Other Infant Care Skills

Learning Targets

• I can describe and demonstrate how to bathe, dress and diaper a baby.

• I can explain how to encourage good sleep habits

Bathing a Baby

• Bath – keeps baby clean & healthy

• Any time except right after feeding – Baby needs to sleep & digest the meal

• Newborn – sponge baths – Navel must heal

• After tub baths may be given

• Both require parent’s careful attention

Sponge Bath

• Supplies:– Two soft bath towels– A soft washcloth– A diaper– Mild soap– Baby shampoo

• Temp of the room – 70 – 80 degrees• Good work surface – soft bath towel –

baby’s safety and comfort

Sponge Baths

• Convenient to put water in a basin• Test water with elbow, water = lukewarm• Remove baby’s clothes – place on towel• Lay another towel on baby’s body• Begin washing the baby’s face w/clear, clean

water, while supporting baby with the other hand

• Pat baby’s face dry• Skin = tender – no rub

Sponge Baths

• Wash the rest of the body with soap & water, one area at a time

• Rinse thoroughly• Pay attention to skin creases• Separate, wash & rinsed, dried thoroughly• Not necessary to clean inside the baby’s

mouth, ears, eyes or nose– Nature takes care of it

• Never use a cotton swab

Sponge Baths

• Wash baby’s scalp once to twice a week with a tear-free baby soap or baby shampoo

• Other day wipe with clear water – pat dry

• Cradle cap – a skin condition in which the scalp develops patches of yellowish, crusty scales– Treatment – apply baby oil at night, in the morning

gently loosen the scales, wash

• Lotion & powder afterwards

• Powder – shake into your hands, not on baby

Tub Baths

• Navel has healed = baby can be bathed in a tub• “tub” – large dishpan or special baby tub• 6 – 7 months regular tub• Gather all supplies & equipment first• Place rubber mat or towel in bottom of tub• Add 2 – 3” of lukewarm water• Most older babies enjoys baths• Splash water, play with floating toys• Safety is still key

Read Safety in the Tub

• Page 281

• Complete questions 1 & 2

Dressing a Newborn

• Clothing needs – minimal

• Sleeper – one-piece stretchy garment with feet

• Cotton undershirt & gown

• Hot weather – diaper & short sleeve shirt

• When taking babies outdoor in cooler weather – add warm outer garments & blankets

• Socks & booties – not necessary

Dressing an Older Baby

• More durable clothing – allowing for movement• Legs that snap open – easy diaper change • Soft, cotton shirts• Sleepers that keep baby covered – blankets are

kicked off • Shoes – not necessary until they walk outdoors• Physicians – best way to learn to walk – barefoot • Socks – nonskid

Dressing Tips

• Time for extra kissed and hugs

• Good time for songs, simple rhymes or naming the parts of the body or articles of clothing

• Older children can help, babies not so much

• Usually distracting the baby with a toy or song will make dressing easier

Choosing Clothes

• Simple & comfortable

• Knit fabrics

• Provide ease of movement for the baby & ease of care for parents

• Flame retardant

• Size = weight & age (weight more reliable)

• Babies grow out of clothes fast

Read Dressing a Baby page 284 - 285

• Practice dressing a baby using the doll at your table

• For tomorrow’s class, try to find a picture of an infant.

Cloth vs Disposable diapers

• Which one would you choose or have chosen to diaper your baby with?

• Why?

Diapering a Baby

• Diaper = most essential part of a baby’s wardrobe

• Cloth - least expensive if laundry facilities are available, traditional

• Disposable – throwaway convenience, expensive, environmental problems

• Commercial diaper service – about same price as disposable, clean cloth diapers

Diapering a Baby

• very young = 12-15 diapers a day

• Older babies – fewer diaper changes & more likely to let you know when

• Keep diapering supplies near changing area

How to diaper

• Never safe to leave baby alone on raised surface

• Always keep one hand firmly on baby

• Need to leave take baby with you

How to diaper• Remove diaper and clean baby

– Baby wipes

– powder

• Put on fresh diaper– Hold baby’s ankles and lift body enough to slide diaper under

– Make sure adhesive tabs are under the baby

– Bring diaper up between the baby’s legs

– Use tabs to fasten diaper

• Dispose of used supplies – Cleanliness = IMPORTANT

– Dispose of all supplies

– Roll a diaper up and place it in a covered trashcan

– Be sure to wash hands with soap & water

Diaper Rash• Diaper rash – patches of rough, irritated skin in the

diaper area– May include painful raw sores– Sensitivity to diapers – Caused by bacteria in diapers

• Treatment for mild case:– Change diapers for frequently & clean baby thoroughly after

bowel movement– Use a product with zinc oxide & cod liver oil – protects &

helps heal faster– Expose diaper area to air as much as possible– If it gets worse, ask a pediatrician for help

Sleep

• Needed in order to grow & develop• Amount of time decreases considerably during

the 1st year– Newborn = 12-20 hours/day– 1 yr old – only 2-3 sleep periods a day including naps

• Amount – depends on individual baby• Active baby more sleep than inactive baby, plus

more food• Need more sleep on some days than others

Preparation forSleep

• Putting baby to bed = relaxed & pleasant experience for both you & baby

• Begin by washing baby’s face, hands and by changing diaper & clothes

• Certain clothing remind the baby time to sleep• Rocking or singing a soothing lullaby

– Comforting & relaxing

• Keep manner calm & unhurried – baby will pick up on feeling & may not go to sleep

Recall…

• Recall lullabies that were sung to you or have heard caregivers sing to babies

Preparation forSleep

• Baby = safe bed

• Avoid pillows, fluffy blankets & bumper pads & stuffed toys

– Risk of suffocation

• Infant too young to roll over – place on back to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

• Try to follow same routine– Comfort in ritual

• Sleep should never be brought on by the used of drugs or sleep mediation – See a pediatrician if needed

Crying to Sleep• Should you attend to a crying baby??

• Some experts argue you should let them “cry it out” so that they can learn to settle themselves

• Others say that it hurts the child emotionally– Offer any kind of comfort

• Middle ground – let the baby cry for 2-3 minutes while you are outside the room to see if the baby settles down

• If not, then go in and comfort the child

Bedtime Problems • Babies – especially active ones – often become

restless while they sleep– Wake partially & suck fingers, cry out or rock the crib

• If you respond, your presence may become a necessary part of the baby’s pattern for getting back to sleep

• Infants need to learn to return to sleep on their own• Provide care for a baby who needs feeding or a

diaper change• Restlessness into crying – needs your attention

Complete Questions 1-7 page 289

• Restate the question.

Complete Questions

• Page 292 #1-9