Exploring Newborn Bathing Practices among Mothers in the Postpartum Period

Authors : Serpil Boran, İlknur Kahriman, Sibel Doğan Polat

Pages : 239-254

View : 63 | Download : 77

Publication Date : 2024-08-25

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study aims to assess the practices of mothers with newborn babies concerning newborn bathing and determine its correlation with socio-demographic variables. This descriptive research was conducted with a study population comprising 215 mothers with newborns admitted to the gynecology and obstetrics service of a training and research hospital between December 2022 and May 2023. Data for the study were gathered through a socio-demographic information form concerning the mother and newborn, along with a questionnaire focusing on information and practices related to newborn bathing. In the study, 65.6% of the participating mothers were aged 30 and below, and 81.4% possessed a university or higher education. A notable 29.8% of the mothers adhered to a traditional practice during their newborn\'s first bath, with the majority (17.7%) preferring washing with salt water. As for bathing practices, 81.4% of the mothers opted for the newborn\'s first bath to be a whole-body bath, and 62.3% initiated bathing after the umbilical cord stump had fallen off. Additionally, 70.2% of the mothers had received prior information about newborn bathing, primarily from health personnel (31.6%). The mothers\' knowledge and practices regarding newborn bathing were found to be insufficient, with an observed improvement in accuracy as their age and education levels increased. Offering planned education to mothers both before and after childbirth can significantly contribute to the establishment of safe bathing environments.
Keywords : Anneler, Banyo, Bebek, Doğum Sonrası, Uygulama

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