How Often Should You Give Your Baby a Bath?

Between spit-ups, blowouts and mealtime messes, it might seem like your baby could use a bath every day. But when it comes to keeping your little one clean, more isn't always better. In fact, bathing your baby too often could actually cause problems for your baby's delicate skin, like dryness and irritation.

So how often should you really be bathing your baby? We talked to Dr. Mona Amin, pediatrician and host of The PedsDocTalk Podcast, to get expert guidance on creating the right bathing routine to keep your baby’s skin clean and healthy.

How frequently do babies need baths?

The short answer: probably less than you think. The frequency of baths your baby actually needs will change as they grow and become more active, but in the first year, just a couple times per week will do the trick.

Newborns (0–2 months): 2–3 times per week*

In spite of how messy they seem to get sometimes, newborns are surprisingly low-maintenance when it comes to baths. Remember that “their skin is delicate and doesn’t get very dirty,” Dr. Amin says. Since they aren’t crawling, playing on playgrounds or jumping in puddles just yet (don’t worry, that time will come soon enough), a gentle sponge bath every few days is plenty. You’re already wiping them down during diaper changes and after meals, so the most important parts (face, neck, diaper area) are regularly taken care of.

And especially in the earliest newborn days, it’s not recommended to give your baby a full bath. “Until the umbilical cord stump falls off, sponge baths are the best way to keep them clean,” Dr. Amin says, since submerging the cord stump will keep it from drying out and could prolong the healing process.

*It’s also totally fine to bathe your newborn fewer than two to three days a week. If their skin seems clean and healthy (and smells okay), then you might do the recommended newborn-safe sponge baths once a week or thereabouts.

Infants (2 months–12 months): 2–3 times per week

As babies start getting mobile and eating solid food, their mess factor increases. While a full bath still isn’t necessary every day (though totally fine if you want, as long as baby’s skin isn’t getting dry or irritated), you might find yourself rinsing them off more often—especially if they go all-in on their sweet potato puree. At minimum, Dr. Amin says that  “daily spot-cleaning of the face, hands, and diaper area is essential at this stage, [though] you may need to bathe them more often if they get messy from blowouts or starting solids.”

A warm bath can also be a soothing addition to baby’s bedtime routine, especially if they typically have a hard time settling down. And if you’re doing bedtime baths nightly, Dr. Amin says “you can simply skip the soap on some days to maintain the routine while protecting their skin.”

Toddlers (12+ months): 2–3 times per week (or as needed)

Once your little one is walking, running, climbing and exploring, baths may become more frequent simply out of necessity. If your toddler’s idea of a good time involves fingerpainting on themselves rather than on paper, a daily scrub down might be in order. Otherwise, a couple times a week is still a good baseline. 

“Ultimately, bathing frequency depends on the child’s activity level, skin condition and individual needs,” Dr. Amin says. There may be some weeks, especially in the winter or anytime you’re staying at home more, when your baby or toddler only has one or two baths a week. On the flip side, there may be some weeks when your kiddo gets a bath every single day because of daily trips to the playground or a series of particularly messy activities.

Can you bathe your baby too often?

There is such a thing as too many baths—too much water and soap isn’t good for baby’s sensitive skin. There’s no definitive, across-the-board baseline for how often babies should get a bath; you should use your baby’s skin as the determining factor in whether or not their bath frequency is working. Here’s what to keep an eye out for: "Bathing a baby too frequently can strip their skin of natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation or even worsening of skin conditions like eczema," Dr. Amin says. “In some cases, over-bathing can make the skin more prone to cracking, which increases the risk of infection.”

So if your baby has had a fairly mellow day—no blow outs, no sweating, no adventures into the sand pit—then a quick wipe down of their face, neck, diaper area and any large skin folds (chunky babies need their rolls tended to, especially neck rolls) with a basic baby wipe will be enough to keep baby fresh and clean without risking damage to their skin’s delicate protective barrier.

On the other hand, Dr. Amin says to also be aware of not bathing your baby often enough. “Bathing too infrequently can allow sweat, dirt or milk residue to build up, leading to odor, skin irritation or diaper rash in sensitive areas. Striking a balance is key to protecting their delicate skin.” Again, your baby’s skin will be the determining factor, here. Bathtime balance might look two to three times a week, more frequently or less frequently—whatever keeps baby’s skin healthy and smelling fresh.

Signs you may need to adjust your baby’s bath routine

If you’re not sure whether you’re bathing your baby too often—or not enough—Dr. Amin recommends paying close attention to their skin.

• Too many baths: “Dryness, flaking, redness or irritation in skin folds may suggest over-bathing,” she says. If your baby’s skin seems dry, you can also add a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer to their daily routine to help rehydrate their skin.

• Not enough baths: “Odor, redness or buildup in the neck, diaper area or creases may indicate a need for better hygiene,” Dr. Amin says. In these cases, she recommends just gently washing these specific areas—you don’t need to give your baby a full bath (i.e. washing their hair if it’s not dirty) every time.

What if baby is sick or has a skin condition?

If your baby has eczema or cradle cap, or if an illness is causing vomiting or fever, you might consider adjusting their bath routine to help them feel more comfortable and prevent irritation.

• For eczema and very dry skin: “A consistent but gentle bathing and skincare routine is key to preventing flare-ups,” Dr. Amin says. “Use lukewarm water and limit bathtime to five to ten minutes to avoid drying out the skin.” She also recommends using a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic soap or cleanser only where needed, such as the diaper area, hands and folds. “Immediately after the bath, while the skin is still slightly damp, apply a thick, fragrance-free moisturizer or emollient to lock in moisture.”

• For frequent spit-up or illness-induced vomiting: Babies who spit up often will need their neck, chest and face cleaned more frequently. “Daily sponge-cleaning of these areas may be necessary to prevent odor or skin irritation,” Dr. Amin says.

• For fever or a cold: A lukewarm bath can be soothing if your baby has a cold or fever, but daily baths aren’t necessary unless they’re sweating a lot. If baby has a really runny nose, gently cleaning with a wet wipe or wash cloth a few times a day to get any dried mucus off should be enough between baths.

• For cradle cap: “Bathing every one to two days with a gentle cleanser and softly brushing the scalp can help loosen flakes,” Dr. Amin says, but she also says not to scrub too hard or too much, because that can make scalp irritation worse.

• For diaper rash: “Frequent diaper changes and thorough cleaning are more important than full baths,” Dr. Amin says. “Though additional baths with lukewarm water and no soap can help soothe irritated skin if needed.” You can also soothe current diaper rash and protect against future rashes with diaper rash cream; just apply a thin-to-medium layer to the affected area at every diaper change (after thoroughly cleaning the area).

Keeping Baby Clean Between Baths

Daily spot-cleaning is essential even if you're not doing full baths every day. "A damp washcloth is great for gently wiping the neck, face and skin folds, especially where milk or drool tends to collect," Dr. Amin says. "Pat these areas dry thoroughly to prevent moisture from getting trapped."

It’s also important to thoroughly clean baby’s diaper area at every diaper change. And don’t forget baby’s hands, which should be washed after meals, messy activities and outings to public places—be sure to get between their fingers too, where food and gunk tend to collect. 

And if baby’s clothes get dirty or wet, Dr. Amin says to change them ASAP, since leaving damp or messy clothes (including bibs) on baby’s skin can also cause irritation.

Navigating Different Hygiene Advice

If you're noticing conflicting advice on baby hygiene (especially online), you're not alone. "The best way to navigate this confusion is to focus on your baby's individual needs, which can vary based on their age, activity level, skin type and health," Dr. Amin says. “A good starting point is to consult your pediatrician, who can provide tailored recommendations based on your baby’s skin health and any underlying conditions, like eczema or diaper rash.” She also recommends relying on advice from professional organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics rather than social media. 

And remember that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to infant hygiene. “Cultural practices around bathing can vary widely, and understanding this diversity can help parents feel more confident in their routines,” Dr. Amin says. Some cultures have traditions around daily bathing, using herbal or oil bath treatments or incorporating infant massage, while other cultures may have bathing preferences that are less frequent and more minimalistic. “Parents should feel empowered to adapt practices that align with their values and traditions while keeping their baby’s skin health in mind.”

Dr. Amin emphasizes that there’s no “right” way to bathe a baby, so try not to stress about it. The most important thing is to pay attention to your baby's skin and adjust their bathtime routine as needed. When in doubt, always check with your pediatrician for personalized advice based on your baby's specific needs.