Emily Oster Says Parents Should Stop Stressing About Bathing Young Kids

May 9, 2026 - 13:00

Economist and data analyst Emily Oster has crunched the numbers on parenting, and her top takeaway might surprise you. According to Oster, the number one chore parents should stop worrying about is giving young children daily baths. She argues that for most toddlers and preschoolers, a full bath every single day is simply not necessary from a health or hygiene standpoint.

Oster points out that young kids rarely get dirty enough to require a daily scrub. Unless they are visibly soiled or have been playing in mud, a quick wipe-down or a rinse in the sink is often sufficient. She emphasizes that over-bathing can actually dry out a child's sensitive skin and strip away natural oils that protect against irritation. The stress of wrestling a squirmy toddler into the tub, dealing with tears, and then drying and dressing them can add unnecessary tension to a parent's evening routine.

The advice resonated strongly with TODAY's Dylan Dreyer, who admitted she felt a wave of relief hearing that she could skip the nightly bath without guilt. Dreyer shared that many parents feel pressured by social media or well-meaning relatives to maintain a strict bathing schedule, but Oster's data-driven approach offers a welcome permission slip to let it go. Instead of forcing a bath every night, Oster suggests parents focus on hand washing, face cleaning, and brushing teeth. The rest, she says, can wait until the child actually needs it.