Apart from that, frequently bathing a baby can also worsen eczema and cause other infections. "This is a complex balance but bathing itself may not be the main cause of the problem. The use of bathing products, including lotions that contain dyes or fragrances, can react with the baby's skin, exacerbating eczema even when not bathing," said Scott Grant, M.D., MPH, FAAP, from the Detroit Medical Center Children's Hospital in Michigan.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), newborn babies should not be bathed for the first time until 24 hours after birth. If a full day is not possible, they suggest waiting at least 6 hours after the baby is born.

Delaying bathing the baby can provide the following benefits: - Helping your baby maintain a stable body temperature and prevent hypothermia - Helping stabilize the baby's blood sugar - Increasing breastfeeding success - Encouraging bonding with parents - Helping moisturize the baby's skin - Maintaining beneficial bacteria levels on the baby's skin.

"Clearly there are changes that babies experience as they grow older and become more active, which may require extra bathing from time to time. This rule is sufficient as long as the diaper area is properly cleaned every time you change the diaper," said Dr. Grant. Source: Parents