Bathing of the newborn baby

BATHING OF NEWBORN BABY

नवजात शिशु का स्नान

tips by Dr.R.K.Nirankari (M.D.)

BATHING OF NEWBORN BABY

This is a very common question every parent asks a child specialist doctor that how should they bath the baby? What should be the timing of the bath? How many times in a week? and what kind of soap and shampoo should they use for a newborn? In this article, I will describe all these points according to the expert's opinions and WHO guidelines.

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BENEFITS OF BATHING OF THE NEWBORN BABY

Bathing makes the baby calm and tactile stimulation during bathing give a pleasurable feel to baby and this increases the bonding between baby and caregiver. Hygiene is improved by bathing and it may prevent many infections.

TIMING OF THE FIRST BATHING OF THE NEWBORN BABY

WHO guideline says that a healthy, term, normal baby should be given the first bath after six-hour of birth.

Term baby means that completed 37 weeks of gestation and whose weight is above 2.5 kg.

While IUGR baby or whose weight is less than 2.5 kg should be given only a sponge bath until they reach the weight of 2.5 kg.

Some experts say that bathing should be avoided until the fall of the umbilical cord stump.

HOW TO GIVE A BATH TO NEWBORN BABY

Use water with a comfortable temperature for baby, bathing water temperature should not exceed 37 °C. Bathing of the newborn should be preferred in a warm room. The water level in the bathtub should be 5cm or up to the hip of a baby. Carefully wash the bathtub before a baby is placed in the tub.

bathing for 3-5 min is good enough for newborns. Over bathing can overhydrate the skin and it may cause skin fragility and increase the chance of skin infection and injury.

TIMING OF ROUTINE BATHING OF THE NEWBORN BABY

Daily bathing is good in the summer season, while in winter and hilly areas the alternate day of every third-day bathing is good for newborns.

SOAP AND CLEANSER FOR NEWBORN BABY

liquid cleanser, syndets or a mild soap with neutral pH or acidic pH should be used. Alkaline soap should be avoided as this may damage the acid mantle and skin barrier of newborn baby's skin.

CLEANSING OF DIAPER AREAS OF NEWBORN BABY

Water and wet cloth are the gold standards for cleansing the nappy area of the newborn. Keep the nappy area dry. Moistened clothes or cotton balls soaked in lukewarm water can be used. If an excessive diaper is used than barrier creams with zinc oxide and petroleum base should be used. Wash the cloth napkins with mild detergents and always dry in the sunlight.

CARE OF UMBILICAL CORD OF NEWBORN BABY

The umbilical cord should be kept clean, dry and exposed to air.

CARE OF SCALP AND  HAIRS OF NEWBORN BABY

Baby's scalp and hairs should be washed after the cord falls with a frequency of twice a week thereafter.

USE OF  POWDER, EMOLLIENTS 

Baby powder can be used but avoid inhalations.

Emollients with hydrocarbon oils, fatty acids, and fatty alcohol should be used.

OILS MASSAGE FOR NEWBORN BABY

OIL MASSAGE OF NEWBORN BABY

Coconut oil, sunflower oil, mineral oil should be used in newborns. Massage gives warmth to the baby and it helps in the weight gain of the baby and keeps the baby happy and calm.

Mustard oil can cause allergic dermatitis in newborns, and olive oil can cause erythema and disruption of the skin barrier in some babies

Avoid massage in summer if the baby has miliaria Rubra.

Massage should be given before the bath in summer and after the bath during the winter season.

Massage should be started after the 10th day of life and should be given after one hour of feeding.

It should be done in a warm room. Give gentle and firm strokes while giving massage to the newborn baby. A total 15-minute massage is enough for the newborn.

For more info about newborn care click here-CARE OF NEWBORN BABY/ नवजात शिशु की देखभाल कैसे करे