The Big Deal about bathing babies came, I believe, with the bottles
containing liquids that made babies not smell good.  Did you ever read in
Dr. Spock's baby book about how to bathe the baby?  Wow! It was quite
detailed and exact.  One of the first important steps was "Remove your watch."

The pediatrician for my second baby had specialized in dermatology and he
taught me that babies aren't dirty.  He said most of the skin problems he
saw were caused by too much washing, removing the protective oils nature
provides the baby.  He said no soap for a looooonnng time.

A great family physician was asked by a mom when she should wash the baby
with soap.  His reply was, "When his knees get dirty."

I would wash my infant's face with a wet cloth if she had milk dried on it.
Otherwise I just held her over a sink and splashed warm water over her
diaper area about once a day.  Long after the cord was off she would get a
warm clear water bath whenever I had time.  No soap until she was visibly dirty.

I do share this information with moms whom I work with.  Most disregard it
because they were so impressed with the "procedure" demonstrated to them in
the hospital and also by the high interest in bathing on the part of Grandma.

If a mom or dad wants to get into the bath with a baby (no soap) and just
enjoy the bonding experience I encourage them to do it cord or no cord.

I'm glad to see the new/old cord treatment being proposed.  I picked up from
midwives I work with that cords come off more quickly and with less problem
if either left alone or if goldenseal powder is sprinkled on once a day.  It
is a drying agent, while having antibacterial properties.

Patricia Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee
mailto:[log in to unmask]