Heather...

I don't know the answer to these questions other than to say I wish we would
just leave them alone and let them bathe at home.  Personally, I would
venture to say that baths are mainly for staff convenience ONLY.  They
really serve NO purpose otherwise.  Parents do ask (a LOT), "When are you
going to wash the baby?" but I believe that it's because they haven't been
taught that it's not necessary.  Many women are afraid of their own bodily
fluids and find it yucky that their babies are not bathed.  I explain to
them why these dried fluids are good for babies and most understand.  But
the problem is that it is a unit standard to do a bath and we must document
that it's been done.  A parent must actually state their refusal in order
for us to get away with not doing one.  I fear I will ruffle too many
feathers if I start suggesting that to families.  It's a hard line to walk.

But I do agree with you SO much.

Christina Harris, RN
Federal Way, WA

On Sun, May 22, 2011 at 9:27 AM, heather <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> What is the evidence for bathing babies in hospital at all?...
>
> Can't the mothers bath the babies at home?
>
> Is there really an infection risk if the babies are left unbathed?...
>
> So - my question is: why bath new babies at all? Now we know more than ever
> the importance of skin to skin, of keeping mothers and babies together, and
> the way all the senses are stimulated, why not just leave them in all their
> birthy glory?!
>
> Heather Welford Neil
> NCT bfc, tutor, UK
> --
> http://www.heatherwelford.co.uk
>
> http://heatherwelford.posterous.com

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