How Long To Do Cares

hayleyh31 · Apr 23, 2016

My first check is usually the longest with changing linens, weighing and all the other cares. That usually takes me about 30-35 with feeds. Other checks are between 15-20 minutes plus PO feeds. If I know the baby from the night before, the first check may be a little quicker.

love&loss · Apr 23, 2016

I shoot for 10 minutes or less on solely cares then an extra 5 minutes to prepare my tube feeding/meds. If I am PO feeding, I try to start cares a few minutes early since we allow 30 minutes.

HotLips4077 · Apr 26, 2016

10-30 minutes depending on whether its a first hands-on with assessment, weighing, etc. or just a simple diaper change, reposition, and start NG feed. Obviously longer if it involves a bath, PO feeding, or parents' assistance.

prmenrs, RN · May 2, 2016

Take your cues from the baby's behavior: if s/he is giving finger splays, or other avoidance cues, take a time out.

Do as much observational assessment as possible before touching the baby--If you can count resp rate and sneak a thermometer in there before they wake up, great. Leave a BP cuff on till the baby is quiet again to get that measurement.

Mhays · May 26, 2016

Marcy CNA

It has been awhile since I was doing baby care, but when I did it, it took awhile for several reasons. I would be day shift. So, I would come into the unit, check what was done during the night, and then go from there. I would take care of the babies physical needs like the linens, feeding, and washing. Since I am an entry-level nurse, I would ask the RN in charge about doing other more advanced treatments like NG tubing or other advanced methods of care and they would come and do it. They were always so grateful to have me on their team because I would check the babies to make sure that they were all taken care of and if a baby was in distress, then I would alert them. I would also check for nutrition and hydration. To fully answer your question, it determines what has been done that night into how much time the baby needs care. If the night nurse came and took care of the babies feeding, then all I had to do is a minor assessment and check to make sure they are clean and hydrated. Also, getting information from report is so crucial. It makes all of the difference. Make sure that you get report from the nurses coming off the night shift. Thank you and good luck.