Evidence Based Birth®

EBB 335 - Evidence on Newborn Baths and Screening for Low Blood Sugars

Nov 13, 2024
Dive into the latest insights on newborn care! Discover the benefits of delaying a baby's first bath and learn about effective comfort techniques like skin-to-skin care and pacifiers. Explore the importance of screening for low blood sugar and its management strategies, including dextrose gel. This discussion highlights how parental involvement can enhance infant comfort during procedures. You'll finish with a newfound appreciation for the evidence behind these essential practices in newborn care!
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ADVICE

Delay First Bath And Use Immersion

  • Prefer immersion tub baths over sponge baths and delay the first bath at least 6–24 hours (WHO: 24 hours).
  • Immersion baths reduce hypothermia, lower stress, and don't raise cord infection risk.
ADVICE

Involve Parents To Improve Outcomes

  • Hospitals that switched to parent-performed 24-hour tub baths saw fewer hypothermia and low blood sugar cases.
  • Invite parents to participate by offering to gather supplies and do the bath together.
INSIGHT

Vernix May Support Bonding And Breastfeeding

  • Keeping vernix and delaying bathing may aid breastfeeding and bonding via retained pheromones and familiar amniotic scent.
  • This could partially explain higher exclusive breastfeeding when baths are delayed.
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