A Survey of Bath Time Incidents Experienced by Mothers and Families of Children Aged 18 Months

Purpose: The potential dangers of infant bathing have an effect not only on the infant’s body and life but also on the formation of emotional bonds in the parent-child relationship. This study will explore actual dangers experienced by mothers and families. Method: We distributed an anonymous, self-reported questionnaire at infants’ 18-month health checkup, which was collected via postal service. 304 valid responses were received and formed our sample data. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed for each category surveyed. Inferential statistics were used to compare the dangerous incidents experienced with regard to differences between primipara/multipara and the presence/absence of guidance concerning such incidents. This study was approved by the research ethics committees of the affiliated university. Results: 70% of mothers and families experienced incidents while bathing their infants, with the most common incidents consisting of, in order of frequency, near immersion of the face, actual immersion of the face, and falling into the bath. The most common situations reported when incidents occurred were bathing the infant by oneself, the infant moving unexpectedly, or taking care of other children, in that order. Approximately 70% of mothers and families had not received instruction on the potential dangers or how to prevent them. Conclusion: This study has elucidated the dangerous situations experienced in the course of bathing infants in the home and the measures taken to prevent such situations. Instructive tools are needed which can be used to easily provide mothers and families with correct information.