The first bath of the newborn and preterm infants is a topic of several research studies. The response of the infant to tub bathing and sponge bathing is very important to ensure that the infant receives cleansing in such a manner that is the most beneficial to their health and sense of wellbeing as well as that of their mothers. The accepted procedure for the first tub bath for a newborn infant is to unwrap and place them in a tub of warm water up to the shoulders while their head and upper back are supported with one hand by the caregiver. Cleansing with a hospital approved mild cleanser and soft cloth is done and the front and back of the infant is cleaned and rinsed. The face and head are also cleansed in this manner and if needed a comb
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There is concern that the newborn infants’ skin could absorb some of the chemicals from these cleansers and that there needs to be further research done on possible toxicity. There is widespread controversy concerning what kind of skin care products should be used on infants.
While using water only to bathe preterm infants’ for the first week of life is important to prevent toxicity from the cleanser and skin irritation is recommended, a healthy full term infant will need a mild baby cleanser to remove dirt, oils and feces and urine because water by itself only removes about 65% of these substances. (Gelmetti, 2001)
Atopic dermatitis and eczema are a concern regarding skin care and the nurse must talk with the parents before bathing so they may make informed decisions on their newborns skin care. The use of herbal cleansers while good for use on adults has not been proven to be safe for use on infants as their ingredients have been known to cause or exacerbate eczema. Testing done on hairless mice has shown that sunflower seed oil accelerated skin barrier recovery. Herbal ingredients such as aloe, goldenseal, tea tee oil, chamomile and other herbal plants have been shown to not be beneficial. The use of a moisturizer after bathing is important to minimize dry skin, atopic dermatitis and eczema. All natural or organic ingredients are chemicals and it is especially important …show more content…
(Fern, Graves, L’Huillier, 2002) While tub immersion has been shown to reduce the newborns crying, it helps to give them a sense of contentment. Compared to sponge bathing this research study concluded that tub bathing showed no difference in cord healing but was not effective in temperature regulation and stress. (Cole, Brissette, Lunardi, 1999) Distress such as crying and agitation, cold stress, increased episodes of lowered oxygen saturation and increased heart rate accompanied sponge bathing in preterm infants. Therefore the use of sponge bathing preterm infants in the hospital should not be used. (Peters,
There is concern that the newborn infants’ skin could absorb some of the chemicals from these cleansers and that there needs to be further research done on possible toxicity. There is widespread controversy concerning what kind of skin care products should be used on infants.
While using water only to bathe preterm infants’ for the first week of life is important to prevent toxicity from the cleanser and skin irritation is recommended, a healthy full term infant will need a mild baby cleanser to remove dirt, oils and feces and urine because water by itself only removes about 65% of these substances. (Gelmetti, 2001)
Atopic dermatitis and eczema are a concern regarding skin care and the nurse must talk with the parents before bathing so they may make informed decisions on their newborns skin care. The use of herbal cleansers while good for use on adults has not been proven to be safe for use on infants as their ingredients have been known to cause or exacerbate eczema. Testing done on hairless mice has shown that sunflower seed oil accelerated skin barrier recovery. Herbal ingredients such as aloe, goldenseal, tea tee oil, chamomile and other herbal plants have been shown to not be beneficial. The use of a moisturizer after bathing is important to minimize dry skin, atopic dermatitis and eczema. All natural or organic ingredients are chemicals and it is especially important …show more content…
(Fern, Graves, L’Huillier, 2002) While tub immersion has been shown to reduce the newborns crying, it helps to give them a sense of contentment. Compared to sponge bathing this research study concluded that tub bathing showed no difference in cord healing but was not effective in temperature regulation and stress. (Cole, Brissette, Lunardi, 1999) Distress such as crying and agitation, cold stress, increased episodes of lowered oxygen saturation and increased heart rate accompanied sponge bathing in preterm infants. Therefore the use of sponge bathing preterm infants in the hospital should not be used. (Peters,