Abstract
Objective: Identify the benefits of the practice of delaying bathing in newborns and its implications for nursing practice. Methods: This is an integrative literature review study, data collection took place in the databases of the Virtual Health Library (VHL) website - BIREME: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) and Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SCIELO) through the descriptors: newborn and bath, including only articles from the last five years. Results: In total, 783 articles were identified, 6 being listed as relevant to be analyzed in the present review. Only two studies evaluated the delayed bath considering at least 24 hours of life for the newborn and both obtained positive results related to thermoregulation. Delaying bathing is related to the prevention of neonatal hypothermia, delayed vernix removal, promotion of skin contact, maternal bonding and especially the insertion of parents in the care of the newborn. Final considerations: The delayed bath, preferably after 24 hours of life, is directly related to a better adaptation of the newborn to the extrauterine environment and maternal bond.