Final answer:
The correct statement indicating understanding of how to bathe a neonate is that one should use a sponge bath until the umbilical cord falls off to prevent irritation and promote natural detachment (option a).
Step-by-step explanation:
The neonate should be bathed with a sponge bath until the umbilical cord falls off to prevent infection and irritation. Since the umbilical cord stub needs to dry out and fall off, submerging it in bath water can hinder this process. Therefore, when a primiparous client demonstrates understanding of how to bathe their neonate, the correct statement would be: "I will use a sponge bath until the umbilical cord falls off." This method avoids soaking the cord, thus reducing the risk of infection and aiding in the natural drying and detachment process.
Bathing the baby every day might not be necessary and could potentially dry out the sensitive skin of the neonate. Adding essential oils to the bathwater could also irritate the baby's delicate skin, and washing the baby’s face with soap and water after each feeding is not necessary and can also cause irritation to the skin. The best practice is to keep the baby clean with gentle sponge baths, avoiding the cord until it falls off naturally, subsequently promoting good hygiene without causing harm.
Hence, the answer is option a.