Ann Perry writes:
"I really don't care if a provider has to wear gloves for a few more 
hours
but really would like to see data on this.
The other mind set that really needs to be changed is parents.  They  
think
the bath is so important and don't want their baby to be "dirty."  We  
really
have a long way in educating the public on this one but I am  trying.
If folks want to respond to me privately, that would be fine.
Thanks for any and all responses."

I think it is interesting that it is assumed parents "want" the baby 
bathed. I really question whether this has more to do with what they 
are told in hospital tours, childbirth classes, etc than with an innate 
expectation. When I do prenatal education, I explain to parents the 
interference with attachment and breastfeeding caused by such 
interventions and the trauma experienced by the baby. That is really 
all I have found it takes for most parents to "get it". I have had dads 
tell me afterwards that they were badgered to allow the nurses to bathe 
the baby when they refused. I would guess that if parents were told in 
childbirth classes about theses concerns, at least a percentage would 
refuse the early bath and when it was done, do it themselves. The other 
issue, of course, is that babies aren't so bloody when moms are not cut 
or torn open from being forced to birth on their backs. At a homebirth, 
it would never occur to anyone to dry a baby off before mom nurses, nor 
is there ever any rush to bathe a baby. My babies weren't bathed for a 
couple of days (I had no desire to wash away that lovely newborn 
scent!!).
Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA
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