Health experts are urging Nigerian parents to reduce how often they bathe their newborns and infants, warning that the popular habit of washing babies twice daily may be harmful.
According to specialists who spoke with DAILY GAZETTE, a single daily bath is sufficient for most babies, while preterm and low-birth-weight infants should not be bathed every day.
The practitioners explained that excessive bathing and heavy wrapping can cause babies to lose body heat quickly, exposing them to colds and a range of skin conditions often seen in childhood.
They stressed that newborn skin is extremely delicate and can easily become irritated when subjected to multiple daily washes or harsh products.
A Consultant Neonatologist, Dr. Fatima Abdullahi, noted that while one bath per day is enough for healthy, full-term babies, premature and very small infants require even less.
She warned that washing a baby’s head daily leads to rapid heat loss and advised limiting head washing to once a week, ensuring it is done last and the hair is thoroughly dried.
Abdullahi added that extended bathing sessions or the traditional practice of scrubbing and rinsing a baby several times during a bath are unnecessary and potentially harmful.
In cooler weather, she said, mothers should wait until the environment is warmer before bathing their babies, keeping the process short to avoid excessive exposure to cold.
She advised parents to use mild soaps only, cautioning against black soaps mixed with additives, which can irritate infants’ sensitive skin.
For bathing preterm babies, Abdullahi recommended gentle daily cleaning with light oils rather than water baths, explaining that such infants can safely go weeks without a full bath.
Addressing longstanding cultural beliefs, the neonatologist dismissed the idea that babies who are not washed frequently will develop body odour as adults, stating that the claim has no scientific basis.
She also urged mothers not to rush to bathe newborns immediately after delivery, explaining that the vernix, the creamy white coating on a baby’s skin, helps regulate body temperature in the early hours of life and should not be scrubbed off with soap, ash, or detergent.
Another expert, Consultant Dermatologist Dr. Folakemi Cole-Adeife of LASUTH, warned that overbathing and over-wrapping babies contribute to common skin issues such as heat rash and diaper rash.
She recommended sticking to one daily bath, avoiding heavy sponges, and dressing babies lightly in hot weather, especially when they stay indoors.
Cole-Adeife highlighted the need for frequent diaper changes to prevent irritation and encouraged parents to use moisturising products formulated with gentle ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, ceramides, and coconut oil.
She advised that any persistent skin problems should be evaluated by a healthcare professional rather than treated at home.
