Delayed Bathing

Re: Delayed Bathing

• SarahAnne1101 member

  September 2015

  DD was bathed the day after she was born. DS was bathed same day, but he was NICU. DD didn't get bathed again until she was a week old. No need really unless they have some crazy poop explosion. This baby won't get one until he needs it either.

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• Chirorocks15 member

  September 2015

  Vernix has a purpose! And I love the other reasons in that post for delaying the first bath. We will definitely be delaying the first bath; there just isn't any good reason not to delay it (unless there is a major poop explosion as the person above mentioned). ☺️

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• floyd1rl member

  September 2015

  I called my sister after my appointment and brought it up to her. She found it disgusting, but she also doesn't get why I want to do all of this "hippie shit"... aka an unmedicated birth.

  
  

  Can I UN-invite her from the delivery room? Luckily my wife is very supportive, and will make my wishes known.

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• saintpaulJess member

  September 2015

  No bath is standard practice at the hospital I deliver at. Our little ones received their first bath at home.

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• amiejl member

  September 2015

  My third had a delayed first bath because he was having trouble regulating his temperature. It was definitely worth it for us.

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• margies2010 member

  September 2015

  We will be delaying bathing with this one. DS had temp drops after he was born, and I didn't get skin to skin until almost three hours later! Not gonna go that way this time...

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• JennyBon member

  September 2015

  We too are delaying the bath. During the hospital tour and preregistration the head nurse thought she was statisfing my request by telling me "don't worry we wait until an hour after birth." & I informed them it would much greater than an hour. That I would let them know when I was ready. I also made sure they noted that no soap would be used. Let your sister come...maybe she'll learn a few new things. Midwives are usually pretty good a shutting people down when they need to.

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• VioletandRose member

  September 2015

  Your thread is the first I had heard about delayed bathing, but I went to the maternity ward tour tonight at the hospital and was surprised to discover that they do delayed bathing! They wait 24 hours. It is a large, urban medical center too, not a birthing center or small neighborhood hospital. It is part of being designated "Baby Friendly."

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• Kbhunter member

  September 2015

  I wanted to delay the first bath.
  But... She had a huge meconium explosion on me and her during or skin to skin. Also she had a ton of hair that was all matted and gross by the time first skin to skin was done. So she got one. I will delay this time if I can.

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• swelniak member

  September 2015

  I think our hospital just does this. DS was born at 5 pm and didn't get a bath for prob at least 20 hours. They wipe them off really well, so it's not like they're bloody or anything. His hair was greasy, but they have their little caps on anyway.

  
  

  

  

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• komorebi member

  September 2015

  We delay the first bath. I can see how it seems gross, but I don't care. I do a little hair bath if needed but nothing with soap.

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• mommy_wife_nurse member

  September 2015

  Wow, thanks for sharing!! I have in my birth plan to delay necessary tests until after or duting skin to skin. Didn't even think to delay bathing. Time to look into it!

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• megggles member

  September 2015

  JennyBon said:

  I informed them it would much greater than an hour. That I would let them know when I was ready. I also made sure they noted that no soap would used.

  Well aren't you a tough mama bear. I'm sure she wrote all that down and passed it on just for you.
  

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• dogsombrero member

  September 2015

  Our hospital wiped them but no bath was given until 24 or so hours later. I suppose it just depends on the hospital. Definitely find out what the policies are because there isn't a need to hear up for a fight if they do delayed bathing, clamping, skin to skin, whatever your wishes are as standard practice.

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• LaurenBee24 member

  September 2015

  To be considered a "baby friendly hospital" I believe the standard of are has to be to wait 24 hours. It is what the WHO recommends. I can't seem to attach the file here, but you can look at all of the WHO guidelines if you are looking for a good place to start researching neonatal care.

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• jefinley1 member

  September 2015

  megggles said:

  I informed them it would much greater than an hour. That I would let them know when I was ready. I also made sure they noted that no soap would used.

  Well aren't you a tough mama bear. I'm sure she wrote all that down and passed it on just for you.

  I certainly hope they did! It will save them a lot of confusion and frustration if they make note of it now than if they ignore it and she has to re-explain immediately after birth. Making your preferences or demands known before is a great way to be a proactive and respectful patient. The assumption that one hour is a delay is kind of ludicrous given the current understanding of the incredible importance of mother/ baby bonding especially within the first 24 hours. If one hour is considered generous, I would be pretty freaking clear in my differing expectation as well. 

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• MamaOwl15 member

  September 2015

  When you say delayed bathing, what exactly does that mean? I'm sorry if this sounds like dumb FTM question, but I don't really know what they did with my son when he was born.

  
  

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• AmyB421 member

  September 2015

  megggles said:

  JennyBon said:

  I informed them it would much greater than an hour. That I would let them know when I was ready. I also made sure they noted that no soap would used.

  Well aren't you a tough mama bear. I'm sure she wrote all that down and passed it on just for you.
  

  Well aren't you just so sweet nice and supportive.

  Report22 Reply
• Krysta6 member

  September 2015

  MamaOwl15 said:

  When you say delayed bathing, what exactly does that mean? I'm sorry if this sounds like dumb FTM question, but I don't really know what they did with my son when he was born.

  @MamaOwl15 There is all different types of delaying from what I have read. Most people believe the vernix (the white stuff) is actually good for the babies skin so they rub it in (instead of wiping off). Some people believe just waiting for a couple hours, one day or I've even read of people waiting a couple of days. I think too delaying the bath helps ensure that the babies body temperature remains stable.

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• jefinley1 member

  September 2015

  @MamaOwl15 Here is a decently sourced article I found that explains some of the benefits and reasoning behind them: https://www.todaysparent.com/baby/why-you-should-delay-babys-first-bath/

  
  

  
  

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• MamaOwl15 member

  September 2015

  Ok, so they're not talking about not CLEANING the baby, they're talking about not washing in a tub with soap and water? Again I'm sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'm thinking oh hell no you're not going to just take my baby out of my uterus and hand her to me . . . I mean, there's some stuff to clean off . . . But a full-on bath doesn't seem necessary and I do recall being advised to wait till DS's cord stump fell off to give him a full bath (I just wiped him clean with a cloth).
  
  PS, I'm not trying to judge anyone else's choices, just expressing my personal preferences . . .

  
  

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• floyd1rl member

  September 2015

  
  

  MamaOwl15 said:

  When you say delayed bathing, what exactly does that mean? I'm sorry if this sounds like dumb FTM question, but I don't really know what they did with my son when he was born.

  
  

  As a FTM, I don't know what the protocol is as far as how many hours they wait. I'm sure it varies by hospital. My midwife recommended waiting 12-24 hours.
  

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• amberrmariee20 member

  September 2015

  With my son, they bathed him right away because he was taking to the NICU. But usually they leave the baby unbathed for the first day.

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• megggles member

  September 2015 edited September 2015

  jefinley1 said:

  
  

  megggles said:

  
  

  JennyBon said:

  I informed them it would much greater than an hour. That I would let them know when I was ready. I also made sure they noted that no soap would used.

  Well aren't you a tough mama bear. I'm sure she wrote all that down and passed it on just for you.
  

  
  

  I certainly hope they did! It will save them a lot of confusion and frustration if they make note of it now than if they ignore it and she has to re-explain immediately after birth. Making your preferences or demands known before is a great way to be a proactive and respectful patient. The assumption that one hour is a delay is kind of ludicrous given the current understanding of the incredible importance of mother/ baby bonding especially within the first 24 hours. If one hour is considered generous, I would be pretty freaking clear in my differing expectation as well. 
  
  Hospital tour isn't the time or place to play the "my d*** is bigger than yours" game and tell them how you expect your birth to go. I'm sure the "head nurse" (that expression made me giggle) is there to give you the tour and answer questions. If you don't like the answer to those questions (and you certainly shouldn't have to like every answer), definitely bring it up with your OB and re-iterate during labor, if you feel the need. In an ideal world, sure it would be nice to tell anyone with a uniform on what you want and just have it happen... But unfortunately you're in for a rude awakening if you think we live in an ideal world. Not meant to be argumentative, just preparing you.

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• jenn2132 member

  September 2015 edited September 2015

  My sister is an L&D nurse so I definitely have been exposed to both perspectives of patient demands versus medical staff protocol but at the end of the day as long as you are not endangering your child your wants concerning your child definitely SHOULD be heard and respected. I agree the conversation with the medical staff needs to be in a respectful manner, no need to be rude of course, but it goes both ways. I mean we are talking about delaying a bath here for goodness sakes! If mom would rather her baby not be bathed for an extended period of time or at all that's her choice, I don't see what the big deal is.

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• Krysta6 member

  September 2015 edited September 2015

  megggles said:

  jefinley1 said:

  
  

  megggles said:

  
  

  JennyBon said:

  I informed them it would much greater than an hour. That I would let them know when I was ready. I also made sure they noted that no soap would used.

  Well aren't you a tough mama bear. I'm sure she wrote all that down and passed it on just for you.
  

  
  

  I certainly hope they did! It will save them a lot of confusion and frustration if they make note of it now than if they ignore it and she has to re-explain immediately after birth. Making your preferences or demands known before is a great way to be a proactive and respectful patient. The assumption that one hour is a delay is kind of ludicrous given the current understanding of the incredible importance of mother/ baby bonding especially within the first 24 hours. If one hour is considered generous, I would be pretty freaking clear in my differing expectation as well. 

  Hospital tour isn't the time or place to play the "my d*** is bigger than yours" game and tell them how you expect your birth to go. I'm sure the "head nurse" (that expression made me giggle) is there to give you the tour and answer questions. If you don't like the answer to those questions (and you certainly shouldn't have to like every answer), definitely bring it up with your OB and re-iterate during labor, if you feel the need. In an ideal world, sure it would be nice to tell anyone with a uniform on what you want and just have it happen... But unfortunately you're in for a rude awakening if you think we live in an ideal world. Not meant to be argumentative, just preparing you.
  
  --Quote Fail--
  
  Well thanks for bolding that I'm not sure your snarky attitude came through the first time.

  Report18 Reply
• komorebi member

  September 2015

  MamaOwl15 said:

  Ok, so they're not talking about not CLEANING the baby, they're talking about not washing in a tub with soap and water? Again I'm sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'm thinking oh hell no you're not going to just take my baby out of my uterus and hand her to me . . . I mean, there's some stuff to clean off . . . But a full-on bath doesn't seem necessary and I do recall being advised to wait till DS's cord stump fell off to give him a full bath (I just wiped him clean with a cloth).
  
  PS, I'm not trying to judge anyone else's choices, just expressing my personal preferences . . .

  I have the baby handed directly to me. Lol. They do the rub down thing and then that's it. I take a shower as soon as I'm ready though, which at home is usually within a couple hours, but it's more of a rinse off.

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• jefinley1 member

  September 2015

  megggles said:

  jefinley1 said:

  
  

  megggles said:

  
  

  JennyBon said:

  I informed them it would much greater than an hour. That I would let them know when I was ready. I also made sure they noted that no soap would used.

  Well aren't you a tough mama bear. I'm sure she wrote all that down and passed it on just for you.
  

  
  

  I certainly hope they did! It will save them a lot of confusion and frustration if they make note of it now than if they ignore it and she has to re-explain immediately after birth. Making your preferences or demands known before is a great way to be a proactive and respectful patient. The assumption that one hour is a delay is kind of ludicrous given the current understanding of the incredible importance of mother/ baby bonding especially within the first 24 hours. If one hour is considered generous, I would be pretty freaking clear in my differing expectation as well. 

  Hospital tour isn't the time or place to play the "my d*** is bigger than yours" game and tell them how you expect your birth to go. I'm sure the "head nurse" (that expression made me giggle) is there to give you the tour and answer questions. If you don't like the answer to those questions (and you certainly shouldn't have to like every answer), definitely bring it up with your OB and re-iterate during labor, if you feel the need. In an ideal world, sure it would be nice to tell anyone with a uniform on what you want and just have it happen... But unfortunately you're in for a rude awakening if you think we live in an ideal world. Not meant to be argumentative, just preparing you.
  
  See it's this type of arrogant response that makes women think they're going into hospitals looking for a fight with ego inflated jackasses. At the end of the day, while they may be medical professionals, and that's wonderful, In many ways they're just another service provider that I'm paying a shit ton of money. My plumber knows more about his job than I do too. It doesn't mean I'm not going to have him explain why he's doing what he's doing, or ask him to do it differently before I blindly fork over thousands of dollars.
  
  If she thought that the time after the tour and during pre-registration seemed like a good one to go over preferences or ask more questions, more power to her. I'm sure she's discussing it with her OB as well, but is just trying to cover her bases.
  
  I sometimes feel that the reason people in medical professions come shooting back with "I know more than you, and this is the real world you silly thing," is that the current real world is questioning the quality and value of their standard opperating procedure in this country, and some who are not enjoying the change are getting a little defensive about it. Trust me, I know it's not an ideal world every time I have to handle little rays of sunshine like you politely and calmly in everyday interactions! But recent developments in medical care would indicate that in general, I, the patient, am not the one due a rude awakening in healthcare expectations.
  

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• blsav23 member

  September 2015

  jefinley1 said:

  megggles said:

  jefinley1 said:

  
  

  megggles said:

  
  

  JennyBon said:

  I informed them it would much greater than an hour. That I would let them know when I was ready. I also made sure they noted that no soap would used.

  Well aren't you a tough mama bear. I'm sure she wrote all that down and passed it on just for you.
  

  
  

  I certainly hope they did! It will save them a lot of confusion and frustration if they make note of it now than if they ignore it and she has to re-explain immediately after birth. Making your preferences or demands known before is a great way to be a proactive and respectful patient. The assumption that one hour is a delay is kind of ludicrous given the current understanding of the incredible importance of mother/ baby bonding especially within the first 24 hours. If one hour is considered generous, I would be pretty freaking clear in my differing expectation as well. 

  Hospital tour isn't the time or place to play the "my d*** is bigger than yours" game and tell them how you expect your birth to go. I'm sure the "head nurse" (that expression made me giggle) is there to give you the tour and answer questions. If you don't like the answer to those questions (and you certainly shouldn't have to like every answer), definitely bring it up with your OB and re-iterate during labor, if you feel the need. In an ideal world, sure it would be nice to tell anyone with a uniform on what you want and just have it happen... But unfortunately you're in for a rude awakening if you think we live in an ideal world. Not meant to be argumentative, just preparing you.

  See it's this type of arrogant response that makes women think they're going into hospitals looking for a fight with ego inflated jackasses. At the end of the day, while they may be medical professionals, and that's wonderful, In many ways they're just another service provider that I'm paying a shit ton of money. My plumber knows more about his job than I do too. It doesn't mean I'm not going to have him explain why he's doing what he's doing, or ask him to do it differently before I blindly fork over thousands of dollars.
  
  If she thought that the time after the tour and during pre-registration seemed like a good one to go over preferences or ask more questions, more power to her. I'm sure she's discussing it with her OB as well, but is just trying to cover her bases.
  
  I sometimes feel that the reason people in medical professions come shooting back with "I know more than you, and this is the real world you silly thing," is that the current real world is questioning the quality and value of their standard opperating procedure in this country, and some who are not enjoying the change are getting a little defensive about it. Trust me, I know it's not an ideal world every time I have to handle little rays of sunshine like you politely and calmly in everyday interactions! But recent developments in medical care would indicate that in general, I, the patient, am not the one due a rude awakening in healthcare expectations.
  
  
  @jfinley27 didn't we just have this discussion on another post

  DH & I married 12/17/2012

  Me (31)-dx w/PCOS 2007, when married to ex-husband after MC

  DH (41)-no MFI

  07/2014-Femara 5mg + trigger + IUI= chem preg ;(

  08/2014-Femara 5mg + trigger + IUI + 2nd trigger= BFN

  09/2014-Clomid 100mg + trigger + IUI + 2nd trigger= BFN

  10/2014-benched due to RE out of town, tying naturally!

  11/2014-benched due to cyst

  12/2014-Femara 5mg + stair step with additional 5 days Femara 5mg + trigger + IUI=BFN

  01/2015-Femara 5mg + Gonal F 25 units + trigger (plus additional Gonal F 100 units on trigger night) + IUI= BFP!!! Twins due 10/2015
  09/28/2015- Surprise!  Conrad and Hudson born at 35w6d!  

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• blsav23 member

  September 2015

  I just think there is a way for patient and healthcare staff to collaborate. Let's all be respectful of one another--in the end, we all are striving for the same goal: a healthy and happy baby & mom. Once it turns into a pissing contest (pardon my tactful words), everyone loses sight of the end goal & mistakes can be made.

  DH & I married 12/17/2012

  Me (31)-dx w/PCOS 2007, when married to ex-husband after MC

  DH (41)-no MFI

  07/2014-Femara 5mg + trigger + IUI= chem preg ;(

  08/2014-Femara 5mg + trigger + IUI + 2nd trigger= BFN

  09/2014-Clomid 100mg + trigger + IUI + 2nd trigger= BFN

  10/2014-benched due to RE out of town, tying naturally!

  11/2014-benched due to cyst

  12/2014-Femara 5mg + stair step with additional 5 days Femara 5mg + trigger + IUI=BFN

  01/2015-Femara 5mg + Gonal F 25 units + trigger (plus additional Gonal F 100 units on trigger night) + IUI= BFP!!! Twins due 10/2015
  09/28/2015- Surprise!  Conrad and Hudson born at 35w6d!  

  Report7 Reply
• jefinley1 member

  September 2015

  @blsav23 Yes! And to clarify, I'm not advocating that people go in with a chip on their shoulder and demand things like assholes, but if they ask something nicely then get mocked, made to feel stupid, or are completely disregarded, what incentive do they have to continue being polite?

  Report7 Reply
• blsav23 member

  September 2015 edited September 2015

  @jfinley27 of course! And on the flipside, healthcare staff (myself included) also need to leave the chips off their shoulders. Patients requests need to be treated with respect & if they are completely unreasonable, education needs to be provided as to why. In the context of this discussion, no healthcare provider should bat an eye at a parent who requests delayed bathing & if they do, the "head nurse" should be contacted.
  **Edited for addition.

  DH & I married 12/17/2012

  Me (31)-dx w/PCOS 2007, when married to ex-husband after MC

  DH (41)-no MFI

  07/2014-Femara 5mg + trigger + IUI= chem preg ;(

  08/2014-Femara 5mg + trigger + IUI + 2nd trigger= BFN

  09/2014-Clomid 100mg + trigger + IUI + 2nd trigger= BFN

  10/2014-benched due to RE out of town, tying naturally!

  11/2014-benched due to cyst

  12/2014-Femara 5mg + stair step with additional 5 days Femara 5mg + trigger + IUI=BFN

  01/2015-Femara 5mg + Gonal F 25 units + trigger (plus additional Gonal F 100 units on trigger night) + IUI= BFP!!! Twins due 10/2015
  09/28/2015- Surprise!  Conrad and Hudson born at 35w6d!  

  Report6 Reply
• megggles member

  September 2015

  Putting my response in bold was because I was having quote issues. That's all. Don't make it out to be more than what it is.
  
  Neither one of us knows exactly when during this hospital tour and pre-registration the conversation about bathing took place, so it's kind of pointless to argue about whether or not she brought it up at an appropriate time. I regret even giving my two cents now, seeing as how people are going to do and believe whatever they want. I just know from experience that people like to bark orders at the most inconvenient times, and staff often pretend to "make note of it" just to shut them up, but not all staff have the power to make your preferences known, so just be aware.
  
  I just hate the whole "I told them 'no, that wouldn't be happening!'" and "silly them, they thought they could satisfy me with ____" attitude is all. As I mentioned in another post, there are ways of collaborating and getting your wishes across in a (usually) tactful and respectful manner.
  
  I'm done going around and around. I hope you are too.

  Report0 Reply
• leighann1 member

  September 2015

  megggles said:

  megggles said:

  I informed them it would much greater than an hour. That I would let them know when I was ready. I also made sure they noted that no soap would used.

  Well aren't you a tough mama bear. I'm sure she wrote all that down and passed it on just for you.

  I certainly hope they did! It will save them a lot of confusion and frustration if they make note of it now than if they ignore it and she has to re-explain immediately after birth. Making your preferences or demands known before is a great way to be a proactive and respectful patient. The assumption that one hour is a delay is kind of ludicrous given the current understanding of the incredible importance of mother/ baby bonding especially within the first 24 hours. If one hour is considered generous, I would be pretty freaking clear in my differing expectation as well. 

  Hospital tour isn't the time or place to play the "my d*** is bigger than yours" game and tell them how you expect your birth to go. I'm sure the "head nurse" (that expression made me giggle) is there to give you the tour and answer questions. If you don't like the answer to those questions (and you certainly shouldn't have to like every answer), definitely bring it up with your OB and re-iterate during labor, if you feel the need. In an ideal world, sure it would be nice to tell anyone with a uniform on what you want and just have it happen... But unfortunately you're in for a rude awakening if you think we live in an ideal world. Not meant to be argumentative, just preparing you.

  Um, I was actually told by my hospital that I'm supposed to bring my birth plan to them during pre-registration and tour to discuss my wishes and ask questions about procedures. They set up one-on-one appointments with mothers to do exactly what you are saying won't happen. 
  

  Report5 Reply
• VioletandRose member

  September 2015

  
  

  leighann1 said:

  
  

  Um, I was actually told by my hospital that I'm supposed to bring my birth plan to them during pre-registration and tour to discuss my wishes and ask questions about procedures. They set up one-on-one appointments with mothers to do exactly what you are saying won't happen. 
  

  It sounds like it could be different for everyone. I know if I made the nurse who was giving our tour "note" my bathing and soap preferences for my baby, she probably would have laughed at me. There were about 25-30 people on my tour. She was totally open to questions (i.e., Is it possible to wait longer to have our baby bathed?), but I can't imagine she would have had the time or ability to write down and actually save specific preferences for patients. That sounds like something I'd discuss with my doctor, and/or put in my birth plan and discuss with the nurses while in L&D. Like a PP said, it's only a bath...not a medical procedure that requires a lot of forethought, like whether or not you want an epidural.
  

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• leighann1 member

  September 2015

  @VioletandRose, exactly! That's why I don't really understand the combative tone regarding someone who would want to bring this up at a hospital tour. Because every hospital is different. Yes, some are big groups of 20+ people. Some are individualized, and they want you to bring up specifics to put in your file. 

  
  

  The tone of this was just uncalled for in my opinion, since I have been instructed that my tour time IS when I tell them how I expect/hope for things to go.
  

  
  

  "Hospital tour isn't the time or place to play the "my d*** is bigger than yours" game and tell them how you expect your birth to go.:
  

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• tate62610 member

  September 2015

  I don't even have a dick.....

  October Siggy Challenge

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Oct 15 Glitter Bunnies

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• adriennerose80 member

  September 2015

  tate62610 said:

  I don't even have a dick.....

  The kitty in your pic looks sad because she doesn't have a dick either. I was told during my tour that if we want to delay bathing we need to tell them when we check in. And the nurse that was giving the tour reminded us to do this THREE TIMES. So she was letting us know that we need to be vocal about our preferences, but to do so as soon as we are admitted.

  
  
  
  

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• baconlady member

  September 2015

  tate62610 said:

  I don't even have a dick.....

  lmao
  )

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