I've been unable to locate any evidence that the timing of a baby's first
bath has any effect on anything other than the "cleanliness" of the baby.
Over the decades recommendations veer wildly from immediate to delayed
bathing. At one period women were advised to postpone baths until the cord
fell off, even though the cord-care sterilization of that time period meant
this could be as long as three weeks!
I give my clients the following advice: bathe the baby whenever they wish.
There is no need to hurry and no need to delay. Bathing before the cord
detaches does no harm and does not increase the incidence of infection.
-Gail Hart
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Regarding the story about jaundice and baby's first bath: this is not a
serious way to bring genuine knowledge to people; it's non significant
anecdote. The reasons for jaundice are many and varied and have little if
anything to do with timing of the first bath.
-Phil Watters
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Reprinted from Midwifery Today E-News (Vol 2 Issue 11 March 17, 2000)
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