Bath time is a fun, enjoyable moment for many babies and children, but for others, the longer it’s delayed, the better. No two children are alike! What matters most is establishing a bath and personal hygiene routine so that cleanliness and self-care become a natural part of daily life. In this article, we share ideas for building these routines, highlight what matters in everyday care, and suggest the best products.

What does personal hygiene for children consist of?

The bathroom routine

In personal hygiene care, a bathing routine is essential. From a young age, babies often enjoy bath time: it relaxes them, brings them comfort, and it’s very likely that being in warm water reminds them of being in the mother’s womb. But don’t worry if that’s not the case. Some babies cry during bath time. It might not be the best moment, they might be tired, or the bath or water temperature might not be right. In our article The baby's bath time , we share tips to help make bath time a pleasurable experience. As they grow, the bath routine changes too: gradually, your baby begins to sit up, splash, and play. There are many toys designed for bath time! It’s a good idea to use a small bathtub for your baby at first, but as your little adventurer grows, they’ll need to move to the regular bathtub or shower. And for safety, remember: place a non-slip mat in the bathtub and never leave your child alone in the water. Keeping this in mind is essential to prevent accidents.

Some children don’t want to get out of the water and stretch this moment until their hands are wrinkled. Others don’t even want to hear about bathing or showering. This may be because they want to keep playing or painting, but it can also be due to a fear of water. If you suspect this is the case with your child, don’t force them or threaten punishment. Try to help them explain the reasons for refusing the bath routine, and then create a plan to introduce them to the pleasure of water. Letting your little adventurer bathe their toys and dolls in a basin can help them see that nothing bad happens and build their confidence. Another good idea is to bathe or shower together. This way, your child not only feels safe, but also learns that bath time is natural, normal, and enjoyable. Most importantly, be patient. Most of the time, fear of or resistance to bathing is just a phase that will pass on its own. If it persists or worsens, don’t hesitate to consult your pediatrician.

Hair Care

When we talk about personal hygiene, hair care is also important. Children’s hair doesn’t get dirty as quickly as adults’, so it isn’t necessary to wash it every day; once or twice a week may be enough. As with bathing or showering, it depends on how dirty it gets and what activities and games they do during the day. When washing hair, it’s best to tilt the head back or downward and place a towel on the forehead to prevent water and soap from getting into the eyes. After rinsing thoroughly, gently dry the hair with a towel to remove excess water, then comb and detangle it. In winter, a hairdryer can be a great ally, but in summer, you can take advantage of the warmth to let hair air-dry and avoid damage.

Tooth brushing

Learning to brush your teeth should be an essential part of good hygiene. From a young age, these care routines should be part of daily life after each meal to support oral health and help prevent dental problems. In the article 6 tips to take care of your baby's teeth and prevent cavities, we share 6 tips to keep your little adventurer’s teeth healthy and beautiful. Remember to set an example by brushing your own teeth after each meal, because children learn by watching you.

Cleaning of intimate areas

Although it isn’t necessary to bathe or shower your little one every day, diaper care is still a daily task. Even as your child grows and needs fewer diapers, it’s important to clean the bottom and genital area with each diaper change. Our are an ideal alternative to cotton and water for every change. We recommend that, at least once a day—for example, before bedtime—you thoroughly clean these areas with soap and warm water. Don’t forget to dry the area well after each cleaning to help prevent irritation and fungal growth. And if your child no longer uses diapers, you can include intimate-area care beyond the bath routine as part of their morning and/or evening routine.

Ear care

Ear care should be done regularly, but never with cotton swabs. These products can push wax into the ear canal, increasing the risk of blockage. We recommend cleaning the auricle and the external auditory canal with a soft towel or a damp wipe.

Cut the nails

Many germs hide under nails, so it’s important to keep your little adventurer’s nails clean and short. You can use special scissors or a nail clipper. The time after a bath is ideal for this because hands are clean and nails are softer, making them easier to trim.

Wash your hands

How many things your little ones play with throughout the day! And not just toys. Sand, mud, leaves, sticks… By the end of the day, their hands are an Impressionist painting full of colorful spots. It’s essential that children, just like adults, wash their hands thoroughly with soap several times a day. Depending on your little adventurer’s level of independence, you can teach them to wash their hands on their own and let them do it independently.

How to create a bathing and hygiene routine?

How often does your child need a shower or bath? For babies and young children, it isn’t necessary every day. Unless your child gets dirty while playing or eating, or has sweated a lot, daily baths aren’t needed. In general, a bath a couple of times a week is enough. What you do need to ensure is that their hands and feet, intimate areas, and face are kept clean.

Building a bathing and hygiene routine is important not only for health, but also for interpersonal relationships. To create a care routine, it’s important to:

• Set an example. You can’t ask children to do what you don’t do yourself. If you want your little ones to grow up understanding the importance of hygiene, lead by example and be a role model.

• Don’t force it. Obligation doesn’t educate. When establishing a bathing and hygiene routine, pressure isn’t effective; instead, offer support, resolve conflicts if they arise, and explain why it matters with empathy.

• Integrate hygiene routines seamlessly into daily life. Just as you eat or get dressed, hygiene habits should be part of the everyday routine for everyone in the household.

What are the most suitable products for care in the bathing routine?

When it comes to hygiene and care products for babies and children, less is more. Babies’ and young children’s skin is much more delicate than adults’ because their protective skin barrier is still developing. Their sweat and sebaceous glands also don’t function like those in adults, so young children’s skin isn’t yet sufficiently protected by the hydrolipidic film. Because their skin is more sensitive and dries out faster, it needs special protection.

For daily body cleansing, choose a gentle, fragrance-free, soap-free cleanser with a neutral pH similar to the skin’s. This makes irritation less likely. For hair, the ideal choice is a gentle, fragrance-free shampoo. For example, the Daily Bath Pack from Freshly Kids, which includes a shower gel and a gentle shampoo made from 100% natural ingredients.

To soften the bath water, you can add a few drops of body oil, such as our .

For the face and dry areas, you can apply a gentle moisturizer specially formulated for little ones’ delicate skin. If your child has diaper dermatitis, choose a fragrance-free, zinc-based diaper rash cream.

Finally, always remember to check the ingredient list of the care products you use for your child.

Our advice? Keep it simple and avoid products containing alcohol, perfumes, or artificial lotions.

Let’s go swimming!