BATHING A NEWBORN COMPENDIUM

DESCRIPTION

Bathing a Newborn is a procedure done to newborn babies for hygienic and therapeutic purposes.
It includes washing and cleaning the entire body to facilitate personal hygiene and allow through
assessment of skin integrity. Bathing a newborn 2 to 3 times a week is enough using a baby soap.
This provides a wonderful opportunity for parent-infant social interaction.

PURPOSE

• To keep the newborn’s skin clean

• To stimulate circulation
• To closely observe the newborn’s body for evidence of any abnormalities
• To induce sleep
• To minimizes changes in body temperature and provides pleasant tactile stimulation

ASSESSMENT

• Assess the following before bathing the newborn:

- Color
- Moisture
- Temperature
- Texture
- Turgor
- Edema
- Pruritus
• Assess the family’s preference or fit bath time into the family’s schedule.

PLANNING

• Prepare the materials for the procedure.

• Check safety of the environment

MATERIALS

Basin ( big) / Tub bath

Towel
Cotton Balls
Wash cloth
Mild soap
Brush / Comb
Diaper
New set of clothes( infants top, pajama, mittens, booties)
Blanket for swaddling
Clean gloves
IMPLEMENTATION

Directions: Please rate the students’ level of competency on each expected skill using the scale
provided.

0 – NOT DONE
1 – DONE WITH ASSISTANCE
2 – DONE INDEPENDENTLY

KAR PROCEDURE RATIONALE 0 1 2

SAFE AND QUALITY 1. Gather all To facilitate accurate
NURSING CARE equipment/ materials skill performance and
needed to save time and
energy.

2. Perform hand To reduce the risk of

hygiene and put on transmission of
gloves and other PPE, if infectious organisms
indicated. to one self (Kozier)

3. Introduce yourself to
the family and explain To reduce anxiety
the procedure to be and win their
done, cooperation
4.. Verify the newborn To ensure accurate
using at least two identification of
identifiers (i.e. name patient
and birth date or name
and identification
number
5. Close windows and To keep off draught
doors. and to provide
privacy
6. Prepare lukewarm To prevent
water and check the hypothermia or
water temperature at scalding
37-38°C before
bathing the newborn.
If you don’t have a
thermometer, use
your wrist or elbow to
test the temperature –
it should be
comfortably warm,
not hot.

7. Place a towel, laid

out in diamond
fashion,on the
tabletop next to the
basin.
8. Remove all clothing. To prevent
Using a dry towel, hypothermia
wrap the newborn’s
body.
9. Wipe the eyes using To prevent the entry
cotton ball moistened of debris and
with water starting microorganisms into
from inner to outer the lacrimal gland
canthus. Use a new
cotton ball for each
eye.
10. Dip washcloth.
Make a mitt and
wash the face, ears and
neck. Dry all
areas thoroughly.
11. Hold newborn on
one arm (football
hold) over the tub and
wet hair.

● Use baby soap. To prevent skin

Lather soap into irritation
your palm and
● apply to the hair
and scalp using
gentle, circular
motion.
 ● Use soft- bristle
brush/ comb as
necessary.
● Gently rinse the
head.
12. Place the newborn To prevent
on a towel and hypothermia
dry the head using the
corners of the
towel.
13. Uncover the
newborn. Wet upper
extremities, front, back,
buttocks and legs using
washcloth. Apply baby
soap and lather.
14. Pick up the To promote safety
newborn and slowly
place in the baby
bathtub to rinse off.
15. While lifting the To safeguard the
newborn, support newborn from
the head and the neck slipping
using your
forearm. Grasp the
thigh with on the
other hand.
16. Dry the newborn’s Drying immediately
body gently and prevents
thoroughly. hypothermia.
17. Put on diapers (do To prevent umbilical
not cover the infection
umbilicus), dress the
newborn, and
swaddle.
18. Discard used To prevent the
supplies and remove spread of infection.
gloves and other PPE
used.

19. Perform medical Handwashing

handwashing prevents the spread
of possible infection.
RECORDS 20. Document findings Provides evidence of
MANAGEMENT/ of the procedure. client care.
LEGAL
RESPONSIBILITY

EVALUATION

• Evaluate the newborn’s response after the bathing.

• Determine any significant findings
• Record and document the procedure performed.

NURSING CONSIDERATION

● Newborns need a bath only 2-3 times a week.

● Before bathing your newborn, make sure everything you need is within reach.
● Wash newborns in a shallow bath of warm water. You don’t need soap.
● Never leave babies alone in the bath. They can drown quickly in very shallow water.

Computation of Grades:
STEP 1 : Get the sum of all the points for the entire procedure
Step 2 : Use the formula below to get the final grade for the particular competency
checklist.

FORMULA: RAW SCORE / PERFECT SCORE X 75 + 25 = FINAL GRADE

Evaluated by: Conforme:

____________________________________ _____________________________
Signature over printed name Signature over printed name
(Clinical Instructor) (Student)

Date: _____________________________ Date: ________________________