|
|
|
7. The Principles and Procedures
for an Infant Sponge Bath
c. Sponging procedures
1) Fill basins with warm water (never hot;
test with your elbow).
2) Use one basin for soapy water and for rinsing
the soapy washcloth.
3) Use one basin for clear water and the soapless
washcloth.
4) Only one part of the infant's body is washed
at a time, taking care to keep other parts of the body covered to prevent
chill.
5) Use only clear, soapless water and washcloth
on the baby's face. Eyes are wiped from inside corner outward. Use a different
corner of the cloth for each eye.
6) Wash the infant's head using gentle
circular motions to prevent cradle cap from forming.
7) Wash the rest of the infant's body one
area at a time with mild soap and water; rinse with clear water and cloth
from soapless basin. Talking and smiling reassuringly to the baby throughout
the bath will make it a pleasant experience.
8) Dry the infant well as each part of
body is finished being rinsed.
(a) Special areas to check include: behind ears,
under and around the neck, creases around the eyes, underside of the arm
at the shoulder, backsides of the knees, ankle creases, in between toes
and fingers, creases inside the thighs and under buttocks. Around the genital
area, separate the infant girl's labia and pat dry, front to back; for
boys, dry the underside of the scrotum.
(b) Improper drying can cause irritation and chafing
of skin, which could contribute to skin infections in the infant.
(c) Always keep one hand on the baby throughout the
bathing process.
|
