Can a baby take a bath when they have a cold?

Written by Yan Xin Liang

Pediatrics

Updated on January 13, 2025

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When babies have a cold, it is generally not recommended to give them a bath soak, but showering is acceptable. This is because soaking for an extended period may worsen the symptoms of the cold. However, if the baby has a fever, showering with warm water can help reduce their temperature, which is an effective physical cooling measure. But if soaking in a bath, the extended time in the water and the slight dilation of pores may allow cold to penetrate further into the body, potentially worsening the cold symptoms. Therefore, under these circumstances, it is temporarily advised against giving babies a bath soak. However, a medicinal herbal bath is a different matter.

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