1. Preparing for OB Clinicals: Initial Newborn Bath/Shampoo

2. Preparation
Ensure infant is warm enough. Minimum axillary temp F or 36.6 C
Ensure you have all your supplies
Fill a wash basin with warm water; check temp. on your inner forearm
Undress the infant. Start with the eyes. Use no soap on the face. Use one corner of the wash cloth to wipe one eye; a different corner to wipe the other eye. Gently continue washing the face
Lather a wash cloth with baby shampoo. Wash the ears and neck; continue to wash the upper torso and arms. Discard cloth and lather another

3. Next, wash the legs and genital area. Discard cloth and lather another
Placing a hand on the chest, carefully turn the infant over and wash the backside of the infant, starting at the neck/shoulders and work your way down
Return the infant to a supine position and cover with a blanket
Discard soapy water and replace with clean warm water. Rinse the infant by repeating the entire process in the same order. Dry the infant fully
Remove all wet linen from under and around the infant. Replace with clean dry linen. Place a clean diaper on the infant
Swaddle the infant in a clean blanket and bring the infant to the sink for the shampoo

4. Drying the Infant

5. Remember…
Perform the bath/shampoo quickly so infant does not get cold; cold stress could result
Cover the infant as required during the bath
If it is the first bath, wear gloves
Infant may have waxy vernix in skin creases/ folds. Be gentle when cleaning in these areas

6. Shampoo
Turn on water and regulate temperature by testing on inner forearm
Carefully wet the infant’s head being sure that no water enters the ears
Squeeze some shampoo onto the hair and shampoo the hair using the infant scrub brush
Rinse and repeat. Towel dry the hair. Comb the hair using an infant comb
Return infant to warmer (or as per agency); remove wet towel; replace temp. sensor
Check axillary temperature as instructed
Once warmed, apply T-shirt, hat and swaddle in two warmed clean, dry blankets. Place in bassinette

7. Using a Infant Scrub Brush