I have had a reply off list from someone who says 
I can post it to Lactnet - she says

"the nurses in our hospitals don't like to wear 
gloves and have to put them on anew every time 
they touch a baby who still has mother's body 
fluids on herŠso they bathe 'em all in the first 
hour if possible, unless mothers know it causes 
lots of temp destabilizationŠand refuses to have 
her babe bathed. 
Good babies can go south after that bath since babe is far from mother's skin."

This seems to me that bathing is a convenience 
for the institution, and not a clinical need. 
Obviously, if there are risks to staff or baby of 
an ungloved hand, then wear gloves - but don't 
bath the baby for that reason.

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc, tutor, UK
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