1. Other Infant Care Skills

2. Learning Targets
I can describe and demonstrate how to bathe, dress and diaper a baby.
I can explain how to encourage good sleep habits

3. 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

4. Sponge Bath Supplies: Temp of the room – 70 – 80 degrees
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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Read Safety in the Tub
Page 281
Complete questions 1 & 2

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. Cloth vs Disposable diapers
Which one would you choose or have chosen to diaper your baby with?
Why?

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. How to diaper Remove diaper and clean baby Put on fresh diaper
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

20. 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

21. Sleep Needed in order to grow & develop
Amount of time decreases considerably during the 1st year
Newborn = 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

22. Preparation for Sleep
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

23. Recall…
Recall lullabies that were sung to you or have heard caregivers sing to babies

24. Preparation for Sleep 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. Complete Questions 1-7 page 289
Restate the question.

28. Complete Questions
Page 292 #1-9