Baby’s first bath and the impact on breastfeeding
Research has found that a baby’s first bath DOES have the potential to impact breastfeeding!
A study of 702 infants found:
• a delay in the newborn bath at the hospital from 2 hours to 12 hours in the mothers room rather than in the nursery (mom did skin to skin after bath) increased the odds of breastfeeding initiation by 166%
• a delay in the time of the first bath to after 24 hours increased the odds of exclusive breastfeeding at discharge by 33%
As a postpartum nurse I have seen firsthand how a baby’s first bath can make them sleepy and has the potential to affect their temperature and blood sugar regulation. These in turn can affect breastfeeding! (a sleepy baby is less likely and more difficult to breastfeed)
It is important to note that there are some instances in which a bath as soon as possible after delivery is BEST for the health of the baby!
These reasons can include an HIV positive mom, a diagnosis of chorioamnionitis, thick meconium staining at time of birth, and more. It is important to follow the guidance of the facility you give birth in if they suggest an early bath for the health of your baby!
There are also instances in which the facility you give birth in may suggest delaying the bath for 12-24 hours. For example baby is preterm, small for gestational age, large for gestational age, mother was diagnosed with GDM, etc.
I personally waited until we were home to give my son his first bath. Of course I am a postpartum nurse so I was very comfortable with bathing newborns and already knew how to do it myself! I can see why bathing at the hospital would be most people’s choice for their first baby: this way they can learn how to bathe their baby from the nursing staff!
As a lactation consultant I do suggest waiting at least 12 hours before a newborn’s first bath if possible! I also recommend doing skin to skin immediately after the bath.