After birth, do you plan to bate your baby right away or let the vernix soak in?

Question

Many things I read say not to bathe your baby for the first few days. This allows vernix to soak in and protect the baby. Some hospitals will not allow this unless you sign something saying no one will touch the baby- except you- unless they're wearing rubber gloves.

Answer

I am having a home birth and we will probably bathe the baby a few hours after birth. I want to give whatever vernix he is born with a chance to soak in but not to the point where he won't get bathed for days. I'll probably rub the vernix in gently like lotion after he's born and then bathe him later on that day or night depending on what time of day he comes.

Answer

We will be refusing the bath at the hospital and won't bathe her until she is home and acclimated to the environment in which she will live. We are lucky to have such a laid back and nature-friendly hospital. :)

Answer

Our hospital now has a policy to NOT do baths. We will be waiting until we get home:)

Answer

Can some explain to me the benefits of letting the vernix be for awhile? I've never heard of this but am now extremely interested!!

Answer

Wait a couple of days! If it's your first bubba you will want them to show you how to bathe bubba before you leave!

We use coconut oil in bubbas bath, don't use soap or johnsons stuff! It's not good for their skin!

Xx

Answer

Mine had a bath after two days, but we don't use soap.. still, unless he is exposed to a sick child, or some kind of grime warm bath water and baking soda won't clean.

Answer

With my first there was meconium so we had to bathe right away. They allowed me to wait a few hours but then we had to. With my son we waited about 2 weeks, right around the time his stump fell off then we gave him a nice bath with an herbal satchel soak.

Answer

Our hospital did a rinse, no soap on the second day. But our midwife team encouraged us to massage the vernix into his skin. It worked out great for us.

Answer

I had a birth center birth last time (planning to this time as well), my midwife put me in a big tub and washed my hair after the birth. She put the baby in too, but baby didn't get any soap, just water. The first week I bathed her with me in an herbal bath, no soap until week 2.

Answer

The hospital I'm delivering at prefers you wait at least 8 hours, up to 24 to give the baby a bath. They will do it sooner if you request, but I plan on waiting the 24 and my husband will give her the bath.

After birth, do you plan to bate your baby right away or let the vernix soak in?

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