Carla,
The original concern for infection with tub baths postpartum was the fear that
dirty water could ascend the vagina and infect the placental site. Studies
were done with women wearing starch impregnated tampons swimming in iodinated
swimming pools, none of the tampons turned brown (Lugol's test, if I remember
correctly) showing that water does not enter the vagina. I'm sure scrubbing
the tub is a sensible precaution, as is the alcohol to dry the cord stump. If
Cesarean mothers can shower (I did on day 2), I personally can't see why they
cannot bathe.
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC NYC [log in to unmask]