Infant Tub Bath Basic Concept: A Process of Cleansing or Bathing An Infant That Provides The Nurse A Chance To

Name: _____________________________________________ Section: ________
Instructor: ___________________________ ______________ Date of Lecture Demo: _____
Infant Tub Bath
Basic Concept: A process of cleansing or bathing an infant that provides the nurse a chance to
give hygiene, an opportunity to teach the mother on how to care her newborn, and also for the
nurse to observe infant’s behavior, alertness and muscular activity.
Objectives:
1. To cleanse the baby’s body from head-to-toe.
2. To promote comfort.
3. To assess the general condition of the infant.
Materials:
70% alcohol (depending on the agency policy or pediatrician’s order)
Baby shampoo
Clean clothes
Cotton balls/ Cotton pads
Disposable diaper/ Cloth diaper
Kidney basins
Neutral or hypoallergenic soap
Plastic tub or clean sink
Powder, lotion or cream (mother’s preference)
Pails and small dipper (if necessary)
Soft towels
Tape measure
Thermometer
Warm water (37.7ºC or 100ºF, should not exceed)
Washcloth
Weighing Scale
Baby clothes pin/ plaster (modification)
Preparation:
1. Review medical record and plan of care.
2. Bathing should take place before feeding.
3. Consider culture and beliefs of mother or the family.
4. Prepare and gather materials or supplies needed.
5. Wash the sink or tub with disinfectant cleaner. Then, line the sink or tub with a bath towel.
6. Place a towel on the counter next to the sink or tub.
7. Arrange materials in order of use.
8. Ensure baby’s safety.
9. Eliminate air draft or ensure that the environment is warm.
10. Wash hands.
11. Fill the tub with warm water and this will be warm to the touch of the elbow.
12. Bring the infant to the workplace.
13. Undress the infant.
PROCEDURE RATIONALE
1. Assess the infant.
a. Weigh infant and record weight.
b. Take axillary temperature.
c. Observe the respiratory rate, depth and ease
of respiration.
d. Determine the other anthropometric
measurements such as the height, head, chest
and mid-arm circumference.
2. Continue to assess and observe the infant as
you perform the procedure.
3. Wrap him/ her in a blanket or towel.
a. When wrapping the baby, place blanket or
towel in a flat surface diagonally. Place baby at
the center, fold the lower corner of the blanket
over the legs and feet.
b. Fold the two side corners under the arms and
over the chest.
4. Using a cotton ball or wash cloth moistened
with water and squeezed out, clean/ wipe eyes
gently from inside corner outward.
5. Clean the nose, face and ears using
washcloth. Using the different sides of clean
washcloth.
6. Wash infant’s head, use a neutral soap or
baby shampoo.
a. To wash the hair/ head, hold the infant in a
football hold or manner.
a.1. Support the baby’s head on the palm of
your left hand.
a.2. The baby’s back will be supported along
your left forearm.
a.3. The hips will be pressed against your waist
by your left elbow.
You may use either arm as long as you support
the head and back.
b. Wash infant’s head or hair in a gentle
circular motion.
7. Dry the infant’s head with a towel carefully.
8. Unwrap the infant and gently place him on
the tub lined with towel.
9. One hand should always be holding the
baby.
10. Tilt head back to cleanse the neck using the
washcloth.
11. Wash and soap the baby’s chest, abdomen,
arms, armpit, back and lower extremities. Pay
attention to creases or folds.
12. Refill the basin or tub with clean, clear, and
warm water, then rinse thoroughly.
13. Clean the genitalia.
a. If the infant is female, wash perineal area
from front to back.
b. Cleanse penis without retracting it.
c. Circumcision area, just keep area clean, you
may apply petrolatum gauze. Observe for
bleeding.
14. Lift the infant out of the tub and dry
thoroughly.
15. Do cord care.
a. Inspect umbilical cord.
b. Check area for bleeding or foul odor.
c. A drying agent such as 70% alcohol may be
used. Check agency policy and physician’s
order.
d. Do not cover with diaper.
16. You may apply powder, lotion or cream to
the infant whichever the mother prefers.
17. Diaper and dress the infant.
18. Place infant in the crib or allow mother to
hold the baby.
19. Clean and return equipment used to their
proper place.
20. Clean the area.
21. Wash hands.
22. Document care rendered and observations/
assessments.
1. Nettina, Sandra M. (2010). Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice, 9th ed.

2. McKinney, et.al. (2012). Maternal-Child Nursing, 4th ed.
3. www.babycenter.com

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Name: _____________________________________ Section:

Instructor: _________________ Date of Lecture Demo: _

Infant Tub Bath

1. Nettina, Sandra M. (2010). Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice, 9th ed.

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