While going through some older photographs just this week, I found a photo
taken during my daughter's "first bath," almost three years ago. I suppose I
never really took a good look at the photo back then, but now it makes me
cringe! My tiny 6-hour old baby is being held naked under a hospital faucet,
spraying full-blast on her head, by a nurse wearing gloves. Her little body
is bright red, her face crinkled and contorted, obviously SCREAMING with all
her might. I am more gentle when washing a chicken than this nurse was with
my newborn!!! (For the record, this was the only time my baby was away from
my bedside during my 48-hour maternity stay. My husband attended "the bath,"
but I stayed in my room at the time.) My daughter has always HATED, and I
mean HATED to be bathed, and especially to have her head or hair washed. I
could never understand why she feels this way, especially because I am so
very careful with her. I talk, and sing, and do everything to keep her
comfortable, and I have never gotten soap in her eyes. Now, after looking at
this photo, I am convinced that this obviously traumatic bath made a
permanent impression on her. I understand that HIV, Hepatitis, etc. are a
concern but this method of "bathing" is downright abusive.

Just my $.02 ~ I'll go back to lurking now!

Dina Chieffo
LLLL, Woodbridge, CT

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