There is no definite answer to this question. When deciding whether to bathe a child, a mother can be guided by the recommendations of doctors, the condition of the child and her own maternal intuition. There are situations during illness when it is not recommended to bathe the child, and vice versa, when bathing will alleviate the condition of the baby.
Temperature
Most childhood illnesses occur with an increase in body temperature. If that does not rise above 37.5 degrees, then you can safely bathe the child. Do not make the water in the bathroom too hot - this will cause the temperature to rise. The best option is to draw on warm water.
If the child has a high temperature (above 37.5), then by bathing in warm water (36.6 degrees), you can reduce it. This will allow less use of antipyretic drugs. In this case, bathing is a way to bring down the temperature, not a hygienic procedure. Do not use gels or other cleansers. Better to just place the baby in warm water and wait a little.
When you can't bathe your child
There are contraindications for bathing a child. Firstly, with otitis media, it is better to avoid water procedures. Secondly, in case of skin diseases, you should also not take a bath. This is not only dermatitis, but also chickenpox. In the case of chickenpox, doctors do not recommend bathing for the first 6 days of illness until the sores have crusted. After the sores are dry, you can bathe the child - this will relieve the itching.
Hygiene procedures are essential during illness. If doctors do not recommend a bath for a child, then it can be wiped off with a damp towel or washed under the shower.
Bathing and colds
The most common illnesses in children are colds. If a child has a runny nose, then moist air is quite capable of relieving his condition. Mucus in the nose is the body's defense. This keeps bacteria in the nose and does not get inside. Many parents make a cardinal mistake trying to dry out a baby's runny nose unnecessarily. Whereas the opposite action helps - humid indoor air, for example. Therefore, bathing in the bathroom is a good help in treating nasal congestion in a child.
All of this applies to coughing. Bathing in the bathroom can replace inhalation. But at the same time, it is imperative to take into account the general condition of the baby, his temperature and the desire to swim. If a child does not want to take a bath during an illness, do not force him.
When it comes to colds, decoctions of medicinal herbs or essential oil (such as eucalyptus) can be added to the bathing water. Before using herbs and oils, you must make sure that you are not allergic to them.
It is very important not to chill your child after bathing. It must be immediately wiped well and dressed according to the room temperature, given a warm drink or breast (if we are talking about a baby). Do not wrap up the child unnecessarily. A sick child should neither get cold nor sweat in clothes.
Thus, it is possible to bathe a sick child, but first it is necessary to assess his condition, listen to the doctor's recommendations and measure the child's body temperature. You will have to evaluate all contraindications for bathing every day while the child is sick.
