Baby's first bath: why waiting is now recommended
Delaying that first bath by several hours, or even a day or two, brings benefits we didn't fully appreciate a few years ago.
Vernix caseosa, the whitish, waxy coating on a newborn's skin at birth, has moisturizing, antibacterial, and protective properties. Current recommendations are to leave it in place and delay that first bath until the baby is at least 6 to 24 hours old, or even longer.
Delaying the bath also helps stabilize the newborn's body temperature, keeps blood sugar levels steadier, and avoids interrupting skin-to-skin contact or early breastfeeding attempts — both crucial moments for bonding and getting milk production started.
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When the bath is finally given, a warm sponge bath is preferred over full immersion until the umbilical cord stump falls off (usually within 1 to 3 weeks), to keep the cord area dry and reduce the risk of infection.
There's no need for scented soap or multiple products: plain warm water, or a mild, fragrance-free soap if needed, is more than enough for a newborn's delicate skin in the first weeks of life.
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This information is general and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional (doctor, midwife, nurse, pharmacist). Every situation is unique: always check with them before making a decision. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency services.
