RE:  A general rule is that the nurses are not allowed to touch the baby
without gloves until the baby is bathed because of the potential transfer of
HIV from the bit of blood the baby might have on it.  So no, not an
infection risk to the baby, but to the staff.  Theoretically.   At least
that is what we are told.  Jan Barger, RN, MA, IBCLC, FILCA

 

I'm enjoying this thread on bathing the neonate.  I have 3 thoughts.  Why
does God put vernix on the baby?  I have learned in the past that an early
first bath is not a good idea; the vernix caseosa is there to protect the
baby's skin/pores from pathogens.  If that is correct, then it is important
to wait until the vernix is no longer needed and is absorbed by the body.
The second thought:  As for the (theoretical?) infection risk to the staff,
one husband put it perfectly, "So wear gloves!"  The third thought:  Is the
risk of HIV gone when the blood is exposed to the air and dries?  Some
medical staff members have claimed that.  Does anyone know if that is true?

When my daughter gave birth to her first child, she insisted on waiting to
give the first bath until after she left the hospital.  I don't even know
how many days later.  My son-in-law was astonished that she did not "clean"
the baby sooner.  That made me smile.  Later, he put a picture of my
granddaughter, with all her vernix, on the opening screen on my computer.
He's a gem.

Warm regards,

Lee Galasso, MS, LLLL, IBCLC, RLC

Westchester County in NYS, USA

"Children Are Born with the Need to Breastfeed"


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