Marian,
If you don't have a copy already, run, don't walk to ILCA's website and
order one. I think the title is Evidence for the Ten Steps. This document
is INVALUABLE in getting hospital [practices changed. It goes thru each of
the 10 Steps, states the rationale for it, and cites about a million studies
to back it up. This book is about $20 and will help you get a lot done
besides skin-to-skin and breastfeeding prior to a bath!
Martha Johnson RN IBCLC
Eugene Oregon
-----Original Message-----
From: Marian Rigney [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, July 09, 2002 4:44 AM
Subject: bathing babies in birth suite
Hi all,
The issue of bathing babies in birth suite has been raised in our hospital.
It has been standard practice to bath them following the first breast feed
in birth suite prior to transfer to the postnatal ward. However, if the
first breast feed is not successful, they are then bathed regardless, prior
to transfer. I work in SCN and from time to time have to admit babies
(probably needlessly if they hadn't had such a quick bath) because they are
too cold. Sometimes the smaller and more premature babies (35-36 weeks)
develop an oxygen requirement following this bath--they may not have been
physiologically stable enough for this intervention. These occurrences, of
course, adversely affect the breastfeeding relationship, especially if they
haven't successfully breast fed yet.
I managed to convince a doctor yesterday that it was more appropriate to
transfer a marginally cold, post caesar baby to the ward with mother and
have skin to skin contact with warmed wraps over both them and breastfeed
rather than an overhead heater and formula in SCN. He was happy with this as
long as the temperature was closely monitored by the ward staff. I think the
time is ripe to generate change but, when asked for referenced information
for why we should not bath babies too quickly, I have stuggled to find the
references I need (particularly in relation to breastfeeding ). I cannot
find where I have read the information in the past. There are a number of
midvives working in birth suite, as well as us working in SCN, who would
love to see the policy changed, but we need to amass research based
information first to support a change in policy. Does anybody have
references, particularly why keeping the natural smell of the liquor on the
skin (an avoiding scented soaps and solutions), is so important,
particularly prior to the first feed and why it is beneficial to delay the
first bath even till the next day or so. Any references would be greatly
appreciated.
Marian Rigney RN and IBCLC candidate
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