Lee and others,

I'm not sure about the truth of the HIV theory but I have heard that as
well.  HIV actually dies pretty quickly without a supportive host
environment.  It would stand to reason that if a baby did not get a bath for
6 or more hours, it would be highly unlikely that HIV would still be living
on the skin.

This is a study I have always loved.  (DISCLAIMER:  It's been a long time
since I posted on this site so I apologize in advance if it is not okay to
link things here.  If this is taboo, would someone just please gently remind
me?  Thank you!)

There are several study reviews on this page but if you scroll to the
bottom, there is a review on a study entitled, "Antimicrobial Properties of
Amniotic Fluid and Vernix Caseosa Are Similar to Those Found In Breast
Milk."  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1595247/

The above-linked study has been something I've carried around with me to
help convince other nurses that we are bathing too soon.  Nurses like
scientific data and as such, this has helped many come around to the idea of
delayed bathing.  As I mentioned in a separate post, we have finally
effected some change in policy on our unit because of it and because of
information the WHO booklet regarding infant thermoregulation!

Christina Harris, RN
Federal Way, WA

On Wed, May 25, 2011 at 10:44 AM, Lee Galasso <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>
>
> RE:  A general rule is that the nurses are not allowed to touch the baby
> without gloves until the baby is bathed because of the potential transfer
> of
> HIV from the bit of blood the baby might have on it.  So no, not an
> infection risk to the baby, but to the staff.  Theoretically.   At least
> that is what we are told.  Jan Barger, RN, MA, IBCLC, FILCA
>
>
>
> I'm enjoying this thread on bathing the neonate.  I have 3 thoughts.  Why
> does God put vernix on the baby?  I have learned in the past that an early
> first bath is not a good idea; the vernix caseosa is there to protect the
> baby's skin/pores from pathogens.  If that is correct, then it is important
> to wait until the vernix is no longer needed and is absorbed by the body.
> The second thought:  As for the (theoretical?) infection risk to the staff,
> one husband put it perfectly, "So wear gloves!"  The third thought:  Is the
> risk of HIV gone when the blood is exposed to the air and dries?  Some
> medical staff members have claimed that.  Does anyone know if that is true?
>
> When my daughter gave birth to her first child, she insisted on waiting to
> give the first bath until after she left the hospital.  I don't even know
> how many days later.  My son-in-law was astonished that she did not "clean"
> the baby sooner.  That made me smile.  Later, he put a picture of my
> granddaughter, with all her vernix, on the opening screen on my computer.
> He's a gem.
>
> Warm regards,
>
> Lee Galasso, MS, LLLL, IBCLC, RLC
>
> Westchester County in NYS, USA
>
> "Children Are Born with the Need to Breastfeed"
>
>
>             ***********************************************
>
> Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
> To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
> Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
> COMMANDS:
> 1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set
> lactnet nomail
> 2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
> 3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
> 4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome
>

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome