Although most children love taking baths, it’s usually not necessary to bathe them every day. Here are a few tips to help guide you through bath time.

How often should a child be bathed?

Most children do not need a bath every day. Unless your child has gotten dirty from playing or eating, taking 2 or 3 baths a week is sufficient until puberty. However, this doesn’t apply to young children who suffer from eczema. Specialists generally recommend they take a lukewarm bath every day, lasting no more than 10 minutes, unless otherwise advised by their doctor.

Preparing the bath

• Make sure the bathwater isn’t too hot. A temperature of 34°C–37°C is usually ideal.
• Don’t overfill the tub. The water shouldn’t be higher than your child’s belly button.
• Avoid using bubble bath and bath oils. These products will irritate your little one’s skin and mucous membranes, and are especially irritating to your little girl’s vulva.
• Choose a mild, unscented soap, not an antibacterial soap. Children have sensitive skin, and antibacterial products can be irritants.

Washing the genital area

For boys

If your child’s foreskin is still attached to the glans, clean only the visible part with water. You can gently pull back the foreskin to clean any discharge that is not visible, but never force it.

Whitish secretions may appear at the tip of the foreskin. Wipe off the secretions, but do not attempt to remove what is under the foreskin. This whitish substance, called smegma, is neither pus nor dirt. It’s a natural secretion that helps the foreskin separate.

By age 3, most boys have a foreskin that will completely retract. If you are able to pull back the foreskin without straining, retract it to remove any secretions that have accumulated there. A buildup of secretions under the foreskin can cause inflammation and may cause the foreskin to tighten. When you’re done, pull the foreskin back over the penis.

When he is 5 or 6 years old, teach your child how to clean his penis on his own.

For girls

After your daughter’s bath, gently part the lips of her vulva. Wipe away any whitish secretions that may be present, using a wet washcloth or bath mitt. Don’t use soap.

At what age can a child learn to wash themself?

A child can start learning how to wash themself by the time they’re around 2 years old. For example, you can ask them to wash certain body parts they can easily reach, such as their arms and legs. By the time they are 3 years old, your child is partially able to wash themself with your help.

By age 4, many children are able to wash themselves, with supervision. Double-check to make sure they’ve washed everything and help them with some of the hard-to-reach areas, such as their back. You should also make sure they’ve completely rinsed off all the soap.

By age 5, most children are able to wash themselves completely on their own. However, children this age should never be left alone in the bathtub. By age 6, most children are also able to wash and dry their own hair without help.

Things to keep in mind

• Unless they are dirty as a result of eating or playing, children don’t need to take a bath every day.
• Children have sensitive skin, so it’s best to use unscented soap and avoid antibacterial soap and bubble bath.
• By age 5, most children are able to wash their bodies on their own, and by age 6, they can also wash their hair.

Scientific review: Dr. Jean Turgeon, Pediatrician Research and copywriting: The Naître et grandir team Updated: September 2020