How to Give Your Child a Bath When They Have a Broken Arm
If your child suffers a broken arm, a physician will set it with a cast to promote healing. During the time your child must wear the cast, you will have specific guidelines for care of your youngster and the cast. Traditional casts contain plaster or fiberglass materials, and they must remain dry. Newer casts contain waterproof materials, which frees to you get them wet without concern. When it̵7;s time for bathing, the method you use will depend on the type of cast on your child̵7;s arm.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Rubber band
- Plastic bag
- Duct tape
- Blow dryer
- Quart-size container
Instructions
Sponge Bath
Moisten a washcloth with water and add a small amount of soap to the washcloth to sponge bathe your child. Children under age 5 with a cast should receive sponge baths, advises the website of Children̵7;s Hospital Colorado. Wash your child̵7;s skin gently with the soapy washcloth wherever it needs cleaning. As you wash, take care not to drip water on the cast. Rinse the soap off the washcloth and use it to wipe the soap off your child̵7;s skin. Dry your child̵7;s skin gently to finish. Standard Bathing with Traditional Cast
Fold a washcloth in half and wrap it around the top edge of your youngster̵7;s cast to absorb any accidental water leaks. Hold the washcloth in place with a rubber band. Place a plastic bag onto your child̵7;s arm that is large enough to cover your child̵7;s cast, extending past it by about 3 inches. Gather the bag snugly around your child̵7;s arm and tape it into place with duct tape. Inspect the tape job carefully to ensure no leaks exist where water could seep in and get the cast wet. Give your child a bath with the cast protected in the bag, but do not submerge the cast in water. Strive to keep the covered cast out of direct contact with water as much as possible. Remove the bag and the washcloth after the bath and check the cast for water. If you find moistness, watch it carefully to ensure that you did not damage the cast. You might direct cool air of a blow dryer onto wet areas if the dampness is not excessive, suggests the website of Nationwide Children̵7;s Hospital. Care of Waterproof Cast
Bathe your child in normal fashion if she has a waterproof cast on her arm. You can submerge your child̵7;s cast in the bath water without worry, according to experts with Orthopaedic Specialists of North Carolina. Wash your child̵7;s cast during the bath, also, to keep it clean. Fill a quart-size container with warm, soapy water and slowly pour the water between your child̵7;s arm and the cast to wash it. Follow this procedure by running plain water through the cast. Dry your child̵7;s arm and cast as well as possible after the bath. To facilitate effective drying of your youngster̵7;s arm inside the cast, hold your child̵7;s arm down over the bathtub or sink and allow excess water to drain out of the cast. Keep your child̵7;s arm in this position until the cast stops dripping.
