KANSAS CITY, Mo. Parents may think theyre doing their babies a favor by bathing them frequently. But now doctors think that too much bathing and not enough moisturizing may increase the chances of eczema, a common skin disease. At four months, Sabrina Bellach loves bathtime. So does her mom, Melissa. But that doesnt mean it should be a daily routine. Our pediatrician definitely warned us when both our kids were bornfewer baths when theyre younger and make sure to take care of moisturizing their skin, said Melissa Bellach. Pediatricians recommend no more than two or three baths a week so babys skin wont dry out. Yet one survey found babies are getting on average five baths a week. Bellach understands why some parents may be overbathing. You worry about germs especially in the winter, and you want to keep your baby clean, she said. But some researchers say frequent bathing may be contributing to more kids having eczema. It causes dry, itchy, irritated skin that can lead to infections and even hospital stays. Up to 20 percent of kids have eczema compared to three percent decades ago. A new study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology finds too … Continue reading →