I would think that infection control would not be an issue here.  In our hospital newborns are given their first hep-b and vitamin k injections during the immediate newborn assessment which creates a greater risk for infection with the break in skin integrity. This is usually within the first hour unless a birth-plan specifies differently.  
The vernix caseosa, in which the neonate is covered in, serves as a skin protectant for the infant while in utero.  I bathed my own 4 children about 24 hours after delivery and rubbed the vernix into their skin prior to the bath as it is an excellent moisturizer for them as well.  The instant bath only serves to be an additional shock to someone who had been pushed out into a loud, bright, cold, and handsy world.  Newborn baths are essentially more of a comfort/convenience thing for some families and staff.  Personally- I would encourage not separating mom and baby, unless medically necessary, when they are both just learning to breastfeed.  Another option would be to encourage mom and dad to give baby his or her first bath when they are ready, this is an excellent opportunity for patient education in infant hygiene. 
The only problem I could see is a minor inconvenience for the nursing staff who would be required to wear gloves when handling the baby in reference to body fluid contact.  (I suppose if there were an existing disease process requiring the removal of this protective layer then breastfeeding may well be contraindicated as well, would it not?)
I will attempt to find some evidence based info and pass it on to you.  In the mean time, according to Old's Maternal-Newborn & Women's Health Across the Lifespan text "...it is absorbed within 24 hours after birth..."  I should also mention that Wong's Nursing Care of Infants and Children states that "...attempts to remove vernix through bathing is avoided to prevent tissue damage...vernix will disappear after several days." 
 I hope this helps.
 
Natasha Sears, LPN
RN on the OB unit in 5 more months!


      

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