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Newborn babies are weather sensitive. Whether it’s too cold or too hot, exposure to severe temperatures can be harmful for newborn babies and thus they need essential protection. Since summertime has begun, it’s important for newborn baby mamas to know that heat and sun can cause severe damages to baby’s health and skin if not taken care of. If you have just given birth or your baby is less than 6 months old, then this guide is for you. You need to be prepared for what this warm weather is bringing for you. The more prepared you are, the better you can take care of your newborn baby and also enjoy this season.
This guide from a new mama will help you better understand how you can keep your newborn cool and safe in summers ensuring their comfort.
Dress Appropriately
What your baby wears in summers to adjust to the warm weather is the biggest factor that would affect their safety. New mamas need to use the right fabrics for clothing in summers. Muslin and cotton fabrics are the best for babies as they are breathable and help keep the baby cool. Avoid fabrics such as nylon, polyester and jersey as they are not breathable and increase the chances of rashes due to lack of air being passed through. Other than the fabrics, ensure that the clothes are light-weight, loose-fitted, and light summery colors as dark colors attract more heat.
Only use muslin wraps or sheets for babies, if they need covering. Moreover, if you need to step out with the baby in daytime, ensure your baby is covered fully with a breathable fabric. The skin should not be directly exposed to the sun, hence, use full clothing to ensure a layer of cloth between the baby skin and sunlight.
Avoid Unnecessary Outdoor Exposure
Yes, while taking babies outside and getting them familiar with their surroundings is important, it’s also equally important to ensure that the baby is not exposed to sunlight directly. The most harmful thing about summers is the sun UV rays that can have severely negative effects on the skin. Hence, keep your babies indoors in day time and if you need to step out, look for shades to ensure no direct sunlight is hitting the baby. It’s also essential to check the heat index before stepping out. If it is above 32-33 degrees Celsius, it can be dangerous for babies. Because babies don’t sweat and are unable to tell us if they are feeling hot, it’s much safer to keep them indoors. If you really have to take babies outdoors, then ensure they are covered with full sleeve clothes and a cap to avoid heat on their face.
Take Baths Often
Even the indoor environment in summers is warm and can lead to overheating. Hence, it’s important to give the baby baths multiple times a day. Whenever you feel like the baby is turning pink or red, or is overtired, give them a bath as the cool water will lower their body temperature. However, do not expose them to direct fan or air conditioning after a shower. If you can’t give baths to the baby, then wash their hands and feet every few hours. Or you can also use a damp cloth to put over them or wipe their hands and feet with.
Keep the Environment Cool
Keep the environment around the baby cool. This means to ensure the use of air conditioners or coolers to keep the rooms cool in day time. Keep the curtains drawn or blind down to limit the direct sunlight or heat from entering the room. This is especially for when the baby sleeps or naps as body temperature can go down when babies sleep. It’s important to keep them cool and safe by ensuring a cool environment, no heavy blankets, and light breathable clothes.
Use Talc-Free Baby Powder, Avoid Oils
Oils and lotions tend to clog skin pores making it difficult for the skin to stay hydrated. Much like adults, baby skin also needs care. In summers, due to the excessive heat in the environment, avoid using oils and lotions that can clog pores and cause more damage. Use talc-free baby powders instead to avoid the sweat and perspiration. Talc-free baby powders are safe for the baby skin and free from health hazards.
Keep Monitoring
No matter how much you think you have cared for the baby, you must always keep a keen eye. In this summer heat, keep monitoring the body temperature of the baby to ensure the body isn’t burning up from the inside. In addition to this, always monitor the hydration of the baby. Infants under 6 months of age hydrate through breastmilk and formula milk. Ensure that the baby is taking his feeds properly and is not showing any alarming signs such as throwing up or loose stools. Also keep a check on wet diapers. If the baby doesn’t have enough wet diapers, it could be a sign of dehydration. Babies over the age of 6 months can be given water up to 3-4 oz in a day to keep them hydrated in excessive weather.
What to do if the baby catches a skin rash or sunburn?
This is a common concern of parents in the summer heat. If your baby gets a heat rash or sunburn, which can look like red inflamed skin, blisters, pimples, or can be any sort of skin irritation, then it is cause for concern. If it’s a mild rash and is not irritating the baby a lot, then you can just bring them indoors and keep the environment cool for a few hours. Give the baby a bath to gently wash off the area and avoid using rough towels on the skin. Wipe the baby with a soft muslin sheet. Some prone areas to heat rashes can be neck, groin, under knees, or armpits. Keep a check on the baby skin and in case of excessive redness or irritation, seek medical advice without applying any powders or ointments.
Signs that the baby is too hot
Some common signs showing that the baby is too hot or getting a heat rash are:
- Flushed face, pink or red cheeks and chin
- Extreme fatigue, laziness or drowsiness
- Not taking feed properly
- Spitting out milk
- Diarrhea or loose stools
- Sweating or moist areas of the body
Summer heat can be cruel to babies if not taken care of properly. If you see any of these signs in a baby, consult their pediatrician immediately or keep them on board.
