Secure Infant Bathing: Methods for Nigerian Households
Bath time is not just a routine for cleaning, but a crucial bonding moment for parents in Nigeria. However, it's essential to ensure that the bathing experience is safe and comfortable for the baby. Here are some recommended practices for safe baby bathing, considering diverse environmental factors and cultural considerations.
Positioning the Baby Safely
Newborns should be bathed in a sitting position to prevent water from entering the nose and ears, avoiding choking or infection risks. When cleaning the ears, water should be wiped off immediately to prevent drainage into the ear canal.
Water Temperature
Use warm water that is comfortable for the baby but not hot—neither boiling nor too cold. You can test the temperature by dipping your elbow into the water. If it feels comfortable, it should be suitable for the baby.
Delayed Bathing
It is recommended to delay the first bath for about 24 hours after birth to help maintain the newborn's thermal stability and encourage skin-to-skin contact and initiation of breastfeeding.
Cultural Practice of Using Palm Oil
In Nigeria, it is a common cultural practice to bathe newborns with palm oil as it is believed to prevent body odour and may provide moisturizing benefits.
Hygiene and Cleanliness
Ensure all bathing instruments are clean to prevent infections. New or boiled instruments are preferable for cord care and bathing.
Gentle Handling and Massage
After bathing, gently massage the baby to comfort and promote bonding.
Additional Advice
Adapting bath timing to the family's routine and ensuring supervision at all times are crucial for maximizing safety, especially when siblings bathe together. Bathing does not need to be daily; a quick wipe down is acceptable on busy days.
Drying and Dressing the Baby
Each aspect of safe baby bathing, such as drying and dressing the baby post-bath, is crucial for a comfortable and protected experience. Ensuring the baby is dressed in clean clothes and put on a fresh diaper after bathing is essential.
Bath Toys and Equipment
Bath toys can pose hazards; be cautious with toys that have small parts or can be easily swallowed. Regularly cleaning and drying all bath equipment is necessary to prevent bacteria growth.
These practices, combining WHO recommendations on delayed bathing and thermal care with Nigerian cultural approaches, help ensure the safe and effective care of newborn babies during bath time. The blog will also discuss practical methods for maintaining hygiene during baby bathing, emphasizing the importance of cleanliness while handling newborns or infants.
[1] World Health Organization (2018). Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative: Care of the healthy newborn. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241515342 [2] UNICEF (2018). Care for Health: Baby Care. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/nutrition/care-for-health-baby-care [3] Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (2017). Guidelines for the Management of the Newborn in Nigeria. Retrieved from https://www.nimm.gov.ng/images/stories/documents/Guidelines_for_the_Management_of_the_Newborn_in_Nigeria_2017.pdf [4] World Health Organization (2018). Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative: Skin-to-skin contact. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241515342 [5] Oyedele, S. A., & Oyedele, A. O. (2014). The cultural beliefs and practices of newborn care in Nigeria. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 60(1), 13-19. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jmwh.12316
- Rather than simply a cleaning routine, bath time serves as a crucial bonding moment for parents and children in Nigeria.
- To maintain safety and comfort, newborns should be positioned sitting during bath time to prevent water entering their nose and ears.
- It's essential to test the water temperature before bathing the baby, ensuring it's neither too hot nor too cold—similar to what feels comfortable when tested with an elbow.
- Delaying the first bath for 24 hours after birth is recommended to preserve the newborn's thermal stability and encourage skin-to-skin contact, with a focus on breastfeeding.
- In Nigerian culture, palm oil is commonly used during baby bathing, believed to prevent body odor and provide moisturizing benefits.
- Hygiene and cleanliness are of utmost importance when bathing children, with clean bathing instruments and bath equipment being essential to prevent infections.
