BABY BATH – Purpose, Types of Bath, General Instructions, Equipment needed, and Articles near the Bed Side, Procedure and After Care (NURSING PROCEDURE)
NURSING PROCEDURES LIST CLICK HERE
Baby bath is a hygienic care given to the newborn in the hospital or community setup
PURPOSE
- To be baby’s skin clean
- To maintain healthy skin
- To stimulate circulation
- To refresh the baby
- To detect any physical abnormalities
- To monitor the infants growth and development
TYPES OF BATH
- Lap bath: bathing the baby by keeping him on the lap
- Sponge bath: bathing the child in bed
- Oil bath: applying oil all over the baby’s body
- Tub bath: small tub or basin is used in giving bath to a baby
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
- The newborn’s temperature regulating mechanisms are under developed, so measures to avoid over heating mechanisms are important
- The nurse should use right judgment in selecting the soap, and cloths
- The ideal time of bath should be one hour after feeding the baby
- While giving baby bath, give opportunity to the mother to participate
- The clothing for baby should be selected according to the environmental temperature
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
A tray containing
- Mackintosh and big towel – 1
- Bath blanket – 1
- Towels – 2 and small face bowel – 1
- Soap in a dish
- Oil in the bottle
- Kidney tray and paper bag
- Dresses for baby
- Apron – 1 (rubber), cotton balls in a bowl, buds in a container
- Bath thermometer
ARTICLES NEAR THE BED SIDE
- Bath basin – 2
- Buckets – 1 or 2
- Jugs – 2
PROCEDURE
- Wash hands thoroughly and wear apron
- Bring the baby to the bath table
- Undress the baby and wrap in the big towel
- First wipe the eyes from medial to lateral side, use separate swabs for each eye
- If the crust is seen in nostrils, use a lubricated swab to clean nose, rotate it and clean all sides
- Clean the inside ears with rolled wisp of cotton
- Wipe the face with warm water and dry gently, don’t use soap on the face
- Obscene baby’s mouth for thrush, if present applies gentian violet
- Hold the baby securely by sliding your hand until the baby’s head is well supported in your palm
- Hold the baby’s head over the basin, wet it, apply soap, rinse it with water and dry it thoroughly
- Discard the water and take fresh water to keep the water clean and at correct temperature
- Unwrap the body, apply soap all over the body, giving special attention to the neck, arms, axillae, grains fingers and toes
- The baby is held firmly and submerged gradually into the water in the tub to rinse the soap completely
- Take the baby from the water and dry him by patting gently
AFTER CARE
- Dress the cord stump, if any
- Dress the baby as early as possible
- Comb the hair
- Give the baby to the mother for feeding
- Replace the articles after cleaning
- Wash hands and record the procedure
