This is the initial process of cleaning the newborn baby thoroughly by the midwife. It is usually performed between 6 to 24 hours after delivery irrespective of the condition of the mother. On the other hand, initial baby bath is delayed in the case where baby is critically ill.
Aims
· Maintain personal cleanliness
· Prevent skin infections
· Enhance comfort and relaxation of baby
· Promote positive interaction
· Induce sleep
· Offer opportunity for health education to the mother
· Offer opportunity to examine the baby
Types
· Top and tail
· Complete bath
Requirements
1. Trolley containing the following:
a. Two big towels
b. Two small towels
c. Sponge
d. Baby soap/shampoo
e. Combs
f. Baby cream (Vaseline or shea butter)
g. Clothing (dress and diaper)
h. Cot sheets
i. Baby cap/booties/muttons
j. Mackintosh apron
k. Gloves
l. Jug containing hot/cold water
m. Two bowls (mixing water)
n. Tray for cord dressing
· Chlorhexidine gel/methylated spirit
· Sterile cotton wool swab
· Sterile gallipot
· Sterile gloves
o. Receiver for used swabs
p. Cord clamp or ligature
2. Bath thermometer
3. Gallipot
4. Sterile cotton wool swab
Steps
1. Establish rapport (refer steps)
2. Explains procedure to client (Refer steps)
3. Assemble all items to be used
4. Prepare conducive bathing area
5. Maintain infection prevention throughout the procedure
6. Put on plastic apron, perform hand hygiene and wear gloves
7. Mix and test temperature of water with elbow or bath thermometer
8. Collect and put baby on a safe flat surface and undress him/her
9. Allow mother to observe if possible
10. Wrap baby with big towel/cot sheet
11. Clean baby’s eyes with sterile cotton wool swabs from the inner canthus outwards with clean warm water
12. Clean baby’s face with damp face towel
13. Support nape of the baby’s neck and plug baby’s ears with two fingers/cotton wool swabs
14. Wash hair with soapy sponge, rinse and dry thoroughly
15. Cover baby’s hair with cap
16. Wash the neck, paying attention to the folds
17. Wash arms and front of trunk to the feet
18. Turn the baby’s back with one arm supporting the chest and wash the back down to the feet
19. Support baby and immerse baby’s body in a bath of warm water, with head above the water and rinse thoroughly
20. Place baby on a bath towel/clean cot sheet
21. Use small towel to dry the baby, paying attention to skin folds
22. Apply body cream (Vaseline or shea butter) on baby, dress him/her up and expose cord
23. Perform hand hygiene and put on sterile gloves
24. Observe ligature/ cord clamp for looseness and re-clamp/re-ligate if necessary
25. Hold stem of cord with one cotton wool swab soaked in spirit OR dry cotton wool swab when using chlorhexidine gel
26. Swab skin 5cm away and around base of cord when using spirit OR apply gel from tip
27. Swab stem from base upwards using a swab for each stroke till cord is cleaned or ensure gel spreads around the cord
28. Swab the tip of the cord (with spirit) and leave cord exposed on top of the diaper in both cases
29. Wrap baby and send him/her to client
30. Communicate findings and express appreciation to mother
31. Dispose off and decontaminate used items
32. Perform hand hygiene
33. Record into Maternal and Child Health Recor
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