I work in a teaching hospital in NSW - we have never bathed the babies
at birth. The hospital has been open for > 30 years. The first bath was
left to the next day (ie about 24 hours or so). The stress and risk of
dropping the temperature was considered unnecessary. Plus it was
considered the right of the parents to do the first bath if the parents
were able to. There was no research behind it - it made sense 30 years
ago. 

Gwen

Gwen Moody
CNC Postnatal Care
Westmead Hospital
PO Box 533 Wentworthville 2145
Phone: 02 9845 6964, 0422212774
Fax: 02 9845 8340
Page: 02 9845 5555 - 01135
email: [log in to unmask]

>>> [log in to unmask] 24/01/2009 11:48 am >>>
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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