Do they have to take the baby after it is born to another room to be washed?

Leonie - posted on 05/24/2012

Hi, the hospital where I had both my sons here in Australia did not bath the boys. With my first son, it was about 2 days after his birth that a midwife bathed him and is was part of the routine to show us as first time parents how to bath a newborn. My second son didn't get a bath until I went home. I don't know about other hospitals but this one really promoted skin to skin contact with mother and child, so the baby is not taken away for bathing, just placed of the mothers tummy then encouraged to breastfeed after. Also they try to keep baby as warm as possible and as such don't bath them. Find out what your hospital's procedures are.

Shannon - posted on 05/24/2012

If meconium is present they will bathe the baby the same or next day, but usually a simple wipe-down in your room is all that's necessary during the first few hours in the outside world. :}

Sherri - posted on 05/24/2012

Trust me 5mins away from mom to bath them is in no way going to affect bonding with mom. That statement makes me laugh.



In the hospital they simply wash them down with warm water and a cloth. Although as soon as I got home at just under 48hrs I washed them down with Johnson's baby wash, it is perfectly safe for them.



Not sure why Laura is saying it is horrid and atrocious? How do you actually bath your babies and children? Do you not use soap or body wash?

Laura Zoey - posted on 05/24/2012

They're not dirty at birth. They're naturally perfect.
No chemicals needed.
That Johnson's baby soap is atrocious and horrid. Id never allow that to be used on my precious baby's skin.

Maureen - posted on 05/24/2012

No way! My bub got just a bit of a wipe down, in the room with me, and then I gave him his first bath in the hospital the next day. They DO NOT need to take baby away at all, and that is your right

Donna - posted on 05/24/2012

I had C-sections with both kids so they were taken away to be bathed. It never affected our bonding. If they can't wash the baby in the room with you I am sure they will let you have the bath with you for a while after birth. The time you are away from them is worth having a nice clean baby JMO

Laura Zoey - posted on 05/24/2012

Better yet, tell them to not wash your baby at all. It's YOUR baby and it doesn't need to be washed unless YOU want it to be.
Also, babies should lay skin to skin on moms chest as long as possible after birth!
Put on a diaper if you want but then baby should not be dressed until you have to put him or her down.

Washing and dressing is, IMO, really too much for a poor newborn. They don't need all that crap and it's not a very gentle welcome

Katie - posted on 05/24/2012

No! I held my daughter for hours afterwards. They weighed and measured here right next to me and she didn't have a bath for 2 days! They need their Mums not a bath!

Samantha - posted on 05/24/2012

There's no medical reason to wash a baby right after it is born, the vernix protects the skin and the smell of the amniotic fluid helps the baby find the breast. Doctors try to do everything to their convenience and to avoid a lawsuit. Which is why I'm having a homebirth.

Stephanie - posted on 05/24/2012

You should be able to request that they do it in the room with you, as long as there are no complications. My daughter was taken to another room to be bathed, but my husband, mother and stepfather went with her for her first bath. I could have gone, but opted to rest in my room, since I had been in labor and not slept for over a day.

Grace - posted on 05/24/2012

They shouldnt wash the baby at all for a couple days after birth. Your the mom demand that they not remove the baby from your side that's not right how are going to bond with your baby if they take them from you even to wash them. Tell them no they can't take the baby ask if there is a medical reson why they have to wash the baby now (there is not) say u will ash the baby later.

Karen - posted on 05/24/2012

They did everything right in our room. The only time my son left our room was for his circumcision, and we were allowed to go with him if we wanted to (we did not). I don't know if that's just how our hospital does things, but I do know You are the parent. If you do not want your baby to leave the room, then Say so! They have to respect your request unless there is a medical necessity, meaning the baby requires an incubator or something.

Skye - posted on 05/24/2012

You can request they do it in your room or even while the baby is laying on your chest. I wouldn't let them take my daughter away from my chest since skin to skin contact is so important for bonding. Remember that you are always in charge. The hospital may have their policies but this is your birth experience and your child so you have the final say. We hired a doula to help have our wishes enforced. It was one of the best investments I have ever made.

Denise - posted on 05/24/2012

my second and third were bathed in the room with me. My third had to go to the nursery while I had my tubes tied because his father wasn't at the hospital.

Kelly - posted on 05/24/2012

I'm a labor & delivery nurse. We never remove the baby from your sight unless the baby has to go to the NICU. We no longer even staff a nursery. We do family centered care. All care is done in your room. Just request it. If they are a good hospital & want to keep their patients happy they will honor your request.

Melissa - posted on 05/24/2012

Becasue I had a c section we were in a surgical room. When my daughter was born they took her to another room to clean her but they made my husband go with them. Before she left the delivery room all 3 of us had barcode tags. She was never without one of her parents. Well she wasnt without us untill she went into the NICU, but thats another story.

Lesley - posted on 05/24/2012

When my daughter was born they washed her in the room so my husband and I would know how to do it once we got home.
@

Casey - posted on 05/24/2012

When my daughter was born, they washed her in the room with me, but they kept her on the warming table for about a half hour to make sure she could maintain her body temp after her bath but they had the table right next to me so I could see her. They also put her ID bracelet on her, me and my husband right after she was born plus the bracelet to make sure she couldn't leave the floor. The only time they took her outta the room was to give her her shots and to measure and weight and all that stuff. But if you do not want her to be taken outta the room except when they do all the shots and stuff, I would tell them right when you get to the hospital and if there is a nurse change while you are in labor. It's your baby and you tell them what you want done with your child. Good luck.

Casey - posted on 05/24/2012

When my daughter was born, they washed her in the room with me, but they kept her on the warming table for about a half hour to make sure she could maintain her body temp after her bath but they had the table right next to me so I could see her. They also put her ID bracelet on her, me and my husband right after she was born plus the bracelet to make sure she couldn't leave the floor. The only time they took her outta the room was to give her her shots and to measure and weight and all that stuff. But if you do not want her to be taken outta the room except when they do all the shots and stuff, I would tell them right when you get to the hospital and if there is a nurse change while you are in labor. It's your baby and you tell them what you want done with your child. Good luck.

Chris - posted on 05/24/2012

Unless baby and/or mom have a problem, most hospitals keep the baby with mom routinely. Some hospitals no longer have a traditional nursery, just a small area adjoining the nurses station where they will take infants if mom needs a break to get some rest and baby is not settling. One thing, if the baby is c-section, they will frequently need to take them to the nursery/NICU to put them under warming lights for about 4 hrs until their body temps regulate. A natural delivery "jump starts" the baby's regulating their own temp but c-sections prevent that from happening. They had to do that with my youngest. After that he was with me the entire time except during his circumcision (which his dad was able to observe). The night before we went home, baby was extremely fussy and kept me up walking floors with him until about 3 am. Nurses did repeatedly ask if I wanted them to take him so I could get some rest as I would need all the rest I could get as I would need it when I got home.

Gayle - posted on 05/24/2012

When you're shopping for your OB, find out which hospitals they deliver babies at because your options may be limited. There are a few rare hospitals which have "LDRP" rooms ( L for labor, D for delivery, R for recovery & P for postpartum). In those hospitals they have what is known as "mother-baby nurses" who care for dyads of mothers and babies. If you have that option available, that is where you want to go in order to keep the baby in the room with you at all times (except for certain procedures such as circumcision and cases where the baby needs to be under closer observation due to infections, birth injury, heart murmur, etc.)

Andrea - posted on 05/24/2012

It depends on how the hospital is set up.
The hospital I delivered my son in took him to small room attached to the room I was in to wash him. My husband was able to follow them and there was no door between the rooms.
The hospital I delivered my Daughter in had it set up in the same room.
The delivery rooms in the hospital my sister delivered in were so small there was hardly room for delivery and the baby was taken out to wash but they did an initial wipe down and wrapping in a blanket for her to hold her before she was taken out.

I recommend you take a tour of the facility (most hospitals will do this) and ask lots of questions to put your mind at ease or to decide if you want tot choose another place to deliver.

Kate - posted on 05/24/2012

How about NO, certainly not, it's not at all necessary for a baby to be washed straight away - you should be able to have skin to skin contact for as long as you can, at least an hour so your baby can start breastfeeding and suckling on it's own - guaranteed to help with breastfeeding over all. We didn't bathe our children until they were a few days old. Bit of a wipe with the towel was it.... I'd be stating that as an essential and under no circumstances do you want your baby removed from you or your sight unless they're in a life threatening situation!

Shelly - posted on 05/23/2012

When my kids were born, they didn't wash them at all till the next day. Once they weighed them they'd swaddle them and hand them to me. I thought that this was becoming the common thing to do, as the coating on the skin is supposed to be quite good for newborns.

Jane - posted on 05/23/2012

it is reading like in most places now you can keep baby with you, and you can bath (or not) in your room, but have someone on hand if you have never bathed a very new baby - they can be slippery little thing lol :)

Vanessa - posted on 05/23/2012

You can request to not have the baby washed in the first few days. The vernix that covers them has their smell and would be comforting, given that life has just changed for them in such a massive way.
In Australia, they bring it all to you, bath etc... anything you need.
My first was taken to the nurses station one night when she was particularly unsettled, so I could get some rest, my second was only taken up to special care due to erratic breathing, but was back with me after a couple of hours.

Sherri - posted on 05/23/2012

Just remember don't hesitate if you need a break to let the nurses help you. Trust me you will get no rest once you get home so enjoy the extra help while you can those first few days are crucial to recover because once you are at home there will be no rest for the wary.

Also I can't believe how many don't bathe their babies for days. Ewwww!! sorry mine were bathed within a few hours of being born, thank goodness and so was I. I can't imagine not showering right after birth, so I definitely wanted my babies bathed right after as well.

Anaquita - posted on 05/23/2012

At the hospital my son was born they washed him in the room with me. And while doing so gave me tips on how to wash him, especially as he was my first (and only) born. He was also never in the nursery, even though I had to stay there an extra day for my health. Really depends on where you are though, and their policies. I'm sure if you make your wishes known they will likely follow them. Just make them known early. Ask before going into labor if possible.

Stifler's - posted on 05/23/2012

I agree unless they're in NICU or having serious problems that might distress you they don't need to be away from you at all.

Hella - posted on 05/23/2012

No!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They should not take your baby from you, unless she is sick!!!!!! I requested with both my children to put my baby on my breast right away ( I had a c sec), and never leave my side in the hospital. I also didn't want my baby bathed there with a stranger. It is anyway better for them not to bath them for several days. The vernix what remains on their skin really protects them, just use some almond oil to wipe their delicate skin, and a little bit of water, they don't need to be scrubbed by a nurse. She is your child!!!! You decide what happen with her, stay with you, or take it anywhere!!!!

Joy - posted on 05/23/2012

Like people said, it depends on the hospital. For mine I had a 'birth suite' that I'd reserved ahead of time. The first thing that happened after my husband cut the cord was my daughter was put on my breast to nurse. After we were done nursing the nurses washed her in the sink next to the bed, a scale was wheeled into my room and all the asgar testing was done in my room. The only time she was removed without my knowledge was when her temperature dropped too low and she was taken to the NICU for an hour or so -and I'd gone to sleep partly because my temperature spiked with a fever.

GWEN - posted on 05/23/2012

there is no reason for a just birthed baby to be taken to any other room for cleaning. Demand for the baby to remain in the room with you.

Vicki - posted on 05/23/2012

Check with your own hospital, and remember you don't have to consent to anything. No matter what their normal practices are they have no right to take your baby away without your say so. Unless there's a medical complication there's no need for immediate washing. In fact there's no need for baby to be off Mum at all. Apgar checks etc can be done while bub is on Mum and weighing can wait awhile, it doesn't have to be in the first minute. No matter how intimidating some staff are you are ultimately in charge.

Sally - posted on 05/23/2012

No they don't have to, but a lot of hospitals will anyway. Get a hospital tour and ask about all their policies. There are many things hospital like to do that are not good for babies because routine makes their lives easier. Legally, they cannot do anything to your baby without your permission. Don't be afraid to tell them "NO" and don't be afraid to follow them if they take your baby anywhere.
Good luck

Donna - posted on 05/23/2012

both of my babies were bathed after they were born and both of them didn't leave ny sight either. we video taped the nurse giving them the first bath. neither baby left my room the whole time while we were at the birthing center.

Victoria - posted on 05/23/2012

Here in New Zealand they are not allowed to take your baby out of your room. They let you wash your baby when you want to, I washed my son on the day I left the hospital as I didn't know how to, so they showed me how to hold him in the bath. They shouldn't even take the baby out of your room for their first check up after the birth. If they say they can't bath your baby in your room and your not ready to get up and about then just wash your baby down with a warm flannel you don't need to use a baby soap, and make sure you keep your baby warm while wiping down.

Ree - posted on 05/23/2012

I am not sure where you are from but I live in Tasmania Australia and here they do not take the baby from the room. They also don't wash the baby for at least 24 hours. They just give them a rub down to get rid of most of the gunk. But they let you bath your baby for the first. Just check out your hospital and ask them to just do it there with you or if you can go with them to see what they do.

Hailey - posted on 05/23/2012

When babies are born they have a waxy substance on their skin called vernix to protect it from the amniotic fluid. It is very beneficial to leave this vernix on the baby, so when your baby is born tell them to not even rub this off. Research vernix to see all the benefits so you are not bullied into having "routine" things done to your baby that are not necessary.

Brittany - posted on 05/23/2012

You should be able to have them wash the baby in your room. If they don't have a sink for it, they can always bring in a tiny wash basin.

With my daughter I was extremely demanding and held my daughter back to the room, where she was washed and diapered. I had an emergency c-section with her. Even with her very low APGAR rating everything was done right there.

With my son, while I couldn't hold him on the way back to the room, my husband could. There he was bathed and diapered.

Neither one ever left my sight.

Ask the hospital where you plan on delivering. I know some still have nurseries, so at those ones they may be more likely to take the baby. Making a birth plan with a hospital nurse is really helpful for anything like this.

Melissa - posted on 05/23/2012

I am a doula, and in Orange County Ca, they are not separating babies any longer unless there is a problem. Find out what the policies are in your areas hospitals and then shop around. You are the consumer.

Katy - posted on 05/23/2012

I agree it depends on the hospital. With both our girls, my husband followed the baby to the nursery to watch them after they were born. Which I was fine with because I needed more care from the doctors while the nurses were tending to baby.

Beth - posted on 05/23/2012

It would depend on where you're having the baby. And you might be able to make certain requests of them, if you prefer one thing over another. When my son was born, they cleaned him up and did the APGAR right in the delivery room with us, and then they just put a diaper on him and gave him to me.

Elfrieda - posted on 05/23/2012

You can insist that they don't take the baby out of your sight. It's not a medical issue, it's just habit if they do take the baby away. Like many of the others, my baby wasn't bathed until a day or two after he was born. You could ask your husband or mom or whoever is there with you to make sure the baby stays in the room just in case the nurses don't keep it in mind that you want something different than what they're used to doing.

Jennifer - posted on 05/23/2012

Don't go by what anyone here says as every place is different and their rules are different. Go to the hospital where you plan to birth and ask them that question. They will be best able to tell you what is doable in YOUR situation. If you don't like the answer the hospital gives, see if you can pick a different hospital for the birth.

September - posted on 05/23/2012

Our son was washed in the room with us a couple hours after I gave birth and had the chance to breastfeed. My husband helped wash and dress him. I think it just depends.

Lady Heather - posted on 05/23/2012

At my hospital they don't wash the baby until they've stayed at proper temperature for a few hours and when they do it's in your room with your participation. With our second they just left the baby with us and a tub and my husband did the bath. They are really big on baby being with mum at all times though.

Alexis - posted on 05/23/2012

No hey can do bedside care if you request it...

Amy - posted on 05/23/2012

most definitely not! Unless there is a health problem with the baby. This is your child's first few hours you have the right to say NO. and if it is hospital policy you may get push back, but continue to say thank you for your concern but I do not want my child taken away from me right now. Also, it is worth looking into the different hospitals in your area. Their policies may very greatly.

Timna - posted on 05/23/2012

It all depends on the hospital and the staff. Ask before your baby is born what the rules are. If they are not what you want then try to find a different hospital or birthing center that will let up hold your wishes. good luck.

Heather - posted on 05/23/2012

Most hospitals, yes, they do. But someone can follow the baby, your husband, mom, sister, whomever, and make sure they bring the baby back to you, and that it's Your baby.