Is it true that a newborn
baby should not be
bathed until the cord
falls off?
Where There Is No Doctor 2011 7
True! The stump of the
cord should be kept
dry until it falls off. But
the baby can be gently
cleaned with a clean, soft,
damp cloth.
How many days after giving
birth should a mother wait
before she bathes?
A mother should wash with
warm water the day after
giving birth. The custom
of not bathing for weeks
following childbirth can lead
to infections.
Is it true that traditional
breastfeeding is better
than ‘modern’ bottle
feeding?
What foods should women
avoid in the first few weeks
after childbirth?
TRUE! Breast milk is
better food and also
helps protect the baby
against infection.
In the weeks following
childbirth, women should
not avoid any nutritious
foods. Instead, they
should eat plenty of fruit,
vegetables, meat, milk,
eggs, whole grains, and
beans (see p. 276).