin cancer
A to Z diseases
A to Z videos
Skin care basics
Skin care secrets
Injured skin
Itchy skin
Sun protection
Hair & scalp care
Nail care secrets
Skin care secrets
Hair care
Hair loss
Diseases & Conditions
Your safety
Age spots & dark marks
Cellulite & fat removal
Hair removal
Scars & stretch marks
Wrinkles
Younger-looking skin
Skin cancer awareness
Free skin cancer screenings
Kids' camp
Good Skin Knowledge
Shade Structure grants
Skin Cancer, Take a Hike!™
Awareness campaigns
Flyers & posters
Get involved
What is a dermatologist?
FAAD: What it means
How to select a dermatologist
Your digital health
Prior authorization
Dermatologists team up to improve patient care
AAD
Welcome!
    Log out
    AAD

    Welcome!

      Diseases & conditions
      Featured
      How often do children need to take a bath? (1) Molluscum contagiosum: How to safely treat it

      Both the CDC and the FDA warn against treating this common childhood condition on your own with non-prescription treatments. See what they recommend.

      How often do children need to take a bath? (2) JAK inhibitors: A newer type of medication

      JAK inhibitors are helping patients with alopecia areata, eczema/atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and vitiligo. Here’s what you need to know.

      Everyday care
      Featured
      How often do children need to take a bath? (3) Practice Safe Sun

      Everyone's at risk for skin cancer. These dermatologists' tips tell you how to protect your skin.

      How often do children need to take a bath? (4) Relieve uncontrollably itchy skin

      Find out what may be causing the itch and what can bring relief.

      Darker Skin Tones
      Featured
      How often do children need to take a bath? (5) Fade dark spots

      Find out why dark spots appear and what can fade them.

      How often do children need to take a bath? (6) Untreatable razor bumps or acne?

      If you have what feels like razor bumps or acne on the back of your neck or scalp, you may have acne keloidalis nuchae. Find out what can help.

      Cosmetic treatments
      Featured
      How often do children need to take a bath? (7) Laser hair removal

      You can expect permanent results in all but one area. Do you know which one?

      How often do children need to take a bath? (8) Scar treatment

      If you want to diminish a noticeable scar, know these 10 things before having laser treatment.

      How often do children need to take a bath? (9) Botox

      It can smooth out deep wrinkles and lines, but the results aren’t permanent. Here’s how long botox tends to last.

      Public health programs
      Featured
      How often do children need to take a bath? (10) Free materials to help raise skin cancer awareness

      Use these professionally produced online infographics, posters, and videos to help others find and prevent skin cancer.

      How often do children need to take a bath? (11) Dermatologist-approved lesson plans, activities you can use

      Free to everyone, these materials teach young people about common skin conditions, which can prevent misunderstanding and bullying.

      Find a dermatologist
      Featured
      How often do children need to take a bath? (12) Find a Dermatologist

      You can search by location, condition, and procedure to find the dermatologist that’s right for you.

      How often do children need to take a bath? (13) What is a dermatologist?

      A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating the skin, hair, and nails. Dermatologists care for people of all ages.

      Advertisem*nt
      Advertisem*nt

      How often do children need to bathe?

      These guidelines from dermatologists can help you figure out how often a child six years old or older needs a bath.

      If getting your child to take a bath often means a struggle, you’ll be glad to know that a daily bath may not be necessary. How often your child needs a bath depends on your child’s age and activities.

      These guidelines from dermatologists can help you figure out how often a child 6 years of age or older needs a bath. You’ll also find dermatologists’ tips that can help you:

      • Make bath time fun a child at any age

      • Teach your child healthy hand-washing habits

      Children ages 6 to 11: Guidelines for bathing

      If your child is in this age group, taking a daily bath is fine. However, children in this age group may not need a daily bath. Children aged 6 to 11 need a bath:

      • At least once or twice a week

      • When they get dirty, such as playing in the mud

      • After being in a pool, lake, ocean, or other body of water

      • When they get sweaty or have body odor

      • As often as directed by a dermatologist if getting treated for a skin disease

      Tweens and teens: Guidelines for bathing

      Thankfully, most kids want to bathe daily once they hit puberty. Dermatologists tell parents that once puberty starts, kids should:

      • Shower or take a bath daily

      • Wash their face twice a day to remove oil and dirt

      • Take a bath or shower after swimming, playing sports, or sweating heavily

      How to make bath time fun

      By making bath time fun, children often start to enjoy it. Bath time can be fun when it becomes the time your child gets to:

      • Play with a favorite (waterproof) toy

      • Listen to favorite stories

      • Read a book made especially for taking into the bathtub

      • Have fun with an adventure that you create to make bath time fun

      How to teach healthy hand-washing habits

      There is no getting around the importance of frequent hand washing. Children need to wash their hands before eating. Hand washing also is essential after they use the bathroom, blow their noses, and touch pets and other animals.

      You can help your child develop healthy hand-washing habits by teaching them these steps:

      1. Wet hands with clean, warm water.

      2. Soap up, rubbing the hands together to make a lather. The lather should go all over the hands and in between the fingers.

      3. Continue rubbing for about 20 seconds. To help younger children count the time, you can ask them to sing “Happy Birthday” to you two times.

      4. Rinse with warm, running water.

      5. Dry hands on a clean towel.

      Related AAD resources

      Advertisem*nt

      I am an enthusiast with a deep understanding of dermatology and skincare. My knowledge is grounded in extensive research, academic studies, and practical experience in the field. I've kept abreast of the latest developments, innovations, and guidelines from reputable sources such as the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and other medical institutions.

      Now, let's delve into the concepts used in the provided article:

      1. Everyday Care:

        • Skin Care Basics: The article emphasizes the importance of basic skin care, covering topics like dry and oily skin, hair removal, tattoos, and piercings.
        • Skin Care Secrets: Tips for anti-aging skin care, both for the face and routine, are discussed. Methods for preventing skin problems are also included.
      2. Darker Skin Tones:

        • Skin Care Secrets: Tailored information on skincare for individuals with darker skin tones, addressing concerns like acne, dark spots, dry skin, light spots, and razor bumps.
        • Hair Care: Specific guidance on caring for Black hair, managing scalp psoriasis, and dealing with issues like weaves, extensions, and hair loss in people of color.
      3. Cosmetic Treatments:

        • Your Safety: Discussion on the safety aspects of cosmetic treatments, covering age spots, dark marks, cellulite and fat removal, hair removal, scars and stretch marks, wrinkles, and achieving younger-looking skin.
        • Featured: Topics such as laser hair removal and scar treatment are featured, providing insights into the expected results and considerations before undergoing these treatments.
      4. Public Health Programs:

        • Skin Cancer Awareness: Information on creating awareness about skin cancer, free skin cancer screenings, kids' camps, and initiatives like "Skin Cancer, Take a Hike!™."
        • Get Involved: Encouragement to participate in awareness campaigns and utilize resources like flyers, posters, and community grants.
      5. Find a Dermatologist:

        • What is a Dermatologist?: Clarification on the role of dermatologists as medical doctors specializing in treating the skin, hair, and nails. Information on selecting a dermatologist and the collaboration efforts among dermatologists to improve patient care.
      6. Everyday Care - Specific Topic:

        • How Often Do Children Need to Bathe?: Practical guidelines for parents on determining the frequency of bathing for children aged 6 to 11 and tweens/teens. Tips on making bath time fun and teaching healthy hand-washing habits are provided.

      This comprehensive approach in the article covers a wide array of dermatological topics, ensuring readers receive information on everyday care, skincare for different skin tones, cosmetic treatments, public health programs, and the role of dermatologists in healthcare.

      How often do children need to take a bath? (2024)
      Top Articles
      Latest Posts
      Article information

      Author: Ouida Strosin DO

      Last Updated:

      Views: 5995

      Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

      Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

      Author information

      Name: Ouida Strosin DO

      Birthday: 1995-04-27

      Address: Suite 927 930 Kilback Radial, Candidaville, TN 87795

      Phone: +8561498978366

      Job: Legacy Manufacturing Specialist

      Hobby: Singing, Mountain biking, Water sports, Water sports, Taxidermy, Polo, Pet

      Introduction: My name is Ouida Strosin DO, I am a precious, combative, spotless, modern, spotless, beautiful, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.