Delaying the first bath

After the birth, usually the baby is kind of messy. While bringing baby into the world is neither easy or clean work, a lot of the 'messy' stuff remaining on the baby is quite useful for the early moments in life and bonding. Typically once baby is delivered, and placed on mama's chest, a gentle wipe down or towel off is sufficient for a while.

Delaying the bath can increase the start of breastfeeding. The vernix and amniotic fluid left on baby provides cues to the mother's brain to begin producing milk/colostrum. Additionally the immediate placement of baby onto moms chest can promote early breast feeding cues, again due to the powerful scents of birth and our olfactory recognition. 

Aside from a beautiful beginning to breast feeding, bathing too soon may lower the infants temperature. Even when warm water is used, studies have show. The temperature can decrease up to 3 degrees. Infants are not fully able to regulate their own temperature until about 72 hours of life. 

Delaying or refusing a bath in hospital also requires all people who come into contact with the infant to wear gloves. This not only protects the nursing staff, but also your little one. Using gloves means you don't have to worry about hand washing between visits with other infants. It's a great way to keep germs to a minimum. 

So, whether you delay that first bath for a few hours, or even days, there are certainly benefits to be had.