Why don't we salt newborns, per Ezekiel?

Question

If* salting newborns is a good thing, why don't we do it anymore?

This is not a "Why don't we follow the Sages' medical advice?" question. If, in fact, Ezekiel 16:4 is emphasizing how neglected we were when G-d took care of us, it would seem, at the very least, that a prophet of G-d deems it an important practice and a basic part of post-childbirth care, like cutting the umbilical cord and cleansing and swaddling the newborn.

Is there any Halachic literature encouraging (or mandating) the practice? Incidentally, is there any Halachic literature at all about what to do immediately postpartum?

_{*Big "IF". The thought there, though it resonates with me on an interpretive level, might be way off.}

Answer 1

Is this a scientific question or a halachik one?

Just because salting a newborn was a good way to treat them, doesn't mean it's the only good way. If we have better ways of treating their skin we use them. To say that the prophet deems that this is the only acceptable way to treat them requires more than just a description of good care.

Today we have much better (less harsh) soaps. Older soaps had leftover lye in them which would harm the skin. If you don't wash a babies skin well, then bacteria would start to eat the leftover vernix etc. Aside from smelling really bad this could lead to an infection, and infant mortality was already bad enough.

Salt is a preservative and would stop the bacteria, at least long enough for the skin to dry and harder.

PS. Today we use baby powder, which is not so different in theory.

PPS. I too am curious about your last question, I hope you get some answers.