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Providing evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults since 1976.
BETTER BATHTIME
Specializing in diagnosing learning disabilities, ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Shelton School and Evaluation Center
6001 Summerside Drive, Suite 204 Dallas, Texas 75252 972.774.1772 Ext. 2243
WWW.SHELTON.ORG
14
april/may 2022 | DFWCHILD
THE EXPERT: Dr. Mansi Lalwani DFWChild Mom-Approved Pediatrician Baylor Scott & White Family Health Center – Mesquite
Q: “My kid hates to take a bath. Is it really so bad to skip a day?” A: Guidelines for how often a child should bathe are based on age and activity level. For newborns, give sponge baths for the first few days of life, until their umbilical cord falls off and their belly button looks dry and healthy. After that, you can bathe them two to three times a week; about 5–10 minutes is enough. Toddlers and young kids should bathe at least two or three times per week. I recommend daily baths if your child has been very active, playing in the dirt, or swimming. If they are very cranky or tired and would like to skip a day, that’s OK. Just do a quick wipe of the dirty areas—such as the face, underarms and groin— with a wet towel, and make sure they wash their hands with soap and water. Little ones are more likely to come on board with bathtime when it’s fun and interesting. Kids love listening to stories, singing songs and playing with waterproof toys. Make sure that you clean bath toys regularly since they can develop mold, which can be harmful to a child’s health. Also, pediatricians generally recommend against bubble baths. That’s because soap is an irritant, and exposure of soap to the privates can result in vulvovaginitis. This often presents as burning and pain during urination or itching in the privates. If your
child has these symptoms, consult your pediatrician immediately. To avoid dry skin, use warm water instead of hot (about 98–100 degrees is safe, and get a water thermometer or dip in your wrist or elbow to check the temperature). Use gentle, fragrance-free soaps, and limit time in the water to 10–15 minutes. Gently pat kids dry instead of rubbing with the towel. Finally, moisturize them using unscented lotions and creams. Of course, supervise bathtime for babies and young children, especially under age 5. Get everything—towel, clean clothes, etc.—ready in advance so you can stay there throughout the bath. Additionally, keep hazardous items (razors, hair dryers, radios) out of your child’s reach. Never leave older siblings to supervise. You may be wondering about showers. There is no magic age to make the transition; instead, follow your child’s cues: Are they able to follow your instructions? Can they stand steady in the shower? Would water falling on their head or soap getting into their eyes cause them to panic? When to transition to a shower will depend on their cognitive and motor skills. Start with supervised showers. Also, consider installing handholds, make sure shower doors are shatterproof, and use slip-resistant mats. A laminated card with bathing instructions may be helpful for kids. For example, wet hair; add shampoo; rinse shampoo; get soap; wash neck, then torso, arms, legs, genitals; rinse off soap. Giving them a clearly defined routine will help them learn what’s expected and teach them how to wash themselves independently. Once kids hit puberty, they should bathe daily. Tweens and teens should wash their face twice a day to remove oil and dirt, and they should take a bath or shower after swimming, playing sports or sweating heavily. If you have a parenting question that you’d like our experts to answer, message us on Instagram @dfwchildmag or email us at editorial@dfwchild.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE; ISTOCK
ALEXIS PATTERSON
