A saline bath is when a baby’s body is submerged in a saline solution. The saline mimics amniotic fluid and gives parents a glimpse into the womb. It also acts as a gentle preservative for the baby’s body and condition. It improves their coloring, changing early loss babies from redder hues to the pinker (or browner depending on ethnicity) hues we tend to associate with babies. It plumps up a baby’s body and keep them hydrated. Saline baths provide beautiful photo opportunities as well.
The practice of using saline baths for photos is sometimes called Neonatal Immersion Photography.
“What are the benefits of Neonatal Immersion Photography (NIP)?While the practice of NIP is still very new, the benefits for can be seen below:
- Baby’s skin colour which may have previously appeared red or dark returns to a more natural lighter colour
- Any flaws or marks on the baby appear to improve as the baby enters the water
- The appearance of natural decomposition is reduced as the skin becomes saturated with water and it appears smoother, softer and plumper.
- The infant’s limbs become more agile once baby is immersed in the water making it easier to move baby into positions perfect for capturing beautiful images.
- NIP mimics the look of a baby in the mother’s uterus.
- The practice of professional bereavement photography has been proven to aid in the grieving process for families and the enhanced quality of photographs produced with this method can potentially provide a source of comfort to bereaved families.”
–Saline Immersion: An alternative concept in bereavement photography
For the bins provided to the hospitals by Share Parents of Utah, approximately 3 liters of saline should be used. More or less will be needed depending on the size of the baby. The saline should be cold. Ice packs can be kept around and under the bath to keep the saline cool. If the baby leaks blood or other fluids, the saline may become discolored. This is normal and just requires fresh saline if the liquid is too discolored.
Benefits will visibly start to take effect on the baby within seconds of being in the solution. After a few minutes, their coloring and composition should have improved significantly, and will continue to do so gradually over time. There is no limit to the amount of time a baby can spend in the saline. The baby can also be taken out and returned to the saline as much as desired. The effects of the saline will wear off when exposed to air, but will return when placed in the bath again. Parents should be encouraged to bond with the baby both in and out of the bath.
Photo Ideas
Click photos to view gallery of larger images. Photos taken by Share Parents of Utah volunteers, shared with permission by the parents.
Additional resources for saline baths or neonatal immersion photography:
Capturing Hope Photography by Deneen Bryan