nursing policy on handling infant that is not bathed - Page 2

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  1. Mar 11, '12 by
    I don't understand how washing the crud, blood, etc off a newborn with warm cloths and then immediately placing the infant in a warmer bassinet is more stress than the child should bear. Especially when compared with having staff hold the child at arm's length with gloves and gown to keep any part of its skin from touching them because the infant is covered in potentially infectious (to the staff) material. Seems more stressful to the infant to miss out on comforting holding opportunities, imho.

    Delaying the bath for a short while for the parents to do, fine. Indefinitely (till the stump comes off?!) seems very excessive.
    M/B-RN, Altra, and CBsMommy like this.
  2. Mar 11, '12 by
    I wear gloves whenever I touch baby anyhow, bathed or not, so this isn't really an issue for me. Plus, we know if Mom has anything communicable anyhow. It's manadatory testing at my hospital, and all results are visible and in the front of the chart. If she's positive for anything, it's always passed on in report.
  3. Mar 11, '12 by
    Not in the US but I'm pretty sure a bath soon after delivery is not common where I am. When I had my kids, any visible blood was given a bit of a wipe with a towel. I gave them a bath in the tub the following day.

    When my grandkids were born, they weren't bathed at all until they were home. I don't think it was anything to do with temperature regulation or the umbilical cord, it was just considered unnecessary. Their parents were advised not to wash the vernix off when they did bath them, just let it come off in its own time. They all had a bit of vernix in their skin folds for a week or more after they were born despite a couple of baths.

    I don't work in OB so would like to learn more about the reason for bathing a baby shortly after birth. If it's to do with blood or body fluids on the baby's skin, wouldn't staff be wearing gloves anyway?
    Smurfette752 likes this.
  4. Mar 11, '12 by
    Vernix has good antibacterial properties?...so what! Washing with soap and water is also antibacterial... Oh Lordy.. Oh Lordy when will the insanity stop, and medicine become more of a profession again. PROFESSIONAL vs. Google search MedicineMD. Duh........
    PinkNBlue, kms6417, and Esme12 like this.
  5. Mar 11, '12 by
    Quote from diligent-trooper
    Vernix has good antibacterial properties?...so what! Washing with soap and water is also antibacterial... Oh Lordy.. Oh Lordy when will the insanity stop, and medicine become more of a profession again. PROFESSIONAL vs. Google search MedicineMD. Duh........
    Why do you think it's insane and/or unprofessional to leave vernix on a newborn's skin?
    Libitina likes this.
  6. Mar 11, '12 by
    Well, enlighten me with why it isn't? Vernix shields the infant from bacteria growth for what period of time?
  7. Mar 11, '12 by
    Quote from imintrouble
    I'm not OB/GYN was just surfing. Why in heaven's name would anyone refuse their baby a bath???? What's the rationale? The bigger question is why would the hospital comply?
    Strike the last question. Customer service.
    A friend of a friend of a friend said it was a good idea and that they should include it in their birth plan.


    I posted prior to reading the full thread and seeing that several people have specific reasons for for not doing so and I can respect that ---- but , I still say for the average person requesting it, they don't really know why.
    Last edit by Old.Timer on Mar 11, '12
  8. Mar 11, '12 by
    Quote from Old.Timer
    A friend of a friend of a friend said it was a good idea and that they should include it in their birth plan.
    Well, it is official... if it comes from a friend-of-a-friend, and of another friend...then, it is true. My friend's friend had a friend..and he was a great friend of a friend's friend.
    Not_A_Hat_Person and Esme12 like this.
  9. Mar 11, '12 by
    Quote from diligent-trooper
    Well, enlighten me with why it isn't? Vernix shields the infant from bacteria growth for what period of time?
    There are other benefits besides some protection from bacterial growth. I don't know how long the protective benefits last but does it matter? If it isn't harmful, if it's actually beneficial, why the need to wash it off?

    I haven't done any research because it's not something I've ever had to worry about before, I was taught years ago there are benefits to leaving it and in my personal experience I've never been told it should be washed off. Just had a quick look now and found these - I acknowledge it wasn't a 'thorough review of the literature'.

    Medscape: Medscape Access

    National Guideline Clearinghouse | Neonatal skin care, second edition. Evidence-based clinical practice guideline.

    http://www.rch.org.au/rchcpg/index.cfm?doc_id=12620
    Smurfette752 likes this.
  10. Asst. Admin
    Mar 11, '12 by
    Quote from Complete Unknown
    There are other benefits besides some protection from bacterial growth. I don't know how long the protective benefits last but does it matter? If it isn't harmful, if it's actually beneficial, why the need to wash it off?

    I haven't done any research because it's not something I've ever had to worry about before, I was taught years ago there are benefits to leaving it and in my personal experience I've never been told it should be washed off. Just had a quick look now and found these - I acknowledge it wasn't a 'thorough review of the literature'.

    Medscape: Medscape Access
    Very educational.....I have specialized critical care and emergency medicine. I like learning something every day. I like Medscape.....you have to register but it is free. I ahve belonged a long time.

    OK next question.....What could be spread by not bathing them.
    CompleteUnknown likes this.