Released 11 August 2022
Request:
- What antenatal advice does the trust routinely give to mothers about infant skincare including the bathing of babies?
- What postpartum advice does the trust routinely give to mothers about infant skincare including the bathing of babies?
Information disclosed:
Information relevant to the Royal Sussex County and Princess Royal Hospitals:
In these hospitals, Trust staff do not provide documentary information regarding skincare and bathing of newborn babies in either the ante- or post-natal period. However, parents are given verbal advice recommending that babies should not be bathed for the first 7 – 10 days after birth, and then only with plain water. Parents are also referred to the NHS website for further guidance: Washing and bathing your baby – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
For information relevant to St. Richard’s and Worthing hospitals:
Please refer to the attached document
Bathing and washing your baby (143kB)
The information contained within the document is relevant to advice given to parents at both the ante- and post-natal periods.