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Key Distinctions between Neonatal Hydrotherapy and Therapeutic Bathing for Infants

Andrea Salzman, MS, PT

November 1, 2024

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Question

What are the primary differences between neonatal hydrotherapy and therapeutic bathing?

Answer

The primary differences between neonatal hydrotherapy and therapeutic bathing lie in their purposes and execution. Therapeutic bathing, often referred to as swaddled bathing, primarily aims to clean, handle, and calm the infant without causing physical stress or temperature variations. It involves immersing the swaddled infant in warm water and gently washing each limb while keeping the rest of the body swaddled to maintain warmth and comfort. This process typically lasts between four to eight minutes and is usually conducted by nursing personnel. On the other hand, neonatal hydrotherapy, performed by physical or occupational therapists, focuses on improving physiological functions such as sleep, feeding behaviors, weight gain, and reducing pain. It involves more extensive and controlled movements in a larger tub to maximize the therapeutic benefits of water.

This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course "Neonatal Hydrotherapy and Therapeutic Bathing in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit," presented by Andrea Salzman, MS, PT.

 

 


andrea salzman

Andrea Salzman, MS, PT

Andrea Salzman, MS, PT graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Master’s degree in physical therapy. She has over 30 years of experience with hands-on care and training, specializing in geriatrics, patient motivation, aquatics, and musculoskeletal and balance disorders. She has presented 200 seminars, authored 300 PT articles, served as a PT-related journal editor, and was once featured on the cover of Physical Therapy magazine. Salzman has served as adjunct faculty at the College of St. Catherine’s (now St. Catherine’s University) for 8 years and as the Vice President of 10K Health, LLC, a temporary staffing agency, for a decade. She currently serves as the Director for Aquatic Therapy University and ATU Aquatic Therapy Seminars and has assisted hundreds of facilities during the start-up and training phases of their aquatic practice.

 


Related Courses

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