Name: Allen Kenneth S.

Pacis Section: BSN23

Instructor: ___________________________ ______________ Date of Lecture Demo: _____

Infant Tub Bath

Basic Concept: A process of cleansing or bathing an infant that provides the nurse a chance to
give hygiene, an opportunity to teach the mother on how to care her newborn, and also for the
nurse to observe infant’s behavior, alertness and muscular activity.

Objectives:
1. To cleanse the baby’s body from head-to-toe.
2. To promote comfort.
3. To assess the general condition of the infant.

Materials:
70% alcohol (depending on the agency policy or pediatrician’s order)
Baby shampoo
Clean clothes
Cotton balls/ Cotton pads
Disposable diaper/ Cloth diaper
Kidney basins
Neutral or hypoallergenic soap
Plastic tub or clean sink
Powder, lotion or cream (mother’s preference)
Pails and small dipper (if necessary)
Soft towels
Tape measure
Thermometer
Warm water (37.7ºC or 100ºF, should not exceed)
Washcloth
Weighing Scale
Baby clothes pin/ plaster (modification)

Preparation:
1. Review medical record and plan of care.
2. Bathing should take place before feeding.
3. Consider culture and beliefs of mother or the family.
4. Prepare and gather materials or supplies needed.
5. Wash the sink or tub with disinfectant cleaner. Then, line the sink or tub with a bath towel.
6. Place a towel on the counter next to the sink or tub.
7. Arrange materials in order of use.
8. Ensure baby’s safety.
9. Eliminate air draft or ensure that the environment is warm.
10. Wash hands.
11. Fill the tub with warm water and this will be warm to the touch of the elbow.
12. Bring the infant to the workplace.
13. Undress the infant.
PROCEDURE RATIONALE
1. Assess the infant. To document the baby's findings and establish
a. Weigh infant and record weight. a baseline for future comparison.
b. Take axillary temperature.
c. Observe the respiratory rate, depth and ease
of respiration.
d. Determine the other anthropometric
measurements such as the height, head, chest
and mid-arm circumference.

2. Continue to assess and observe the infant as To observe infant’s behavior, alertness and
you perform the procedure. muscular activity. Also, observe potential
problem of the neonate.

3. Wrap him/ her in a blanket or towel. To provide warmth and to restrain the baby
a. When wrapping the baby, place blanket or while washing or cleaning him/her. And to also
towel in a flat surface diagonally. Place baby at minimize heat loss and prevent hypothermia
the center, fold the lower corner of the blanket
over the legs and feet.
b. Fold the two side corners under the arms and
over the chest.

4. Using a cotton ball or wash cloth moistened To provide warmth and to restrain the baby
with water and squeezed out, clean/ wipe eyes while washing or cleaning him/her. And to also
gently from inside corner outward. minimize heat loss and prevent hypothermia

5. Clean the nose, face and ears using Clear and clean water can be used to avoid skin
washcloth. Using the different sides of clean irritation and dryness, although a neutral soap
washcloth. can be used if preferred by the mother or as
recommended by the physician

6. Wash infant’s head, use a neutral soap or Soaps and shampoos formulated for adults may
baby shampoo. be harmful to the baby's eyes..
a. To wash the hair/ head, hold the infant in a
football hold or manner.
a.1. Support the baby’s head on the palm of
your left hand.
a.2. The baby’s back will be supported along
your left forearm.
a.3. The hips will be pressed against your waist
by your left elbow.
You may use either arm as long as you support
the head and back.
b. Wash infant’s head or hair in a gentle
circular motion.

7. Dry the infant’s head with a towel carefully. To ensure that the infant is not injured due to
drying.

8. Unwrap the infant and gently place him on To wash different areas of the body
the tub lined with towel.
 To secure the baby and prevent accidental
9. One hand should always be holding the slipping
baby.
To remove dirt and grime that may be lodged
10. Tilt head back to cleanse the neck using the in the crevices of the neck.
washcloth.

11. Wash and soap the baby’s chest, abdomen, Folds and creases may harbor dirt that serves
arms, armpit, back and lower extremities. Pay as a breeding ground for bacteria.
attention to creases or folds.

12. Refill the basin or tub with clean, clear, and To wash of the extra soap
warm water, then rinse thoroughly.

13. Clean the genitalia. To prevent infection

a. If the infant is female, wash perineal area
from front to back.
b. Cleanse penis without retracting it.
c. Circumcision area, just keep area clean, you
may apply petrolatum gauze. Observe for
bleeding.

14. Lift the infant out of the tub and dry Pat dry the infant only
thoroughly.

15. Do cord care. To prevent the infection of the cord stump

a. Inspect umbilical cord.
b. Check area for bleeding or foul odor.
c. A drying agent such as 70% alcohol may be
used. Check agency policy and physician’s
order.
d. Do not cover with diaper.

16. You may apply powder, lotion or cream to The usage of oil and lotion may cause
the infant whichever the mother prefers. irritation.

17. Diaper and dress the infant. To provide warmth and comfort for the baby

18. Place infant in the crib or allow mother to To promote interaction and connection
hold the baby. between the infant and the mother

19. Clean and return equipment used to their Ready for next use
proper place.

20. Clean the area. To promote cleanliness

21. Wash hands. Prevent cross contamination
22. Document care rendered and observations/ Documenting provides baseline data while also
assessments. providing assessment findings

1. Nettina, Sandra M. (2010). Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice, 9th ed.

2. McKinney, et.al. (2012). Maternal-Child Nursing, 4th ed.
3. www.babycenter.com