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Delayed Newborn Bathing

Research has shown us that delaying a newborn’s first bath for at least 24 hours (and no less than 6 hours) after birth has a direct impact on breastfeeding success rates. Delaying the bath encourages plenty of time for skin to skin and establishes bonding and breastfeeding, while reducing the risk of unnecessary stress on the baby. Bathing too early can cause instabilities in temperature and blood sugar.


Your baby is born with a protective layer of vernix, which contains antimicrobial properties that protect against infection, and immune proteins similar to those found in breast milk. Rubbing the vernix into baby’s skin is the only bath she needs! Some parents will choose to delay the first bath until at least 24 hours postpartum (which is in line with the World Health Organization’s recommendations), when mom is feeling well enough to participate and learn from the nurses. Other parents choose to wait up to a month or more, only carefully wiping down baby as needed. 


Delaying the first bath allows you to make it a gentle bonding experience full of loving touch and care. I recommend dim or natural lighting, quiet voices, no soap (even the gentlest soaps can be too harsh for sensitive newborn skin...same goes for lotion) and tons of love! Bathing with baby is excellent if that is an option for you. Breastfeeding in the bath was always my favorite, and makes for a perfect opportunity to bathe baby while they are contentedly nursing. 

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