PubMed Health⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 10565141

The interactive newborn bath.

D J Karl
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

The interactive newborn bath is an innovative approach to the traditional baby bath. This article uses a Brazelton infant behavior perspective to describe a rationale and methodology for this family-centered nursing intervention. It offers the nurse detailed suggestions for observing and identifying infant states, interpreting infant behavior, calming and orienting newborns, and eliciting selected reflexes. In this approach, the nurse assumes an expanded role as a facilitator of infant-parent interaction. The baby's behavior and the bath experience are used to engage parents with their newborns. The nurse encourages parents to observe, touch, and respond to their infants in order to develop more responsive parenting skills and better enjoy their babies. The interactive approach can enrich nursing practice by transforming the standard newborn bath into an exploratory adventure in which the nurse joins with parents to better understand and respond to the newest member of their family.

Explore related subjects

BathsCryingHumansInfant BehaviorInfant CareInfant, NewbornNeonatal ScreeningNeuropsychological TestsParent-Child RelationsParentsJournal Article

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

D J Karl. The interactive newborn bath.. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005721-199911000-00004

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2001

Skin cleansing in children.

The problems of skin cleansing in infants have been re-evaluated in recent years on the basis of current understanding of cosmetology and skin physiology. The anatomical and functional peculiarities of infant's skin have been elucidated and, although it is known that the barrier function is established at birth in normal babies, it remains the case that children's skin is more delicate and therefore more prone to irritant and allergic contact dermatitis. These factors determine the choice of cleansing agents during infancy. The products available on the market differ markedly. Indeed detergents, bath oils, bath powders, due to their distinctive properties, have different indications and different benefits. The method of cleansing the skin, i.e. bathing or showering, is also important. The frequency of cleansing should take into account the age and the degree of exposure to pollutants. For special purposes, e.g. impetiginized dermatoses, antiseptics such as potassium permanganate or chlorhexidine can be added to the water in appropriate concentrations. The ideal paediatric detergent should be very mild to avoid irritant dermatitis, and very simple to avoid allergic dermatitis.

Baths↗
PubMed2001

An investigation into the feasibility of comparing three management options (augmentation, conservative and water) for nulliparae with dystocia in the first stage of labour.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) examining the effect of three options (augmentation, conservative and water) for the management of dystocia in nulliparae. The main objectives were to explore the feasibility of trial procedures in the clinical environment, consent rates and acceptability of the management options to women, local incidence of dystocia in nulliparae and the size of the subsequent study. DESIGN: a two part study: a pilot, RCT with follow-up through to delivery with postnatal maternal surveys, and a case review of nulliparae with dystocia. SETTING: a large maternity unit in the South of England in May-July 1997 inclusive. PARTICIPANTS: nulliparae with dystocia in the first stage of labour who had an otherwise uncomplicated obstetric background. INTERVENTIONS: women in the pilot RCT received one of three management options: labouring in a waterbirth pool, conservative management or augmentation of labour, which is the standard management of women with dystocia condition in the Unit. FINDINGS: it is feasible to conduct an RCT of management of dystocia in the Unit. Seventy per cent (95% confidence interval 47% to 87%) of women approached agreed to participate. Conservative management was the least acceptable option to women and has been dropped from the subsequent trial. The audit provided some idea of possible differences in operative delivery and epidural rates depending on augmentation or not. A sample of 220 women should be large enough to detect moderate changes and will require a 2-year recruitment period. CONCLUSIONS: a subsequent trial is feasible and is now underway. It has the potential to provide information enabling women and practitioners to have a greater choice of care options in the presence of dystocia, or provide a good basis for an even larger trial.

Baths↗