Other Infant Care Skills

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: • 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 • 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 = 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

22. 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

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

24. 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

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