Impact on delayed newborn bathing on exclusive breastfeeding rates,glucose and temperature stability,and weight loss

Objective

Determine impact delayed newborn bathing for 24 hours has on exclusive breastfeeding rates, temperature and glucose stability, and percentage of weight loss and, to determine if there was a difference in the nurses’ knowledge and comfort levels regarding delayed bathing pre and post implementation.

Design

Pre-post retrospective chart review and, pre-post survey.

Setting

Midwestern health system with three hospitals that has a combined average delivery rate of 2100 births.

Participants

330 charts were reviewed pre-implementation, 330 charts were reviewed post-implementation, and 100 RNs were asked to participate in the pre and post-survey.

Methods

Newborn baths were delayed 24 hours after birth unless contraindicated by a blood borne pathogen or upon parental requests.

Results

Post-intervention there was a significant decrease in the number of blood glucose level checks (p?=?.002) and the amount of blood glucose levels equal or below 45 (p?=?.001). There was a trend in decreased weight loss post-intervention, but was not significant (p?=?.227). Cold stress significantly decreased (p?<?.001) post-intervention. Exclusive breastfeeding rates did not change. Nurses’ perception of comfort and knowledge level increased post-intervention.

Conclusion

Delaying an infant's bath until 24 hours after birth seems to have positive impact on the infant's temperature regulation as well as glucose stability.