When a baby comes out of the womb, one of their first typical activities is a bath performed by hospital staff. While the timing of this bath varies by location, it’s usually done within an hour of birth. But in the last decade or so, more hospitals and birthing facilities are delaying baby’s first bath until at least 24 hours after birth.
Bathing babies began when births moved from homes to hospitals. The thought process was that the wax coating on babies, or the vernix, needed to be removed from babies’ skin. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that “removal of all vernix is not necessary for hygienic reasons.”
The first mention of delaying baths in infants was in a 1990 Lancet article that recommended the delay due to the impact on breastfeeding and bonding between baby and mom, according to the International Childbirth Education Association. At the same time, UNICEF was also pushing for skin-to-skin care immediately after birth, which can be impacted by removing baby immediately after birth for a bath.
In 2012, the WHO came out with a statement: “Bathing should be delayed until after 24 hours of birth. If this is not possible due to cultural reasons, bathing should be delayed for at least six hours.”
Delayed bathing has numerous benefits. In addition to breastfeeding and bonding, babies also are kept warmer.
“The vernix, which is made mostly of water as well as lipids and protein, is essentially a thin layer protecting a newborn baby from heat loss and risk of hypothermia — a potentially dangerous drop in body temperature,” said TheBump.com. “Because this layer keeps babies warm, it also helps regulate their blood sugar and decreases risk of hypoglycemia.”
The Cleveland Clinic said that “delayed first bath for at least 24 hours may reduce infant mortality and hypothermia. Delayed bath for at least 6 hours may prevent hypothermia as well as hypoglycemia.”
A 2019 study in the Journal of Obstetric Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing reported that the success rate of exclusive breastfeeding is also increased when bathing is delayed.
“The researchers found that [by] pushing back bath time to at least 12 hours…the rates of exclusive breastfeeding rose from 59.8% to 68.2% after implementing delayed bathing practice. It also increased the likelihood that parents reported planning to continue breastfeeding after they went home,” said the Cleveland Clinic.
Skin-to-skin, or “kangaroo” care has been shown to have long-term health impacts for infants. It helps promote stable heart rates and healthy sleep for baby. For mom and dad, it is an unforgettable moment to bond with their newborn and often provides confidence for both parents.
“By delaying a bath, you’re giving more time in those critical first hours of baby’s life to enjoy some skin-to-skin contact, establish connection and begin successful breastfeeding,” said the Cleveland Clinic.
Parents should discuss delayed bathing with their obstetrician or nurse midwife and assess whether it is correct for their child. They can also confirm the policies of bathing at the hospital or birthing location where they plan on giving birth.
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