Basic Care & Hygiene of Infants. BATHING

17
PAEDIATRIC NURSING 1 Basic Hygiene and Care Presenter: Graham Morgan Bachelor of Nursing: Year 3 1 School of Health sciences BATHING

description

This is a third year nursing course Presented at Pacific Adventist University in Port Morseby, Papua New Guinea.The presentation outlines the basic techniques used in bathing and caring for the infants.

Transcript of Basic Care & Hygiene of Infants. BATHING

Slide 1

PAEDIATRIC NURSING 1

Basic Hygiene and Care

Presenter: Graham MorganBachelor of Nursing: Year 31School of Health sciences BATHINGLearning ObjectivesAt the end of the presentation students will be able;

Learn how to prepare equipments to bath the baby.Learn why is it important for self preparation.Learn why the baby tub is designed differently.Learn how to place the baby in the tub or dish. Learn how to sponge the baby.Learn how to wash the hair.Learn how to lift the baby from the tub after bath.Learn how to towel the baby dry.Learn how to apply ointment. Learn how to diaper the baby and cloth him or her.

2

Equipments Needed for BatheGather what you need for the bath including the;Tub, a cup for pouring water, gentle baby soap, two washcloths, and cotton balls for cleaning the baby's eyes and ears.Optionally, bath toys for the baby to play withNB: After bath equipments include; 1. a towel, 2. a brush or comb, 3. lotion or oil, 4. a diaper & diaper ointment

Have rubbing alcohol on hand to clean the baby's umbilical cord area if it is still attached.

3

Dress in appropriate clothes (Self Preparation)

James and Mott (1988), emphasized that caregiver must create the environment which is suitable for both the child and herself.Wear something you don't mind getting wet and soapy (Bathe, 2015).

Roll up long sleeves, and remove jewellery like watches, rings, and bracelets.

Make sure your clothes don't have zippers or pins that could scratch the baby's skin.

Many caregivers like wearing a terrycloth bathrobe while bathing a baby. 4Set up the tubMost baby tubs available are shaped so as to support the infant's neck and head. They usually have a mat or sling that prevents the baby from being completely submerged in water. Place the baby tub in a clean sink, bathtub, or on the bathroom floor, depending on the environment that you are in (Bathe, 2015).

If you do not have a baby bathtub, you may use a clean kitchen sink instead. Just make sure the faucet does not come near the baby's head. Faucet covers are available for baby-proofing your sink.

Do not use a full-size adult bathtub to bathe an infant. They are too deep, and it's difficult to make sure the baby doesn't slip during the bath.If your baby bathtub doesn't have a tread on the bottom to keep the baby from slipping, line it with a washcloth or separate bathtub tread.

5

5Fill the tub with a few inches of warm waterRun the water and test the temperature. You may use your elbow, wrist or a special bath thermometer to make sure the water isn't too hot or cold. The water should be comfortably warm to the touch, but not as hot as you'd prefer for your own bath or shower (Bathe , 2015).

If the baby still has his or her umbilical cord, simply fill a bowl with water so you can administer a sponge bath instead.

Always test the water before placing baby in the tub.

When in doubt, err on the cooler side; your hands are rougher than a baby's sensitive skin, so he or she will feel heat more acutely than you.

Do not fill the tub more than a couple of inches. Babies should never be submerged in water. As your baby gets a little bigger, you can add a bit more water, but never enough to come close to submerging the baby.

6

Lay your baby in the tub feet firstAccording to Lucille, Whaley, Donna and Wong (1987), infants should be handle with extra precaution when bathing, clothing and feeding. Keep one hand supporting the baby's back, neck and head as you carefully lower him or her into the tub. Continue supporting the baby throughout the bath with one hand, and use the other hand to wash him or her (Bathe, 2015).

Babies can be very wriggly and slippery, so be very careful once he or she becomes wet (Wong, 1995).

7

Begin washing the babyUse a cup, or your cupped hand, to get the baby's body wet. Use a soft washcloth to gently wash the baby's face, body, arms and legs (Bathe, 2015).Use cotton balls to wipe the baby's eyes and ears.If you wish, you can use a safe baby soap that is very neutral, but it isn't necessary; a gentle scrub and wash down are adequate to keep babies clean. Don't forget to get between all the little creases and behind the ears and under the neck, where spit-up and moisture tend to collect.Use a little baby soap on a washcloth to wash the baby's hands and feet.Clean the baby's genitals last, using a dab of baby soap if you wish. If you have a baby boy who is circumcised, gently wipe him with the wet washcloth. Wash girls from front to back to prevent infection.8

Wash the hairIf it is necessary to wash the baby's hair, lean him or her back and gently massage water into the hair and scalp. Use the cup to pour clean water over the baby's head. You can use baby shampoo if desired, but there is really no need. Lucille et al (1987) argue that babies are born with all the natural oils needed to keep the scalp healthy, and shampoos can easily spoil this balance.

If you use baby shampoo, use your hand to create a "visor" to protect the baby's eyes from the soap.Before rinsing, check again to make sure that the temperature of the running water is not too hot.

9

Lift the baby from the tub Support the baby's head, neck, and back with one arm, and hold his or her bottom and thigh with the other. Place baby in a towel, being careful to cover his or her head.

10

Towel the baby dry

Dry the baby's body first, making sure to dry gently behind the ears and in the skin folds, so that no excess moisture is left there. Towel-dry the hair as much as possible.

11

Apply ointments if necessary

Dab a little ointment on the baby's diaper rash or circumcision wound if you've been advised to by a doctor (Bathe, 2015).

It's OK to apply baby creams, lotions, or oils if you'd like, but these aren't necessary.

If the baby still has his or her umbilical cord, use a cotton ball to lightly dab the area with rubbing alcohol.

12

Diaper and clothe the baby If you're about to put your little one down to rest, choose an outfit that's easy to fit on him or her, preferably with snaps instead of buttons. You may also choose to swaddle the baby.

13

Practical Tips in baby bathingA bath before bedtime helps make the transition to sleep easier.

Babies who still have their umbilical cords should be sponge-bathed until it falls off.

Try castile soaps, which are commonly available in natural foods or camping supply stores. These soaps are great for parents, too, are gentle on the skin, often organic, use all natural ingredients, and are useful for all sorts of household tasks.

For a real indulgence, warm the towels in the dryer.

Babies only need to be bathed three or four times a week, but it can be an excellent night time ritual if you'd like to do it daily.

Do not scrub the baby's back with a scrubber or with your hand very roughly. Instead of this, gently massage for 2 minutes. This will keep the baby's skin soft and supple.14Warnings

Never use adult bar soap on a baby; it is too drying.

Never leave a baby unattended in any amount of water.

Be careful with the products you choose to use on the baby. Although there are a lot of "Baby Bath" and "Baby Shampoos" commercially available, these can still be very harsh on delicate baby skin and even cause rashes.

Use soothing, soft and harsh chemical-free products only. This means read the label - if the product is one you do not understand, do not use it on the baby.

Make sure room in which you are bathing baby is warm.

15

Summary: There are three segments in bathing an Infant Step # 1 Prepare for Bath Time Step # 2 Bath your baby Step # 3 After the Bath1.Prepare the equipment.

Gather all the necessary equipments needed to perform the procedure. 1. Lay your baby in the tub feet first.

Once the baby's in the bath, you won't be able to leave him or her for even a moment, so it's important to set out everything you need before you begin.

1. Towel the baby dry.

Dry the baby's body first, making sure to dry gently behind the ears and in the skin folds, so that no excess moisture is left there. Towel-dry the hair as much as possible.

2. Seek permission for the mother.

Ethical practice; always ask permission from the mother or the guardian. 2. Begin washing the baby.

. Use a cup, or your cupped hand, to get the baby's body wet. Use a soft washcloth to gently wash the baby's face, body, arms and legs.

2. Apply ointments if necessary.

Dab a little ointment on the baby's diaper rash or circumcision wound if you've been advised to by a doctor. 3. Preparation of Self.

Before performing any procedure,Always prepare yourself; practically competent and physically alert. 3. Wash the hair If it is necessary to wash the baby's hair, lean him or her back and gently massage water into the hair and scalp. Use the cup to pour clean water over the baby's head. 3. Diaper and clothe the baby.

If you're about to put your little one down to rest, choose an outfit that's easy fit on him or her, preferably with snaps instead of buttons. You may also choose to swaddle the baby. 4. Lift the baby from the tub

Support the baby's head, neck, and back with one arm, and hold his or her bottom and thigh with the other. Place baby in a towel, being careful to cover his or her head. 16

Reference Lucille. F. Whaley and Donna. L. Wong (1987). Nursing Care of Infant and children. The C. V Mosby Company- USA.

James, S.R & Mott, S.R. (1988). Child Health Nursing; Essential Care of Children & Families. Sydney, AUS: Addison-Wesley.

Wong, D.L. (1995). Whaley & Wongs Nursing Care of Infants & Children. 5th ed. Chicago, USA: Mosby.

Bathe . (2015).Retrieved from http://www.wikihow.com/Bathe-an-infant

17