With summer setting in, these simple tips will help in keeping your baby cool and comfortable.
• Dress your baby in cool cottons
Ensure that your baby is dressed in cool cottons in a comfortable and easy-to-wear style. Avoid clothes made of synthetic fabrics as they retain heat and are very uncomfortable for the baby. It may even result in prickly heat and heat rashes. Choose long sleeved light weight garments to avoid the sun's direct rays on your baby's delicate skin. Use a sunscreen recommended by your doctor to prevent tanning. If you are using a sun hat for your baby, make sure it is a wide rimmed hat and fits comfortably. Hats with elastic support may constrict blood circulation and are best avoided.
• Stay indoors during the peak heat hours (10 am - 5 pm)
It is wise to stay indoors when the effect of the heat is the most. If at all you need to step out in the sun, ensure that your baby is well protected. Take your baby out for walks early in the morning or late in the evening. Remove any excess padding from the stroller or pram as they can get very hot and prevent air circulation.
• Limit diaper usage to minimum and switch to cloth nappies instead
As far as possible avoid diapers -- many babies get heat rashes on their waist as the sweat collects around the synthetic waistband of the diaper. Instead switch to cloth nappies in good absorbent cotton. The cloth nappies will not only keep your baby cool but will also prevent heat and nappy rash.
• Increase fluid intake
Increase intake of fluids in the form of lassi, milk shakes, fresh fruit juices (not the bottled variety), and coconut water (both refreshing and nutritious).
If your baby is less than six months old and if you are exclusively breastfeeding, you do not need to give extra water, even in hot weather. Studies carried out in hot climates, like India, have shown that babies allowed to breastfeed whenever they want, do not become dehydrated. Breastmilk is itself mostly water and in hot weather, babies tend to go to the breast more often, for short feeds. This way they get extra foremilk, which is thinner and more refreshing than the fat rich hind-milk. So let your baby have as many extra feeds as she wishes and she will get plenty of water. However, it may be wise to offer bottle-fed babies some boiled cooled water in hot weather.
• Do not feed ice-creams, popsicles, and fruit juices from roadside vendors.
Avoid feeding your baby outside food (especially from roadside vendors) and water. Always carry food and water for your baby with you whenever you are out with your baby. Invest in quality food grade plastic ware to store your baby's food. Taste your baby's food before you feed her to ensure that it is not spoilt. This is particularly true in the hot summer months when stored cooked food spoils very quickly.
• Do not use massage oils, petroleum jelly or other moisturisers
In the hot summer months, it is safer to avoid massage oils as they can cause prickly heat or infantile eczema if not washed off properly. However, if you would like to continue massaging the baby in summers too, you could switch to olive oil or coconut oil, traditionally referred to as cooling oils. Ensure that it is washed off completely and not left on your baby's skin. Also avoid excessive use of moisturisers and lotions on your baby.
• Avoid using talcum powder excessively to keep your baby cool
Many mothers apply loads of talcum powder on the baby just after a bath assuming that this will keep the baby cool. This is not the case as powder on wet skin can cake up and cause a lot of irritation and discomfort. Limit its use, especially in the diaper and neck region. Take care when using talc on the baby's body to make sure it is not inhaled. Use it sparingly and rub it in well.
• Simple home remedies for prickly heat
The hot humid weather causes prickly heat-rashes on the nape of the neck, shoulder, back, diaper area and in the skin folds. A simple remedy for prickly heat is to apply buttermilk or curd mixed with water on the prickly heat. You can also apply a paste of Fuller's Earth (multani mitti) and rose water. This has cooling and healing properties. Wash off after ten minutes. Calamine lotion is also very effective, but check with your doctor before using it on your baby. It is safer to avoid commercial prickly heat powders as they may further irritate your baby's sensitive skin.
• Let your baby cool off with some water-play
Summers are an ideal time to let your baby indulge in some water-play. You can put your baby in his bathtub or a small inflatable baby pool with a little bit of water and some bath toys. Let him splash around for some time. The baby will love splashing the water all around and on you as well. Always do this only when you are with your baby and never leave your baby unwatched even for a minute. It is safer to avoid public swimming pools as the hygiene levels may not be maintained effectively.
• Avoid taking your baby to an air conditioned room right after a bath.
It is better to avoid taking your unclothed baby to an air conditioned room right after a bath. Switch on the AC only after your baby is fully clothed and his hair dry. It is wise to dress your baby in thicker cotton clothes and inner vest if you plan to keep him in the AC all day. Babies can quickly catch a chill or cold if they are not well protected.
• Do not let the blast of cold air from the AC or cooler hit your baby directly
ACs and coolers are great for keeping the house cool, but whenever your baby is sleeping or playing, ensure that the blast of cold air is not hitting your baby directly. Also avoid taking your baby into warmer areas immediately after she has been in an air conditioned environment. Switch off the AC beforehand and let the baby adjust to the temperature change before taking her out.
• Do not use cheap fancy goggles or eye shades for your baby
A fad among several new parents is to use fancy goggles/eye shades for the baby. While opinion on infants using shades is divided, it is best to speak to your doctor. If at all you really want to buy shades for your baby, buy them from a proper branded shop. Avoid plastic shades that are sold on roadside or toy shops as they do not offer proper UV protection and can harm your baby's eyes.
• Dress your baby in cool cottons
Ensure that your baby is dressed in cool cottons in a comfortable and easy-to-wear style. Avoid clothes made of synthetic fabrics as they retain heat and are very uncomfortable for the baby. It may even result in prickly heat and heat rashes. Choose long sleeved light weight garments to avoid the sun's direct rays on your baby's delicate skin. Use a sunscreen recommended by your doctor to prevent tanning. If you are using a sun hat for your baby, make sure it is a wide rimmed hat and fits comfortably. Hats with elastic support may constrict blood circulation and are best avoided.
• Stay indoors during the peak heat hours (10 am - 5 pm)
It is wise to stay indoors when the effect of the heat is the most. If at all you need to step out in the sun, ensure that your baby is well protected. Take your baby out for walks early in the morning or late in the evening. Remove any excess padding from the stroller or pram as they can get very hot and prevent air circulation.
• Limit diaper usage to minimum and switch to cloth nappies instead
As far as possible avoid diapers -- many babies get heat rashes on their waist as the sweat collects around the synthetic waistband of the diaper. Instead switch to cloth nappies in good absorbent cotton. The cloth nappies will not only keep your baby cool but will also prevent heat and nappy rash.
• Increase fluid intake
Increase intake of fluids in the form of lassi, milk shakes, fresh fruit juices (not the bottled variety), and coconut water (both refreshing and nutritious).
If your baby is less than six months old and if you are exclusively breastfeeding, you do not need to give extra water, even in hot weather. Studies carried out in hot climates, like India, have shown that babies allowed to breastfeed whenever they want, do not become dehydrated. Breastmilk is itself mostly water and in hot weather, babies tend to go to the breast more often, for short feeds. This way they get extra foremilk, which is thinner and more refreshing than the fat rich hind-milk. So let your baby have as many extra feeds as she wishes and she will get plenty of water. However, it may be wise to offer bottle-fed babies some boiled cooled water in hot weather.
• Do not feed ice-creams, popsicles, and fruit juices from roadside vendors.
Avoid feeding your baby outside food (especially from roadside vendors) and water. Always carry food and water for your baby with you whenever you are out with your baby. Invest in quality food grade plastic ware to store your baby's food. Taste your baby's food before you feed her to ensure that it is not spoilt. This is particularly true in the hot summer months when stored cooked food spoils very quickly.
• Do not use massage oils, petroleum jelly or other moisturisers
In the hot summer months, it is safer to avoid massage oils as they can cause prickly heat or infantile eczema if not washed off properly. However, if you would like to continue massaging the baby in summers too, you could switch to olive oil or coconut oil, traditionally referred to as cooling oils. Ensure that it is washed off completely and not left on your baby's skin. Also avoid excessive use of moisturisers and lotions on your baby.
• Avoid using talcum powder excessively to keep your baby cool
Many mothers apply loads of talcum powder on the baby just after a bath assuming that this will keep the baby cool. This is not the case as powder on wet skin can cake up and cause a lot of irritation and discomfort. Limit its use, especially in the diaper and neck region. Take care when using talc on the baby's body to make sure it is not inhaled. Use it sparingly and rub it in well.
• Simple home remedies for prickly heat
The hot humid weather causes prickly heat-rashes on the nape of the neck, shoulder, back, diaper area and in the skin folds. A simple remedy for prickly heat is to apply buttermilk or curd mixed with water on the prickly heat. You can also apply a paste of Fuller's Earth (multani mitti) and rose water. This has cooling and healing properties. Wash off after ten minutes. Calamine lotion is also very effective, but check with your doctor before using it on your baby. It is safer to avoid commercial prickly heat powders as they may further irritate your baby's sensitive skin.
• Let your baby cool off with some water-play
Summers are an ideal time to let your baby indulge in some water-play. You can put your baby in his bathtub or a small inflatable baby pool with a little bit of water and some bath toys. Let him splash around for some time. The baby will love splashing the water all around and on you as well. Always do this only when you are with your baby and never leave your baby unwatched even for a minute. It is safer to avoid public swimming pools as the hygiene levels may not be maintained effectively.
• Avoid taking your baby to an air conditioned room right after a bath.
It is better to avoid taking your unclothed baby to an air conditioned room right after a bath. Switch on the AC only after your baby is fully clothed and his hair dry. It is wise to dress your baby in thicker cotton clothes and inner vest if you plan to keep him in the AC all day. Babies can quickly catch a chill or cold if they are not well protected.
• Do not let the blast of cold air from the AC or cooler hit your baby directly
ACs and coolers are great for keeping the house cool, but whenever your baby is sleeping or playing, ensure that the blast of cold air is not hitting your baby directly. Also avoid taking your baby into warmer areas immediately after she has been in an air conditioned environment. Switch off the AC beforehand and let the baby adjust to the temperature change before taking her out.
• Do not use cheap fancy goggles or eye shades for your baby
A fad among several new parents is to use fancy goggles/eye shades for the baby. While opinion on infants using shades is divided, it is best to speak to your doctor. If at all you really want to buy shades for your baby, buy them from a proper branded shop. Avoid plastic shades that are sold on roadside or toy shops as they do not offer proper UV protection and can harm your baby's eyes.
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