INFANT BATHING
Child bearing practices during the first year vary from country to country. The amount of bathing that is
done is also inconsistent across cultures. Unless contraindicated most infants and children can be
bathed in a basin at the bedside or on the bed, or in a standard bath tub located on the unit which is
often conveniently adapted for pediatric use.
Baby bath is defined as cleaning the skin of the baby for promoting hygiene and comfort in the home
setting
Purposes
To keep the baby’s skin clean
To refresh the baby
To stimulate the circulation
To prevent any skin infection
To closely observe the body for evidence of any abnormalities and to note infant growth and
development
To induce sleep
Assessment of the skin before bath
Color
Moisture
Temperature
Turgor
Vascularity
Edema
Pruritus
Rashes
Lesions
Erythema
Infection
Inflammation
Hirsutism
Types of bath
Lap bath
Bathing the baby keeping on the lap.
Here the mother sits on a stool and can sponge and change his dress on her lap itself so there is no need
of having additional stool.
Sponge bath
Bathing the child in bed.
Tub bath
The common method of giving bath to the baby.
General instructions for giving bath
Use warm room and warm water
Bath quickly and gently
Dry quickly and gently
Never leave the baby unattended in a bath tub or table
The infant is given bath after the cord falls and umbilicus is well-healed
The ideal time for bathing a baby is before the second feeding; taking care that the baby is not tired or
hungry.
Baby should not be bathed within an hour he is fed because moving may cause vomit.
There should be a fixed time for bath, which will help the baby to form a habit on an orderly schedule.
The newborn’s temperature regulating system is underdeveloped. Measure the temperature of water to
avoid overheating or chillness
98 to 100 F por 37 to 38 C
The clothing should be selected based on the environment and weather.
The soap used should be mild and without hexachlorophene base and avoid using talcum powders,
because it contains Zink stearate which irritates the respiratory tract.
Articles required
Hot water
Tepid water
Buckets (2)
Mug (1)
Mild soap
Hair oil
Swab sticks (4)
Cotton balls
K-basin
Thermometer
Clean clothes
Betadine
Normal saline
Low stool
Apron
Preliminary assessment of the child and situation
Identify the child and check doctor’s order for any specific instruction about bathing the baby.
Get further instructions from the ward sister.
Assess the general condition of the baby and need for bathing.
Find out from the mother whether the child had his feeding within the previous one hour.
Decide the type of bath to be given and find out the proper place for the same.
Check the articles in the unit.
Collect the individual soap and towel from the mother if possible.
Preparation of the environment and equipment
Close windows to keep off draught and to provide privacy.
Collect all the articles in readiness before beginning the procedure.
Keep the table against the wall, place the tub or basin on one end of the table and the tray with articles
on the other end conveniently so that the baby will be protected on 3 sides and there is less chance of
the baby’s rolling of the table.
Place makintosh and towel over the table, wash hands and wear apron.
See whether the b
Bring the baby wrapped in a towel to the bath table
Procedure
Nursing action Rationale
Explain the procedure to the mother and To reduce anxiety and to win cooperation.
encourage her participation.
Pour water into the tub and adjust temperature Prevents chances of hypothermia or scalding.
by checking with the elbow or dorsal side of the
palm.
Undress the baby. To made ready for bath.
Place the head of the baby on your non-dominant Safeguards the baby from slipping.
palm and support the body with the forearm.
Close ears with the thumb and middle finger of Prevents entry of water.
the non-dominant hand.
Wipe the eyes from inner canthus to outer It prevents entry of debris and microorganisms
canthus with cotton swabs. into the lacrimal gland.
Dip hand in water and wipe face taking care that Follows the principle less contaminated to most
no water goes into the mouth of the infant. contaminated area.
Wet hair and apply soap or shampoo and gently Drying immediately prevents hypothermia.
wash the scalp. Rinse with water and dry hair
with towel.
Place the abby into the tub with shoulders, neck To start washing trunk.
and head supported by the nondominant hand
and the trunk and legs in water.
Wet the baby’s neck, chest, hands, abdomen, legs
and perineum.
For cleaning back and buttocks transfer the baby
to the other hand in such a way that neck and
chest are supported over the palm, by holding
the abby securely.
Apply soap concentrating on skinfolds and rinse Prevents skin irritation.
with the water.
Spread the towel over a flat surface. Place the For better convenience.
baby on it and dry.
With the swab stick, swab the inner and outer To prevent umbilical infection.
circle of cord.
Dress the baby and cover in the blanket or towel. To prevent from hypothermia.
Contraindications of baby bath
Hypothermia
Convulsions
Bronchopneumonia
Congenital cyanotic heart disease
Fresh burns
Critical illness
Premature infants
After care
Wash and replace the articles in the proper place.
Record the type of bath, any abnormal findings on the skin with date and time.
Hand over the baby to the mother for feeding.
Before discharge demonstrate it to the mother, so that she can bath her infant at home.
