Newborn's first bath: any preferred timing? A pilot study from Lebanon

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Care
• Pediatrics
• Maternal-Child Health

Background:

• The timing of a newborn's first bath is a common practice with potential impacts on infant well-being.
• Optimal timing aims to balance hygiene with physiological stability and bonding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the most appropriate time for a newborn's initial bath.
• To evaluate the effects of bath timing on infant thermoregulation, maternal bonding, and infant behavior.

Main Methods:

• A prospective randomized study was conducted in a single hospital setting.
• Newborns were assigned to receive their first bath at 2, 6, or 24 hours after birth.

Main Results:

• Newborns bathed at 24 hours showed increased skin-to-skin contact with mothers and higher maternal participation.
• Delayed bathing (24 hours) was associated with better thermoregulation and less vigorous crying compared to earlier baths.
• Benefits included reduced hypothermia, less crying, and enhanced vernix caseosa benefits.

Conclusions:

• Bathing newborns 24 hours after birth is associated with significant benefits for both infant and mother.
• Delayed bathing supports thermoregulation, promotes bonding, and reduces infant distress.
• This timing facilitates skin-to-skin contact and maternal involvement in infant care.