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During the peak of the scorching heat in both the North and South, air conditioning becomes a 'close companion' for both mothers and babies. Newborns are very sensitive to temperature. If it's too hot, babies can develop heat rash...
1. Golden rules for using air conditioning to prevent newborns from getting sick
The air conditioning temperature should be set between 26-28 degrees Celsius, a level that adults might find slightly warm but is just right for newborns.
During the peak of the scorching heat in both the North and South, air conditioning becomes a 'close companion' for both mothers and babies. Newborns are very sensitive to temperature. If it's too hot, babies can develop heat rash. If it's too cold, they can get a cough, become ill, or even develop bronchitis. Therefore, using air conditioning correctly, and determining the ideal temperature, is always a concern for mothers every summer.
There are 4 “ways” that can make babies feel cold:
1) Keep the room temperature below 26°C.
2) Avoid areas with drafts (such as fan or cold air from air conditioning).
3) Place on a cool surface.
4) Avoid dampness.
To prevent your child from getting sick due to air conditioning, follow these guidelines:
Maintain the air conditioning temperature between 26-28°C.
According to information from the website of Tu Du Hospital, Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh, Consultant of the Neonatal Department at Tu Du Hospital, shares: The newborn period is counted from birth to 30 days old. Newborns cannot regulate their body temperature like adults, especially preterm infants. If a newborn is left undressed in a room with a temperature of 23°C, they will feel as cold as an adult being exposed to 0°C.
After birth, if a full-term baby is properly cared for, their normal body temperature will be around 36.5°C to 37.5°C. If the baby is dressed in clothes, wears mittens, socks, a hat, and is wrapped in a blanket, they can tolerate room temperatures from 26°C to 28°C. At this temperature, adults, especially those who are overweight, might feel hot, but for babies, it's cold, and they should be dressed adequately as mentioned. Therefore, adults should not decide the room temperature based on their own comfort when there is a newborn.
The 3-minute rule
Sudden temperature differences between indoor and outdoor air-conditioned environments can quickly compromise a child's immune system, making them prone to fever, colds, and coughs. Mothers should remember that every time they want to take their child from an air-conditioned room to the outside, they should open the door for 3 minutes beforehand, let the child play nearby to get used to the hot air outside. On the other hand, when the child comes in from outside, sweating profusely, mothers should wipe the sweat off and let the child rest for at least 3 minutes in normal room temperature, avoiding taking the child straight into a cold air-conditioned room with a sudden drop in temperature.
Avoid directing the air conditioner directly towards the baby's sleeping area
A baby's respiratory system is still very sensitive. If the air conditioner fan blows directly on the face or head, babies with weak constitutions are prone to respiratory illnesses such as respiratory allergies, nasal inflammation, bronchitis, pneumonia, and sore throats. The air conditioner should be placed at a high position. The air conditioner's vents should not face directly towards the baby lying down, nor should the fan speed be too high. It should be set at the lowest fan speed and in rotation mode, absolutely not in straight blowing mode.
Air conditioner should be turned on for no more than 2-3 hours at a time.
The maximum time for a baby to lie in the air conditioning should be only 2-3 hours at a time. This means that every 2-3 hours, the baby should be taken outside to normal temperature for 10-15 minutes. This is also the time to refresh the air and let the sun into the baby's room.
First time turning on the air conditioner after a long winter requires thorough cleaning.
Air conditioners that have been turned back on after a long winter need to be thoroughly cleaned, recharged with refrigerant, and dust removed from the filter to avoid mold, bacteria, or lingering pathogens in the machine that can affect the baby's respiratory system.
Keep the nose moist and give your child water regularly.
In addition to paying attention to how the air conditioner is used, mothers also need to pay attention to their baby's health. Lying in the air conditioning creates a cool feeling but can also cause dry skin and a dry nose. Mothers need to regularly moisten their baby's nose with saline solution and give them plenty of water. For breastfed babies, nurse frequently to prevent dehydration.
While the child sleeps, mothers should also pay attention to laying a thin blanket, especially covering the abdominal area, to prevent enlarged pores which may lead to catching a cold. For children who sleep overnight in air-conditioned rooms or tend to kick off blankets, mothers can refer to these methods to keep their children warm when they kick off blankets while sleeping.
Source: eva.vn
