Evidence Based Practice: Delaying

Infant Bathing
Grace Frankland & Gabrielle Wadle
Murray State University
 The current problem is the prompt bathing of infants
post-delivery, which can lead to hypothermia. The current
hospital’s policy is to bathe an infant once they are stable
and their rectal temperature is at or above 98.6 °F.

Abstract Although the infant may become stable within the first 24-
hours of birth, the World Health Organization
recommends that, “Bathing should be delayed until 24
hours after birth.” (2013, p. 4). Research has been
completed to support delaying infant bathing until 24
hours post-delivery, suggesting potential modifications to
current policy.
 ● The aim of this presentation is to
encourage policy updates to meet
evidence-based practice standards.

Introduction ● Current policy disregards timing between

delivery and bathing.

● Delayed infant bathing 24 hours post-

delivery has been shown to decrease the
risk of hypothermia in infants.
 ● This theory focuses on assisting

Theoretical patients with fourteen basic activities

until the patient can achieve these for
themselves (Henderson, 1966 as cited

Framework in Potter et al., 2017).

● The basic activities that are pertinent to

the infant bathing policy development
Henderson’s Nursing Need are body temperature, hygiene, and
Theory safety.

● Delaying infant bathing preverses

homeostasis, therefore providing the
best patient care.
Supporting Evidence
 The Effect of delaying first bathing on skin barrier function in late preterm
infants: A study protocol for multi-centre, single-blind RCT

Authors: Emine Efe and Halil Ibrahim Taşdemir ● Study includes 80 late preterm infants

Publication Date: February, 2021

● The control group was bathed 24-48
hours after birth and the experimental
Journal: Journal of Advanced Nursing, 77(2), group was bathed 48-72 hours after
1051–1061
birth
● Study suggests that delayed bathing
positively affects transepidermal
water loss, body temperature, and
comfort
In-text Citation: Efe & Taşdemir, 2021, February
● Study is still ongoing
 Effects of delayed newborn bathing on breastfeeding,
hypothermia, and hypoglycemia
Authors: William K. Midodzi, Phil Murphy,
Leigh-Anne A. Newhook, Laurie Twells, and Susan
Warren
Publication Date: February 11, 2020
Journal: JOGNN: Journal of Obstetric,
Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 49(2), 181–189
In-text Citation: Midodzi et al., 2020, February 11
● Researched the relationship between delayed
bathing and breastfeeding and hypothermia
● Study included 1,225 newborns
● Control group was bathed on average 3.5
hours post delivery and experimental group
was bathed on average 30 hours post delivery.
● The study showed that the experimental group
had a decreased incidence of hypothermia
● The study showed a association between
delayed bathing and exclusive breastfeeding
 First bathing time of newborn infants after birth: A
comparative analysis
Authors: Duygu Gӧzen PhD, Sinem Y. Çaka,
Selda A. Beşirik, Yildiz Perk MD
Publication Date: March 19, 2019
Journal: Journal of Specialists in Pediatric
Nursing
In-text Citation: Gӧzen et al., 2019, March 19
● Researched the effect of delaying infant
bathing 24 hours post-delivery vs. 48 hours
post-delivery on hypothermia of the infant
● 73 infants total: 39 control group (bathed
24 hours after birth), 34 experimental
group (bathed 48 hours post-delivery)
● The temperature of the infant was recorded
10 minutes after a bath was given
● Study suggests that infants temperatures
are statistically lower when bathed at 24
hours post-delivery, opposed to 48 hours.
 Policy Recommendation: Delaying infant
bathing until they are stable and at least
24-hours-old.

Recommendations for Implementation:

Practice ● Begin conversation between unit
director and staff regarding changes.
● Hold in person meetings to discuss
changes and how to best implement new
policy.
● Utilize posters and verbal reminders to
reinforce policy changes.
 Conclusion
● The current policy regarding infant bathing is to bathe once a rectal temperature of at least 98.6 °F
has been achieved, no matter the time since delivery.

● According to current experimental studies, along with the World Health Organization (2013, p. 4),
delaying bathing until at least 24 hours post-delivery increases the infant's ability to refrain from
developing hypothermia. Modifying current bathing policy to require a temperature of 98.6 °F and
at least 24 hours post-delivery would be congruent with current best practice measures.

● It is vital to update policies in order to provide the highest level of care to all patients.
 Survey
● Please complete the following Google form:
https://forms.gle/noBMfN61DjzR7e3n9
 References
Efe, E., & Taşdemir, H. I.. (2021, February). The effect of delaying first bathing on skin barrier function in late preterm infants: A study protocol for multi ‐
centre, single‐blind RCT.” Journal of Advanced Nursing, 77(2), 1051–1061., doi:10.1111/jan.14657.

Beşirik, S. A, Çaka, S. Y., Gözen, D., PhD, & Perk, Y., MD. (2019, March 19). First bathing time of newborn infants after birth: A comparative analysis.
Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing. Retrieved February 18, 2021, from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/. doi:10.1111/jspn.12239

Murray Calloway County Hospital. (1977). OB Policy: Bathing the Infant (VII-4). Murray, KY: Murray Calloway County Hospital.

Midodzi, W. K., Murphy, P., Newhook, L.-A. A., Twells, L., & Warren, S. (2020, February 11). Effects of delayed newborn bathing on breastfeeding,
hypothermia, and hypoglycemia. JOGNN: Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 49(2), 181–189.
https://doi-org.ezproxy.waterfield.murraystate.edu/10.1016/j.jogn.2019.12.004

Petiprin, A. (Ed.). (2019, August 21). Henderson's nursing need theory. https://nursing-theory.org/theories-and-models/henderson-need-theory.php.

Potter, P. A., Perry, A. G., Stockert, P. A., & Hall, A. (2017). Theoretical Foundations of Nursing Practice. In Fundamentals of nursing (9th ed., pp. 46-47). St.
Louis, MO: Elsevier.

World Health Organization. (2013). WHO recommendations on postnatal care of the mother and newborn.
https://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/documents/postnatal-care-recommendations/en/