To keep your baby clean before the umbilical cord falls, give sponge baths 2-3 times a week. Even during fever, experts recommend sponge baths. Fever can be the body's defense against bacteria, and it's often not necessary to identify the cause. Learn about giving lukewarm sponge baths to newborns.
What Is A Spongebath?
- A sponge bath is the traditional first bath for a newborn.
- A sponge bath involves cleaning all of the infant's body parts while the baby is resting on a towel instead of in a tub.
- This bath is for babies with umb-cords, stitches, bandages, or who are weak and sensitive.
- When a newborn has a fever, a 'tepid (lukewarm) sponge bath' may be offered to bring down the temperature.
How Does Sponge Bath Help Child Fever?
- This bath is for babies with umb-cords, stitches, bandages, or who are weak and sensitive.
- Sponge baths in tepid water can bring down a fever by increasing blood flow to the skin's surface, which causes the superficial blood vessels to dilate and release heat.
How To Give Sponge Bath?
Important Consideration When Giving A Sponge Bath To A Child Having Fever
- If a child has a fever of 104°F (40°C) or higher, give them doctor prescribed medicine before a sponge bath
- Keep the child at room temperature for 30 minutes before checking their temperature
- Check if their temperature drops below 104°F (40°C) after treatment
- If the fever continues at or above 104°F (40°C) and the child feels hot, consider giving them a sponge bath.
A sponge bath will result from following these directions.-
- Use lukewarm water/normal tap water
- Avoid ice or ice cool water
- Use a sponge for at least 20 minutes, preferably 30.
- Stop if the kid begins to shake.
- No need to give another sponge wash if your child does not like the first one or if they do not appear to be feeling better afterward.
What Are The Benefits Of Sponge Bath?
- The soothing effects of a sponge bath in lukewarm water can help put your youngster at peace.
- The evaporation of water from the skin has a cooling effect, which can help reduce a person's temperature.
However, you should not use cold water because your baby's temperature may rise due to shivering.
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