Should babies be showered every day?

BarcelonaThe first thing Adrià Plana, a dermatology specialist at Germans Trias Hospital, makes clear about the frequency with which children should shower is that scientific evidence is scarce. Studies on bathing practices, he points out, are very complex to conduct, which is why, often, "the recommendations we make as dermatologists and pediatricians are based more on theoretical assumptions and our cultural heritage than on firm scientific evidence." Broadly speaking, he adds, what we could say is that bathing cleanses, eliminates microorganisms from the skin, and also eliminates some of the fatty acids found in the skin and hair. This, the dermatologist warns, causes the skin "to have a lower bacterial load and be cleaner, but it also causes the skin to dry out because there is an increase in transepidermal water loss."

The theory is that a newborn shouldn't be bathed until their belly button falls off. What should you do after that?

Pediatricians recommend not bathing babies until the cord has fallen off, as excess water in this area can promote maceration and the risk of superinfection. Once the cord has fallen off, bathing can begin. Plana insists that there is no clear consensus regarding the guidelines, "but it is true that newborns' skin tends to be quite oily and they rarely get dirty (except for the diaper area), so it is not necessary to bathe them every day."

What kind of soaps should they use during this early childhood?

The dermatology specialist reminds us to keep in mind that the skin of babies and children is thinner than that of adolescents and adults, so it's always important to use fragrance-free soaps with the fewest possible preservatives, since, as their skin is more permeable, "exposure to these substances can promote the development of dermatitis."

And what happens when the period of increased movement begins (crawling, walking, running, visiting parks...)?

Although there isn't a clear, defined guideline, Plana acknowledges that as children grow and begin to move around on their own, it's much more common for them to get dirty, "so it may be advisable to increase the frequency of bathing." If necessary, she points out, "they could be bathed every day, and if their skin becomes too dry, it would be advisable to apply moisturizing creams after bathing."

Many experts recommend showering them about three times a week, unless they become dirty, rusty, or come into contact with substances such as chlorine or salt.

The dermatologist urges parents once again to "adapt bathing frequency to each child." If the child engages in any activity that frequently involves getting dirty or coming into contact with irritants like chlorine, he points out, "it may be necessary to bathe them more often or even every day." Otherwise, he affirms, bathing can be done two or three times a week. Another point to consider is the child's skin type. He clarifies that in children with a tendency toward dry skin, repeated contact with water "can promote this dryness, so it may be worth spacing out baths more frequently or using moisturizing creams." On the other hand, in boys or girls with oilier skin or hair, increasing the frequency of bathing can help reduce this excess of fatty acids.

What temperature should the shower water be so as not to dry out or irritate little ones' skin? And how long should that shower last?

While children's skin is more permeable, the dermatologist warns that potential allergens such as fragrances or preservatives found in many soaps, shampoos, colognes, or moisturizers we use on children penetrate deeper and can increase the risk of allergies. That's why he recommends fragrance-free soaps with minimal preservatives. The ideal water temperature, he adds, should be close to body temperature—approximately 37°C or 38°C, "neither too cold nor too hot"—and the shower should last long enough to ensure proper hygiene: "About 5 minutes is enough, but if the child likes it, they could drown."

And once adolescence arrives, should the frequency of showers increase?

During adolescence, hormonal factors activate the apocrine glands, located in areas such as the armpits and pubis, in addition to increasing sebum production. "These two factors can promote the appearance of unpleasant odors, so in some cases it may be necessary to bathe more frequently," warns Plana. However, the dermatologist insists, each case must always be individualized, as there is a lot of variability between individuals.