I like to encourage my clients to consider putting off bathing their newborn for a few days after birth (my daughter had her first bath about a week after she was born) because 1) the vernix - that cream-cheesy looking stuff - on their skin is actually moisturizing and good to let soak in, and 2) the smell left over from the amniotic fluid is one of many perfectly designed cues that help the baby find the breast to breastfeed, as amniotic fluid and colostrum (the first milk) are said to smell so similar - the baby searches for the familiar and comforting smell.
In case you're wondering why babies tend to get their first bath so soon after being born in the hospital, the reason is that once the baby has been bathed the nurses no longer need to wear gloves every time they touch the baby, because they don't have to worry anymore about the residue of mom's bodily fluids being left on the baby and having the potential of transmitting disease.
That being said, you can always request to delay your baby's bath until you get home, and the nurses will simply continue to wear gloves when they handle your baby.
This video that I'm about to share with you is a beautiful example of how peaceful baby's first bath can be. Enjoy!
In case you're wondering why babies tend to get their first bath so soon after being born in the hospital, the reason is that once the baby has been bathed the nurses no longer need to wear gloves every time they touch the baby, because they don't have to worry anymore about the residue of mom's bodily fluids being left on the baby and having the potential of transmitting disease.
That being said, you can always request to delay your baby's bath until you get home, and the nurses will simply continue to wear gloves when they handle your baby.
This video that I'm about to share with you is a beautiful example of how peaceful baby's first bath can be. Enjoy!
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