Infant Journal
Browse articlesSwaddle bathing: an improved experience for preterm infants
Swaddle bathing for preterm infants was introduced in a level three neonatal unit in Scotland. The effects on the babies’ temperatures and stress levels were assessed. Staff and parents provided feedback/testimonials on their experiences with swaddle bathing. This initiative is no longer exclusive to preterm neonates; any neonate that is deemed medically stable can be given a swaddle bath.
Michelle Brooks
Advanced Specialist Nurse – Neonatal Practice Education
michelle.brooks@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
Gill Currie
Advanced Practitioner Neonatal Occupational Therapist
Neonatal Unit, University Hospital Wishaw, Scotland
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Keywords
swaddle bathing; tub bathing; developmentally supportive care; family-centred care; infant stress
Key points
- Swaddle bathing has become standard practice in the neonatal unit at University Hospital Wishaw.
- Babies cry less during bathing and appear relaxed; parents, babies and staff enjoy the experience.
- No babies have experienced any undesirable effects, including hypothermia.
Also published in Infant:
VOLUME 17/ISSUE 2, MARCH 2021
Receiving a lifelong diagnosis at birth can be viewed as the starting block from which a life is built and lived. We present the case of a preterm neonate born with a severe skeletal dysplasia in an endeavour to understand the challenges facing the different aspects of care provision, management and treatment in the special care baby unit at Calderdale Royal Hospital. Encompassing the experiences of the staff/parent relationship, we hope to initiate discussion about how best to accommodate such babies on the unit and hypothesise approaches to improving care to stand the family in good stead for their lifelong journey.
