Top 10 Best Ways to Care for Newborns in Hot Summer Weather

Most parents believe that the bodies of newborns are fragile, with poor tolerance and adaptation, so they try every means to keep their babies warm by dressing them in thick clothes, swaddling them, or layering blankets to prevent them from feeling cold. Hence, they refrain from using air conditioning for newborns in the summer. However, this is a misconception, as healthy newborns, born full-term and weighing over 3.5 kg, have enough fat layers to maintain body warmth. The newborn's thermoregulatory mechanism is also active, allowing them to sleep soundly and safely at the same room temperature as adults. Conversely, if parents over-swaddle or pile too many blankets, it can pose more risks to the baby. However, if the baby is preterm, weighing under 3.5 kg, it's best for parents to wait until the baby is 1-2 months old, depending on the baby's development, before using air conditioning.

Using air conditioning in the room is preferable to using a cooling fan; mothers just need to monitor and ensure that the temperature and humidity levels are suitable for the baby's health. The cold air from the air conditioner should not be directed towards the baby, and especially, fans should not be turned on in air-conditioned rooms. Besides providing comfort to the baby and preventing sudden infant death syndrome during hot weather, air conditioning can also dry out the respiratory glands, leading to respiratory conditions such as respiratory inflammation, bronchitis, and bronchiolitis. Particularly, when using air conditioning, if the baby is not attended to and cared for properly, they may suffer from dangerous complications. To use air conditioning for newborns correctly without compromising their health, parents should set the air conditioner temperature between 26 - 28 degrees Celsius.

When the room temperature is too low, parents need to use temperature regulating devices, heaters, or two-way air conditioners to adjust the temperature increase, so the baby's body temperature is not lowered too much. When the room temperature is too high, you can turn on an electric fan in the baby's bedroom, but make sure to keep the fan away from the baby's crib. Do not direct the airflow towards the baby, ensure that the fan only cools the baby's room. Check the temperature regularly, dress the baby for sleep or just put on a diaper if it's too hot outside.

It's best to gradually decrease the temperature. If the room is at 86°F (about 30°C) and you want to lower it to 75°F (about 24°C), first set the temperature to 82°F (about 28°C). After half an hour, lower it to 79°F (about 26°C), and finally reach 75°F. Limit the number of items in the bedroom, avoid placing items that may fall onto the baby's body, and limit places for bacteria to accumulate, preventing mold formation. Do not allow many people to enter the room where the newborn lies, as it can easily spread various dangerous viruses. Do not lower the room temperature based on adult perception, as the baby's body does not have the ability to adjust, making it prone to catching cold quickly.

During the time spent in the mother's womb, the baby is constantly warmed by a temperature ranging from 37.5 to 38 degrees Celsius from the mother's body heat. In the early months after birth, if the baby is not adequately bundled up, the risk of catching a cold is very high. Especially if the baby is born prematurely, the body temperature of the baby will be even more sensitive. The body temperature of a full-term newborn is stable at around 36.5 to 37.5 degrees Celsius. When newborn, the baby always needs to be ensured to wear enough clothing, socks, gloves, hats, and be covered with a light blanket.

The ideal room temperature for newborns should be maintained at 26-28 degrees Celsius. Do not let the temperature drop below 26 degrees Celsius, limit exposure to outdoor air, fan breeze, air conditioning breeze to where the baby lies, and ensure the baby's body stays dry, not soaked with sweat or urine, which could lead to high pneumonia risk. If the environmental temperature is high, your baby may be at risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This syndrome often occurs in infants from the age of 2 months onwards, and nearly 90% of SIDS cases occur in infants under 6 months old, with the risk decreasing after the age of 1 year. For newborns, the safe and suitable room temperature is maintained above 26 degrees Celsius. Necessary humidity is 40 - 60%.

In hot weather, baby's body temperature rises, and they sweat a lot, so mothers need to maintain hygiene, bathe the baby properly. The way to care for newborns in hot weather is to keep the baby's skin cool but not too exposed. Bathe the baby once a day. The water temperature for bathing should be around 37 - 38°C. Mothers can use an elbow to check the water temperature for the baby. When bathing the baby, it should be done quickly. Use gentle bath milk, shampoo to clean the baby. Do not bathe too often, too long because the baby is prone to catching cold. The baby's skin will lose its natural protective layer. After bathing, quickly dry and clean the baby's groin.

When the baby's body is ready for a normal bath, parents can use a plastic tub or bathtub to place the baby in. Before using, rinse the tub or basin and line it with a clean towel. Prepare all the necessary items for bathing the newborn, including towels, water dippers, and baby bath milk. Gathering these items at the bathing location will make it convenient for parents to always have one hand to hold the baby while bathing, avoiding the baby being left alone in the water and having to fetch items. According to some studies, water level in the tub just above the baby's shoulders will help keep warm and provide maximum comfort. However, safety should always be the top priority with any amount of water.

Newborns regulate body temperature when the surrounding environment is too cold without proper warmth. However, there's no need to fear colds by avoiding wind, water, or light for the baby. On the contrary, infants require a well-ventilated, clean, and adequately lit living environment. To prevent colds, simply ensure the baby is dressed warmly, wears socks, a hat, breastfeeds, stays close to the mother for warmth through her love and body heat, and change diapers immediately when wet. Daily bathing helps keep the baby's skin clean, allowing sweat glands to function properly in regulating body temperature.

When the newborn's bedroom is well-ventilated, the baby breathes more easily, rather than feeling suffocated as in old beliefs. The simple reason is that during breathing, babies release a lot of carbon dioxide (CO2), which does not dissipate if the room air is not circulated well. This CO2 can accumulate around the baby's mouth and nose, causing the baby to inhale excess CO2, oxygen deficiency (O2), and the most serious consequence being sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) during sleep. If not using air conditioning, it's advisable to let a gentle breeze into the room as air conditioning and fans can dry the air, causing discomfort. Conversely, natural air is beneficial and makes the baby more comfortable.

Regularly pat dry sweat on areas such as the neck, back, elbows, groin, and buttocks to prevent your baby from feeling cold or developing diaper rash. If your baby has a rash, you can bathe them with diluted potassium permanganate or bitter gourd water. After diaper changes, it's important to thoroughly clean the anus and genital area for your baby, wiping from front to back to prevent bacteria from the anus attacking your baby's genital area. Dress your baby in breathable, sweat-absorbing fabrics. Allow your baby to sunbathe for about 30 minutes in the morning. The best time for sunbathing is between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m.

Many mothers believe that their baby's skin will always be naturally soft and smooth. However, in dry weather, babies can also experience cracked or peeling skin. Moreover, compared to adults, a baby's skin is quite sensitive, delicate, and easily damaged. Additionally, babies produce relatively little body oil. Newborn skin is very soft, delicate, and sensitive. Due to incomplete sweat gland development, newborns are prone to pH imbalance in the skin. Furthermore, their immune response is also weaker, making them less capable of fighting off bacteria that cause infection and damage. Therefore, caring for and maintaining proper hygiene for your newborn's skin is crucial.

According to pediatricians, if your baby is under 6 months old and exclusively breastfed, you should not give them water, even in hot weather. This is because 88% of breast milk is water, which adequately meets the body's needs. Giving your baby extra water is not only unnecessary but can also be harmful. However, if your baby is formula-fed, you may occasionally give them a little water. Formula milk usually contains more salt, so giving your baby a little extra water will help with digestion. Additionally, due to the slower metabolic process of formula-fed babies, they may have a greater need for water than breastfed babies.

If your newborn is constipated, has a fever, or if the weather is excessively hot, you can give them a few small sips of boiled and cooled water. However, avoid giving them too much water, and always consult a doctor before doing so. Remember to give your baby plenty of water and encourage them to consume water-rich foods. However, for infants under 1 year old, mothers should be aware of water-rich food sources such as pumpkin, broccoli, avocado, oranges, etc. Note that your child may decide the amount of water they want to drink, so do not force it if they don't like it.

Newborns with underdeveloped immune systems are highly susceptible to bacterial attacks, especially in summer, an excellent environment for bacterial growth. Therefore, mothers should pay special attention to observing their babies daily to detect even the smallest abnormalities. Experts recommend breastfeeding infants under 6 months old to provide essential nutrients and boost immunity. For non-breastfed babies, it's essential to supplement them with adequate vitamins and minerals to enhance their resistance. Antibodies transferred from mother to child through the placenta in the last three months of pregnancy are crucial for protecting the baby during delivery.

The immunity level of the mother determines the quantity and type of antibodies transferred to the baby. During birth, babies may acquire many bacteria from their mother's vagina, which populate their intestines after birth, thereby contributing to enhancing their immune system. Breastfeeding is the most crucial factor in developing the newborn's immune system in the early months of life. Especially, colostrum in the first few days after birth contains a potent source of antibodies, providing the best immune system for the baby.

After birth, around 5 to 7 days, the remaining part will begin to dry and fall off. Before it falls off, while the umbilical cord is still moist and not yet scarred, mothers need to take extra care to avoid infection. Especially in hot sunny summer days, bacteria have ideal conditions to thrive. Newborns with immature immune systems are much more susceptible to illness. It's important to wash hands with soap and water, then disinfect again with alcohol every time you change the diaper for your baby!

The umbilical cord usually separates within one or two weeks. It's normal for Moms to see a dry, red patch at the base of the cord. Sometimes, a small amount of dark-colored blood may ooze out - don't worry, that's normal. But if bleeding persists beyond two weeks, you should seek advice from a doctor immediately. If the umbilical cord is not carefully cared for, it's prone to infection. If you notice symptoms like fever, foul-smelling cord, oozing pus, red and tender skin around the cord, your baby cries when you touch the cord gently, swollen and bleeding cord, please take your baby to the hospital immediately.

In scorching summer days, it's crucial to pay extra attention to caring for newborns when they are outdoors. The skin of newborns is often delicate and lacks the ability to protect themselves from sunlight. Therefore, when taking the baby outside, you should use a sunshade on the stroller, and you can wrap a cloth diaper or a thin towel over the sunshade to keep the baby cooler. Newborns and infants have very sensitive skin. This means they are at a higher risk of sunburn and skin damage due to UV exposure. Additionally, in the first 15 years of life, exposure to UV rays increases the risk of developing skin cancer later in life for children.

Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D, helping children develop strong and healthy bones. Most children can absorb enough vitamin D needed when participating in outdoor activities during times of high UV radiation (10 am - 2 pm). You don't need to actively sunbathe your baby to synthesize vitamin D. Even when wearing long-sleeved clothing, a hat, and sunscreen, most newborns and infants can absorb enough sunlight to thrive.