– Benson.A.R,
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| Bathing -The Infant |
As soon as the baby is born, the skin should be anointed with pure warm olive oil. After twelve hours a sponge bath with warm water may be given, which may be continued daily for two weeks, after which the baby may be bathed in a tub daily unless such baths are contra-indicated. If, after bathing, the skin or nails turn blue, or if the baby shows indications of weakness or lowered vitality, a tub bath should not be given. Premature babies, or those which are very weak and puny at birth, should not receive tub baths, and frequently all bathing must be omitted until the baby is stronger. Bathing is a luxury, not a necessity, and the bath must be adapted to the individual baby. Only general rules can be laid down.
A bath thermometer should be used if possible. When a thermometer is not available, the nurse should test the temperature, not by the hand, but by touching the elbow to the water. Water which seems right to the hand is oftentimes too hot or too cold for the baby. The following table may be taken as a general guide for the temperature of the bath at different ages.
At birth . . . . 98° Fahrenheit
First four weeks . . . 95° “
1st to 6th month . . 93° “
6th to 12th month . . 90° “
12th to 24th month . . 86° “
After this the temperature may be gradually reduced in the summer to 80°, and by the time the child is three or four years old, if well borne, baths at 75° may be given. Never try to toughen the child by giving cold baths.
The bath should be given as quickly as possible, the tub being placed at the side of the fireplace farthest from the windows. Warm towels should be ready at hand, and a warm, soft blanket in which to wrap the child. The clothes should be so placed that they will be warm and ready to put on.
In giving the bath, the face should be washed first, keeping the body and limbs wrapped in a warm blanket. The eyes, nose and external ears may be cleansed with clear water and a bit of cotton. Great care should be used not to rub the eyelids or the mucous membrane of the nose, and water must not be allowed to get into the ear. These parts are very sensitive, and unless great care is used, more harm than good will be done in the efforts to cleanse them.
Ordinarily, soap is unnecessary, except perhaps for the hands and feet and the region around the anus. These parts should be washed with soft cloths while the infant lies on the nurse’s lap.’ The baby should then be placed in the tub, and the body carefully rinsed. Soft cloths should be used instead of sponges, which are always filthy. The baby is then quickly removed from the tub, wrapped in a warm blanket, carefully dried without too much rubbing, and dressed.
The tub is preferably of white rubber, hung on a simple frame of convenient height.
The wash basin should be of china, and is more convenient if divided into two compartments so that clean water is always available.
There should be two wash cloths, one for the head and face, the other for the body and extremities.
Pure castile soap only should be used on healthy skin.
Powder may be used after the bath in the folds of the skin, if there is any irritation or redness. Pure unscented talcum powder is the best, and a moderate quantity applied to the skin is better than too much. If the skin is perfectly clear and soft after the bath, powder should be omitted. It is rarely necessary for healthy infants if the skin is thoroughly dried. When used it only clogs the pores of the skin. Powder should be applied with a bit of clean cotton which can be burned after using. Skin diseases may be easily carried from one part to another by means of a “powder puff.” If powder is shaken on the skin from a box there is danger of using too much.
Babies with skin eruptions should not be bathed with soap and water unless under a physician’s directions. Eczema and many other skin conditions are aggravated and sometimes caused by too much bathing.
In cases where there is excessive irritation in the folds of the skin which is not relieved by powder, the soap should be omitted and a small bag of bran placed in the tub. No local applications should be used on the skin except when directed.