No-Bathe Birthing Trend Sees Mothers Not Washing Their Newborns For Days | HuffPost Life

No-Bathe Birthing Trend Sees Parents Not Washing Newborns For Days

Ellen Wallwork— The Huffington Post UK

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Many new parents are choosing to delay their baby's first bath - sometimes waiting a few days after the birth before washing their baby.

The no-bathe birth trend has seen an increasing number of mothers and father leave the waxy coating on their newborn's skin for hours or even days after birth, according to Netmums.

Lots of parents choose to do so to prolong the intoxicating 'newborn smell', but it also has the benefit of allowing the newborn to remain in contact with the vernix - that white waxy coating covering their skin - for longer.

The waxy coating covering your newborn's skin is a natural moisturiser

The vernix is a protective substance that coats the baby's body while in the womb. The NHS advises it should always be left to absorb into the newborn's skin, as it is a natural moisturiser, which protects against infection.

However, if you've been looking forward to giving your baby their first bath, this doesn't mean you necessarily have to wait for days.

The World Health Organisation recommends babies are not bathed in the first six hours of their life, but after that time washing with water is not going to do your baby any harm.

Dr Webberley, GP for Oxford Online Pharmacy, told HuffPost UK Parents:

"The waxy vernix is marvellous at protecting the unborn baby as it grows, over a nine month period, in what is effectively a bath of water in the womb.

"Once the baby is born, it is natural instinct for mum to wash the baby and make him or her clean, warm, cosy and ready to face the world. This is an important element of bonding between mother and baby - and also between the baby and dad and other family members.

"Sweaty, blood-stained mum doesn't mind a waxy, blood-stained baby - but dad and big sister might.

"There is no medical reason not to bath the baby. As long as the bath is nice and warm and the baby doesn't cool down when being dried and dressed, then there is no harm done."

"Equally, there doesn't have to be a mad rush to clean the baby and bonding and breast-feeding are more important."

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The NHS advises only using water to bathe your baby for at least the first month. Do not use skin lotions, wipes or add cleansers to your baby's bath water.

If your baby was born prematurely, his skin may be even more delicate, so speak to staff in the neonatal unit for advise on how best to care for his skin.

Babies born after their due date may have dry and cracked skin at first, because the protective vernix was absorbed in the womb, rather than after birth. However, it's important you resist the urge to use any creams or lotions on your baby's skin, as this may do more harm than good. Rest assured, the top layer of your baby's skin will peel off to reveal smooth skin over the next few days.

Your newborn worries

Shedding their skin(01 of10)

Why is my baby's skin falling off??!! It's okay, it's standard procedure. Within a few days of being born, many babies – particularly those who were overdue – start to flake and peel a little bit. You may find it most noticeable on their hands and feet, but it can be all over. You don't have to do anything, just let nature take its course – there's a whole gorgeous new layer underneath. If you want to, you could rub your baby's skin with a little olive oil, which will soften the dry patches and improve their appearance.

Crying (all the time)(02 of10)

The volume level in your household is not going to return to normal for a very, very long time. Babies cry – a lot. While crying is designed to flood your body with adrenaline, and prompt you to address your baby's every need, remember that your little one is not always particularly upset when they cry, it's just their way of communicating what they require. If your baby cries persistently, especially in the early evening, they might have colic. As hellish as it will feel for a while, even with colic, your baby isn't going to suffer any long term harm, and this too shall pass. (credit:Getty Images)

Making odd noises while sleeping (03 of10)

Gosh, how best to describe those moans, groans and grunts? For some reason, newborns can make exceedingly strange noises while they sleep – noises which might have you thinking your baby has been swapped for a woodland creature. I can't tell you why they do it (perhaps they're just dreaming of finding their voice!), but I can tell you many, many babies do. (credit:Getty Images )

Having blue hands and feet(04 of10)

In newborns, having blue-ish hands and feet is quite common. It's called acrocyanosis and it's down to your baby's immature circulatory system. In some infants, the blueness will go after a day or two, in others it can last a bit longer, and might be prominent when it's chilly. They'll be pink all over soon enough – but if you ever notice blue hues on the face or around the lips, that's when to seek help. (credit:Getty Images)

Doing a huge black poo(05 of10)

If no-one warned you about your baby's first few poos, they might come as a bit of a shock. Very dark green/almost black, enormous and sticky – it might take several goes with a wet cotton wool ball to remove that gunk from their bottom! What your baby is actually passing is meconium – it's a mixture of mucus and amniotic fluid which they swallowed whilst in your womb. Don't be alarmed, it's a sign that your baby's bowels are working properly – and pretty soon all will settle down. (credit:Getty Images)

Pooing all the time, or hardly ever(06 of10)

Some babies poo every time they feed, while others go for days without so much as a windypop. And it can change week by week. However often they're going though, almost every scenario is 'normal'. The contents of your baby's nappy will vary wildly, too, from grainy to mucus-y, from green to yellow. But as long as they're passing their poo with ease, they're fine. (credit:Getty Images)

Having a soft, pulsating spot on top of their head(07 of10)

Yes, you probably already knew about the fontanelle before you had a baby, but now there it is, and isn't it odd? Can you touch it? Should you worry if someone else touches it? Won't they be poking your baby's brain?! Don't fret. Yes there is a gap in your baby's skull, which is a bit more fragile than the bony bits. But actually, your baby's brain is very well protected, by several layers of tough tissue and membranes. It'll close up between seven and 12 months.

Puking (all the time)(08 of10)

If your baby seems to be sick literally every time they have a feed, it's natural you should worry whether they're being nourished at all. But many newborns do this – the valve which keeps the milk in their tummy takes a while to get really strong, and so they're prone to regurgitating milk, especially when they're nice and full. Take heart, if they're gaining weight, all is good. (credit:Getty Images)

Irregular breathing(09 of10)

Have you spent a couple of hours watching them sleep yet? Most parents do, and it can make them worry even more! Tiny babies seemingly have pretty irregular breathing patterns, especially when they sleep. Actually, they're varying between quick, deep breaths, and short, shallow ones. And sometimes (CRIPES!) your baby might not actually take a breath for up to 10 seconds. It can scare the hell out of you, but it's what babies do. (credit:Getty Images)

Getting...what is that...acne?!(10 of10)

In the first few weeks, lots of babies have a break out. It might be down to Mum's hormones still circulating around their little body, or could just be down to the sebaceous glands in their skin settling down. Little white spots, called milia, can appear on the cheeks, forehead and chin, and this might develop into baby acne, where the spots turn red and look somewhat angrier. You don't need to do anything at all. Cleanse with water (definitely not with Clearasil!) and it'll usually have gone by the time your baby is six weeks old. (credit:Getty Images)

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