Dear Bonnie,

My mother-in-law is from Santa Fe, New Mexico.  She breastfed all eight
of her babies.  A common belief in her family (Hispanic) is that the new
mother do not take tub baths or wash her hair for 40 days postpartum.
They used "head wraps".  New mother's were permitted to sponge bathe,
but the "sitting water" was forbidden.  The baby was also tucked into
bed with mother and Grandma came over to help feed and care for the new
mom as well as any older children. This belief is still prevalent is
some "traditional" cultures.  Of, course, the baby was not put in
standing water(bath) until mom was ready.  You can imagine my poor
mothr-in-law's horror when we had our third child at home and
immediately after giving birth, both baby and I sunk into a deep, warm
tub full of uva ursi, sea salt, comfrey and (gasp!) garlic.  The water
enabled our new son to stretch out and smile.  We have the video to
prove it.  When grandma saw the video, she shook her head and smiled.
She still helped cook and care for the older children and was amused to
find bits of garlic in her newest grandchild's ears.

Heidi S. Roibal BS LLLL IBLCE
Child Development Specialist
Albuquerque, New Mexico