Timing of the newborn first bath: a replication.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects on thermoregulation of bathing a healthy newborn within the first hour of life compared to bathing four to six hours after birth.


METHODS
Quasi-experimental.


METHODS
Newborn nursery of a 30-bed obstetric unit in an urban university hospital.


METHODS
Fifty-one healthy term newborns with a minimum axillary temperature of 36.5 degrees C (97.7 degrees F).


METHODS
Newborns in an experimental group were bathed within the first hour of birth; those in a control group were bathed at the standard four to six hours of age.


METHODS
Axillary temperatures were measured before the bath, immediately after the bath, one hour later, and two hours later.


RESULTS
Axillary temperatures as measured at four different times did not differ significantly between infants bathed within one hour of birth and those bathed four to six hours after birth.


CONCLUSIONS
A flexible bathing time is recommended according to the characteristics and stability of the newborn and to family desires.
Behring
Anne
A
Women's and Infants Division, University of Colorado Hospital, Denver 80262, USA. anne.behring@uhcolorado.edu
Vezeau
Toni M
TM
Fink
Regina
R
D001494:Baths; D001831:Body Temperature; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods*; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States