When Did Your Baby Receive Their First Bath?
Post shared directly from IG @mombae.blogger and imperfectmomwhotravels
Was your baby whisked away immediately after birth- and given back to you cleaned and presentable? Well, we didn’t allow both Aarna and Saanvi to be bathed for one whole day (24 hours) after birth.
Why? Because WHO recommends NOT cleaning babies immediately after birth but leaving the vernix on and delaying the first bath for at least a day.
But what is Vernix?
Vernix is a white, waxy substance that covers a newborn’s skin. It is primarily composed of sebum and dead skin cells. Vernix has its own important role in the uterus, but even after birth, vernix has long term benefits like keeping the skin hydrated, reducing the PH and preventing pathogenic infections:
Vernix acts as a natural moisturizer for the baby’s skin. It contains high amount of vitamin E and helps prevent dryness and cracking, which is common in the first few days of birth. Thus, don’t wash it off but rub it in.
Vernix has antibacterials properties, which prevents infections in newborns.
It helps in regulating a baby’s body temperature by providing a layer of insulation. This is especially important for premature infants.
Vernix helps in promoting early skin colonisation, which is essential in producing a healthy skin acid mantle and protecting the developing immune system.
So, vernix not only serves as important role in protecting and nourishing a newborn’s skin, but may have additional benefits for their health and development. Thus, this fat-protein-antimicrobial layer should be allowed to remain on baby except at skin folds.
Delaying the bath also helps in establishing breastfeeding and allows more time for bonding between baby and parents as it allows the baby to be more alert and responsive during the first breastfeeding in the golden hour.
So when is a good time to bathe a baby?
After one day at least as most of the vernix will be absorbed into the baby’s skin within the first 24 hours. Make sure you ask the nurse not to wash it off. If they just want to wash a bit of blood off, they can use a warm wet cloth (and not soap and water)
When was your baby’s first bath? Post your comments below, I cannot wait to join the conversation!
Moms, Moms 2 Be and Moms In Waiting share this tip with expectant Mamas! *
*MomE 2 MomE LLC provides this post with purposes of informational usage only and recommends consulting a licensed professional or physician for the tailored experiences that meet you and your babies health and overall well-being
