A bath time routine can reduce stress for mothers and babies, especially when using a gently fragranced, foaming wash

 
Behavioral and neurohormonal responses of mothers and their children during two bath conditions

Every day bath routines are ideal opportunities to interact with babies through touch and their multiple senses.^1-5

In addition, research has shown that these types of interaction, in association with tactile stimuli, decrease salivary cortisol levels. This study measured whether a baby’s bath can influence mother/baby behavior and mother’s and baby’s salivary cortisol responses.⁶

Method⁶

Participants in this study were 19 healthy mothers and their babies between 6 and 18 months old. Participants were divided into two bathing groups: baths with water only (the control group) and baths with water and a scented bath product* (the experimental group). Two home visits for each mother-baby dyad were conducted.

• Results were measured based on the Nursing Child Assessment Teaching Scale (NCATS), which allows observation and ratings of child-caregiver interactions
• Behavioral cues were observed, such as:
  • Subtle engagement cues (eye widening, facial brightening, hands opening)
  • Potent engagement cues (facial gaze or focus, mutual gaze, smile)
  • Subtle disengagement cues (hiccough, facial grimace, eyes clinched)
  • Potent disengagement cues (crying, whining, fussing)

Conclusions⁶

Research demonstrates that bath time routines can positively impact a baby's growth and development. In this study, it was confirmed that a bath reduces stress for mothers and their baby. A scented bath product may enhance this experience as well. When mothers added the JOHNSON’S® test product to the bath, higher after-bath maternal NCATS scores and lower babies’ after-bath cortisol levels were observed. Gently fragranced bath products should be used to further relieve stress and enhance bonding for mother and baby.^4-8

*JOHNSON'S® HEAD-TO-TOE® with 0.3% Jubbly Bubbly fragrance.

JOHNSON’S® HEAD-TO-TOE is trademarked as JOHNSON’S® TOP-TO-TOE in India. Please refer to our product page to find out more.

Reference:

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2. Field T, Field T, Cullen C, et al. Lavender bath oil reduces stress and crying and enhances sleep in very young infants. Early Hum Dev. 2008;84(6):399-401
3. Dehaene-Lambertz G, Montavont A, Jobert A, et al. Language or music, mother or Mozart? Structural and environmental influences on infants' language networks. Brain Lang. 2010;114(2):53-65.
4. Sullivan RM, Taborsky-Barba S, Mendoza R, et al. Olfactory classical conditioning in neonates. Pediatrics. 1991;87(4):511-518.
5. Mindell JA, Telofski LS, Wiegand B, et al. A nightly bedtime routine: impact on sleep in young children and maternal mood. Sleep. 2009;32(5):599-606.
6. White-Traut R, Watanabe K, Wiegand B, et al. Behavioral and neurohormonal responses of mothers and their children during two bath conditions. Poster presented at: University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing. 2014; Chicago, IL.
7. Blume-Peytavi U, Cork MJ, Faergemann J, et al. Bathing and cleansing in newborns from day 1 to the first year of life: recommendations from a European round table meeting. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2009;23(7):751-759.
8. Anderzén-Carlsson A, Lamy ZC, Tingvall M, et al. Parental experiences of providing skin-to-skin care to their newborn infant—part 2: a qualitative meta-synthesis. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2014;9:24907.