Investigation of the effects of touching bathing for cesarean delivered newborn

Objective To investigate the effects of touching bathing for cesarean delivered newborns. Methods 404 cesarean delivered newborns were divided into two groups. Newborns in Group 1 were bathed with routine method. Newborns in Group 2 were bathed with touching method, namely, touching was given to the newborns before bathing and during bathing. The differenees of the appearing rates of crying and cuddling reflex before and during bathing were compared between the two group. Results The appearing rates of crying and cuddling reflex before bathing in Group 2 were significantly lower than Group 1 from the third day to the fifth day after birth ( P < 0. 05 ). The appearing rates of crying and cuddling reflex during bathing in Group 2 weresignificantly lower than Group 1 from the second day to the fifth day after birth (P<0.01). Conclusions Compared with the routine bathing method, the touching bathing method was more easily to be endured by newborns. Key words: Bathing;  Newborn;  Crying;  Cuddling reflex