Hey Momma,
You know what’s amazing about our bodies? How perfectly designed they are to nurture and protect our babies – right from the very start! Let’s talk about something that might seem a little strange at first: delaying your newborn’s first bath.
Honestly, when my babies were born I didn’t put much thought into this. Now, learning more, I wish I had waited. How marvelously we were made by our creator!
First thing to appreciate…that white, waxy coating on your newborn? It’s called vernix, and it’s not something we want to wash away quickly. Think of it as nature’s perfect protective lotion! It’s packed with oils, proteins, and natural antimicrobial properties that help shield your baby from infections. Pretty cool, right?
Here’s what really got my attention: that immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth isn’t just about bonding – it’s actually helping your baby regulate their temperature and blood sugar levels. And this isn’t just mama intuition talking (although you know how much I love that too) – science backs this up! A 2020 study in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing showed that waiting 24 hours for baby’s first bath not only increased exclusive breastfeeding rates but also decreased cases of low temperature and blood sugar in healthy newborns.
But wait, it gets even better!
During a vaginal birth, your baby gets coated with beneficial bacteria from the birth canal. I know, it sounds kind of gross, but stay with me here! This bacteria is like a starter kit for your baby’s gut health and immune system. Early bathing washes away this natural gift before it can do its job.
And let’s talk about breastfeeding success – because this research is just as exciting! A Cleveland Clinic study found that simply delaying that first bath by 12 hours or more significantly increased exclusive breastfeeding rates during hospital stays. An early bath can disrupt this crucial bonding and feeding time that was designed for mom and baby.
Now, I know what you might be thinking – “But what if my baby is messy after birth?” Here’s the thing: if there’s blood or meconium present, a gentle wipe-down works just fine. You don’t need a full bath to clean those areas.
So what’s the bottom line here, Mommas?
These studies are showing us something pretty amazing about delaying that first bath:
- It helps get breastfeeding off to a stronger start (more mamas leaving the hospital successfully breastfeeding!)
- Keeps baby’s temperature right where it needs to be
- Helps maintain stable blood sugar levels
But here’s the thing – and this is important – most hospitals will still automatically bathe your baby unless you speak up! This is where your mama bear voice comes in.
What You Can Do:
- Add it to your birth preferences and discuss it with your care team ahead of time
- Request that immediate skin-to-skin time that’s so precious for you and baby (I am happy to hear more and more hospitals are encouraging this)
- If there’s a need to clean certain areas, ask for a gentle wipe-down instead of a full bath
Remember: You’re not being difficult – you’re being an informed, proactive mama making evidence-based choices for your little one! And keeping that God-given moisturizer intact so it can provide all the benefits to your baby.
Trust in the natural process. Your baby arrives with everything they need for a healthy transition to life outside the womb. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is step back and let nature work its beautiful magic.
~Chat soon Momma Bears!