The effect of bath bundle application on comfort level and skin moisture of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care unit

Bathing is a practice that affects comfort and creates a stress response in preterm babies. It is important to make bathing less stressful and comfortable. The study was conducted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to examine the effect of bath care package application on the comfort level and skin moisture of preterm babies. The study was conducted between November 2024 and April 2025 in a semi-experimental type with a control group. The sample of the study consisted of 64 preterm babies. SPSS 25.0 statistical package program was used in the analysis of the data obtained from the study. Introductory Information Form, Newborn Comfort Scale, Follow-up Form were used in data collection. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of demographic characteristics of the preterm infants included in the study. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the average scores on the Newborn Comfort Behaviour Scale at 15 and 30 minutes after the bath application in the bath care package and control groups (p>0,05). A significant decrease in skin moisture was observed at 30 minutes in the bathing care package group compared to before the application. In the control group, a significant decrease in skin moisture was observed at 15 minutes compared to before the application (p<0,05). According to intra-group comparisons, a significant decrease in body temperature was observed in the control group at 15 minutes compared to before the application (p<0,05). As a result of this study, it was observed that the bath care package is effective in maintaining skin moisture, body temperature, and oxygen saturation in preterm newborns.