Babies aren't often bathed in hospital in the UK.

I would like to think the reason is that midwives and policy makers
recognise the points KD raises in her post, and that bathing is not only
unnecessary (at best) but invasive (at worst)....but I think it's more
likely pure pragmatism. When mothers are only in hospital for a short time,
there's just no spare time, or staff, for stuff like bathing. Good : )

However, it's never been a priority. My first baby was born 20 years ago,
and I was in hospital with her for 7-8 days - normal, then.  She wasn't
bathed at all, but that was definitely because of staff priorities, as I
remember staff saying 'we'll give her a bath tomorrow' and then forgetting.

This is cultural, I suspect. The UK had indoor bathing facilities in the
home as a routine about a generation after the US, I would guess, and we
came a lot later to daily bathing and showering than all you clean North
Americans : )   My first job was in a working class, but not deprived,
area of South Wales in 1975, and the family I lodged with had only just got
their first indoor bath - which I was 'allowed' to use twice a week : O

Now, it's normal to shower once a day (or twice, in the case of my
late-to-be bathed first born....)

Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne

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