At the hospital I work at (Portland, OR) the primary reason given to bathe
the babies is for protection of the staff from blood and body fluid
contamination.  I also think the parents "expect" it - fathers often want to
"do the first bath", and it is also one of those routines that "has always
been done".  Parents also seem to expect thier babies to have that "baby
bath" scent.

It always gives me a terrible feeling - like I am witnessing baby torture -
to see the transition nurse (one who attends the deliverys to care for the
baby) giving the baby a bath while the baby just wails away!  UGH!  This
usually happens within 2 hours after birth, usually before the baby goes
back to mom or is assigned a bassinet.

It is done under the warmer and the nurse (the ones I have seen do it
anyway) really suds up the baby, who is laying on either the blue chux pad
or receiving blankets.

My dream would be to have available special tubs so that the baby could be
immersed into a gentle bath,  or just wash the areas that are noticeably
soiled such as caked on blood in the hair, etc.

I would  be interested in what other hospitals do around the world as well,
and reasons, too.

Janette

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