How to Take Care of the baby in Summer

India is a country that has a pleasure to enjoy mainly four seasons. These are Autumn, Summer, Monsoon and last are Winter. Every first season is extremely important for all the new mothers when it comes to taking care of their babies. With every change of season, you become more conscious and at the same time more worried concerning the health of the baby. You as a new mother are so sensitive to your little one to take all possible protective measures to keep intact that innocent smile of your baby. The baby is so fragile and new to this change in weather conditions that he/she is easily attacked by it resulting in sickness.

Every season has its own advantages and disadvantages. Today you and I are experiencing the summer season. The first thing that comes to your mind on seeing that the summer is approaching is that take off your scarfs, gloves and jackets and feel free from the burden of clothes. Summer is the season of feeling the fresh air at dawn, listening to the chirping of the birds, wearing light clothes, splashing in the water for hours and most importantly enjoying the ice creams. But at the same time, the sun is showering excessive hot rays through and through that feels like pricking the skin badly.

Now a days the heat is increasing regularly. The immunity system of the baby is not strong enough to deal with this scorching heat. Summers bring with it lots of problems and these are very commonly seen in babies. These problems are as follows:

• Skin allergy
• Skin rashes/prickly heat rashes
• Redness of skin
• Sunburn
• Heatstroke
• Dehydration
• Growth in the number of Mosquitoes
• Cold and cough due to frequent weather change

Although every season is crucial for the good health of the babies. But in this post, my focus point is how to take care of the babies during the summer season. The babies are part of the world and so are bound by its weather conditions. Therefore, taking the precautionary measures right from your home is the only way for the healthy growth of your baby along with enjoying the summer season. Further, sharing personal experiences on the precautionary measures or to do things during the summertime.

Before moving to the precautionary measures, let us know what all are the signs of heat in babies. The signs of heat in babies are as elaborated below:

• Dry lips
• Dryness of the skin
• Yellow or pale coloured pee
• Less pee
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Rashes over the body
• Redness of the skin
• Red bumps
• Baby seems to be lethargic or less involved with routine activities
• Irritated and crying that is unusual

Precautionary measures or to do things during the summertime are as follows:

1. Clothing:

The type of clothes that you make a baby to wear during the summer season plays an important role in keeping the body cool. The best clothing is that which gives comfort day and night.

I usually prefer the following tips to make the clothing comfortable to the baby:

• Making the baby wear light colour clothes because dark colour such as black, brown, navy blue, etc, absorbs heat.
• Using clothes made from cotton fabric because they are light, soft and airy.
• Making the baby wear loose clothes which is not tight on the body. This helps the skin to breathe and gives comfort to the baby for the whole day long.
• Making the baby wear jhabla and T-shirts without a collar. This adds comfort in lying down for the infants upto the age of 6 months. Clothing with collar results in prickly heat all around the neck that irritates the baby.
• Using full sleeves clothes and bottoms covering the full legs for protecting the baby from the mosquito bite. Further, such clothing helps to prevent rashes on the body when going out in the sun.
• Using swaddle to wrap the infants upto the age of 6 months. Swaddle is a soft muslin cloth or a cotton cloth soft for the sensitive skin of the baby. Further, these are perfect to use as a blanket and bedsheet for the baby. I am using the Babyhug swaddle which has a muslin fabric gentle on the baby’s skin. Also, buy it in good numbers for its ready availability.
• Using soft and cotton fabric socks, cap, mittens for the newborn baby upto the age of 2 months. They are too fragile to bear the heat, therefore, covering their hands, feet and head is extremely important. Further, make sure that their hands and feet do not sweat otherwise it will result in rashes or itching. Remove them at reasonable intervals.
• Using clean handkerchiefs and bathing towel made from the cotton fabric. These come in direct contact to the skin and therefore should be soft and light coloured. Personally, Babyhug is a good choice for purchasing.

2. Protection from Dehydration:

One of the biggest health problems seen during the summer season is the dehydration or in other words, less water intake than required in the body. This health issue is often in babies because they resist drinking water immediately after breastfeeding for a continuous six months. Also, they found the water tasteless resulting in less of its intake.

As you know from the seven month and onwards babies are allowed to have solids, therefore, the addition of more fluids in their food chart helps in keeping them hydrated.

Following are the tips for prevention from the dehydration:

• Newborn babies are breastfeeded for six months and the breast milk has a high percentage of water in it. Therefore, there is no need to give water separately. If the baby is on breastfeeding for more months then serve him/her with little quantity of water.

In newborn babies to avoid the situation of dry lips take soaked cotton and gently rub over the lips of the baby for instant relief. Further, feed the baby at regular two hours intervals to prevent the heat effect.

• For the babies above six months, encourage drinking water at frequent intervals around 2 hours. For this, use the feeding bottle initially and gradually shifts to the sipper. The sipper also helps in developing the liking of the baby towards the drinking water.
• Further, check regularly as to the colour of the baby’s pee. If it is the dark yellow colour it is a clear sign of dehydration. Increase the intake of water and other fluids and keep a watch on the condition. If the pee turns white then it is a sign of relief otherwise consult your paediatrician on immediate basis.
• Use lukewarm boiled water for drinking purpose. This helps in building immunity strong against diseases, better blood circulation and aids in digestion.
• Add vegetables and fruits in the food chart either as a part of a meal or as a snack depending on the liking of the baby. Because vegetables and fruits are rich in water content and maintains the body temperature. Serve the vegetables and fruits either in juices or in the puree.
• Adding soups and vegetable stock in the food chart is also one of the good options from preventing dehydration of the body.
• Serve curd, chach or sweet lassi as a part of the meal or as per the requirement of the baby. Curd is a very good source to provide instant relief in dehydration. I prefer giving a curd in the afternoon.

3. Protection from mosquitoes:

The major problem associated with summers is the increase in the number of mosquitoes and also the diseases caused by their bite. The buzzing of the mosquitoes disturbs the sleep of the baby at night. Protection from mosquitoes is a big challenge nowadays. Following are the ways to protect the babies from the mosquito bite:

• • Full sleeve, light colour, loose and cotton fabric clothing.
  • Use of net mesh/wire mesh in doors and windows
  • Natural Mosquito repellent
  • Bed net/pram net
  • Maintain clean surroundings
  • Destroy breeding grounds at home
  • Growing the repellent plants

For detailed information read 16 precautionary steps from my post on the topic “How to Protect babies from mosquito bites”.

4. Precautions during the change of weather:

Change in weather is seen in almost all parts of India. Mostly with every change of season, the change in the weather conditions such as humidity, temperature, rainfall, wind, etc is common to experience. This affects the health of the baby in no time because of low immunity.

In the given point I am discussing what all precautions are necessary for you to consider to protect the babies at the time of climatic change.

• In case of nasal congestion which is very in weather change, use nasal drops at least three to four times a day. I prefer using it for sure before sleep at night for this helps in the opening of the nostrils. This gives a sound and peaceful sleep to the baby.

  

• Use boiled water for drinking and also in food recipes. Because food infection is common during the change of weather.
• Generally, lukewarm water is best recommended for bathing of the baby throughout the year. But make sure to use warm water especially during weather changing. This reliefs nasal congestion.
• Serve the liquids to the baby at room temperature that is not hot nor cold.
• Do not bath the baby immediately after sleep or playing because his/her body temperature is hot/warm and bathing will result in a change in temperature to cool. Let the baby relax for atleast 20 mins before bathing.
• Further, avoid Air conditioner, cooler or fan for atleast 15 mins after the baby gets the bath. After bathing the body temperature of the baby is cool and coming in direct contact of airflow cause cold or cough in the baby.
• Do not open the clothes of the baby for a massage immediately after he/she awakes from sleep. Because this will result in a change of body temperature immediately and the baby is fragile enough to get sick.
• Switch off the air conditioner atleast 10 mins before leaving the room because this affects the body temperature immediately. The babies are easily attacked to this excessive change of temperature.

5. Heat protection:

Generally, you as a parent do not prefer the baby out during the sunny day. This is so to protect the baby from the scorching heat and the warm winds that are too harsh for them to bear.

But if you are to take the baby out then following precautions are necessary to consider and apply:

• Cover the newborn baby from head to toe by using a cap on the head, socks in the feet and mittens in the hand. Use cotton Clothing accessories as they are gentle on the fragile skin of the baby. This helps in protecting the baby from coming in direct contact of the sun rays which can cause redness of the skin, rashes and sunstroke.
• Similarly, use swaddle to wrap the hands, feet and head of the baby above 3 months. Further, use full sleeve upper and bottom to avoid the body coming in direct contact with the sun.
• It is preferred not to go out for long hours around four to five hours. But if the situation demands then ensure to keep the baby hydrated by giving water or fluids at an interval of one to two hours. Feed the newborn babies with milk at an interval of two hours.

This helps in preventing sunstroke or vomiting or dizziness due to heat.

• If going by car ensure to turn on the air conditioner at 24 degree Celsius to 26 degree Celsius that is not too high and not to low. In between switch off the air conditioner by ensuring that pleasant atmosphere is maintained throughout.

Also, keep in mind to cover the baby with swaddle in the car itself to prevent the direct airflow.

• Use the sun protector on the windows of the car to prevent the entry of the sun rays.
• Use the shaded area or place for standing or use an

6. Skincare:

Skincare is an essential part of the summer season because of dust and sweating. Skin allergy, rashes and redness are some of the signs of heat. The skin of the baby is so tender that it gets infected easily resulting in skin problems.

Further, these skin problems are very difficult to deal in case of babies because medication in this respect is neither advisable by the paediatrician nor by the dermatologists upto 3 years babies. Therefore, take best of the skincare of the babies because as it is rightly said: “Precaution is better than cure”.

I am practicing the below precautions to minimise the chances of skin problem to the baby:

• Aloe vera gel works magically to heal the redness, dryness and rashes on the face or any part of the body. Gently rub it all over the affected area. This adds moisture and gives relief in the allergy. Apply it for continuous three days and three times a day over the affected area. In case the allergy does not recover, consult your paediatrician at the earliest.

For this, you can prepare the aloe vera gel at home by grinding the pulp extracted from one big green leaf of the plant or directly apply  pulp of the plant on the skin by peeling its leaf.

• Coconut oil has numerous good qualities, therefore, massage the baby with the coconut oil in summers. Massage the baby atleast two times a day and one after taking bath in routine. Coconut oil gets easily absorbed in the skin and provides a cooling effect. It also gives nourishment and moisture preventing dryness.
• On the mosquito bite, clean the bitten area and gently rub the coconut oil or Vicks BabyRub all over it.
• Diaper rash is common to see in summers due to sweating and use of diaper for a longer duration. For the newborn babies, it is best to use cotton nappies all day long because their skin is very sensitive and it gets affected easily. Change their nappies at the earliest when get wet to reduce the rashes. At the same time use a bed protector to protect the bed from getting wet.

For the babies, ten months old use cotton nappies for some hours in a day say for 4 to 5 hours. The baby feels free and this also helps in crawling and moving with comfort. The skin of the baby is so sensitive that it needs to breath.

Best tried and tested home remedy for diaper rash is the coconut oil. Apply the coconut oil all around the diaper area and leave it for 15 to 20 mins so that the skin absorbs it. Repeat for two to three times a day. You can also use natural rash cream. In case the rash is not healing in a couple of weeks, consult your paediatrician.

• When the baby starts walking or starts wearing the shoe you notice foot blisters. Foot blisters are also common due to sweating of the feet. Best home remedy for this is to apply ice on the blisters. Follow the remedy for three to four times a day.
• Use prickly heat powder after bathing. This is recommended only for the babies six months and above.

7. Maintain hygiene:

Summer is the season of sweating. Although it helps in keeping the body temperature normal at the same time it results in rashes, redness, prickly heat and many more skin problems. Therefore, maintaining hygiene is necessary.

Precautionary steps for keeping the baby neat and clean are as follows:

• Make the baby bath daily with warm water. Warm water helps in blood circulation and good for the baby’s health. Bathing is important to clean the germs. At the same time, the baby enjoys in the water tub splashing water and playing with toys. This is one good exercise for keeping healthy.
• In the evening if not making the baby bath, then wash his/her face, hands and feet for freshness.
• Change the clothes of the baby in the evening. This helps in removing dust after day-long play and activities.
• Similarly, wash the hands and face on returning from outside. This not only gives relief in the heat but also removes germs.
• Use boiled water for drinking and in food recipes at room temperature. Because this avoids stomach infection and water-borne diseases.

8. Use of the Air Conditioner:

Talking about the use of the air conditioner for babies leaves us with a question that is it beneficial or not to use the air conditioner as far as it is concerned with the health of the baby. Yes, there are some disadvantages of the air conditioner but it applies when using it excessively.

Therefore, it’s using is beneficial for babies but keeping certain points into consideration. As you know in summers, excessive heat makes it a necessity nowadays. Therefore, to protect the baby from heatstroke use the air conditioner but by following some precautions.

The precautions are as follows:

• It is preferred to keep the temperature of the air conditioner in between 24 degree Celsius to 26 degree Celsius. This is to maintain cool and pleasant weather not too hot not too cold of the room. This helps in keeping the baby’s body temperature normal and less sweating.
• Air conditioner controls the humidity of the room. This results in low sweating and creates a comfortable environment for the baby.
• Precautionary cover the newborn baby’s head, hands and feet especially while using the air conditioner because the immunity system of the baby is not strong to bear the cool airflow in the room.

9. Night care:

As the daycare of the baby is important during summers, similarly night care is equally important. Therefore, sharing personal experiences on the baby’s night care during summers.

• Most important is the protection from mosquitoes. Their buzzing sound disturbs the sleep and their bite make you sit right in the middle of the night. Especially the babies most of the time are not responding to the mosquito bite. Apply roll-on stick on the clothes of the baby before sleep or use bed net to cover the entire bed.
• Use a waterproof bed protector to protect the baby from remaining wet for a long time. The bed protector absorbs the water instantly. Therefore, it is necessary to use the bed protector to protect the baby from getting rashes over the wet area.
• Always prefer using a diaper at night because this reduces the chance of getting wet.
• Use soft cotton cloth for sleeping the baby on it. This avoids sweating and helps in sound sleep.
• At night use timer feature of AC for automatic turning off the air conditioner. Do not use the air conditioner for the whole night because the baby is fragile enough to get cold, cough or fever. Your purpose to give a pleasant atmosphere to the baby.

10. Miscellaneous important tips:

• Sun is the main source of Vitamin D. As you may have heard from your paediatrician or from other sources to take the newborn baby in sun for atleast one hour.

It is preferred to show the sun even in the summertime for preventing the newborn baby from jaundice. Therefore, take the baby in the sun during the dawn time that is around 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. This is because on later hours the rays of the sun increase with more heat and affect the health of the baby.

If not possible to go out then lie the baby in that corner/room of the house where the sun rays fall for an hour or so.

• Use good quality diapers to avoid redness of the skin and for a comfortable fit.
• It is recommended to have Temperature and Humidity Meter.
  The meter shows room temperature, humidity and clock time. It helps in monitoring the room temperature and humidity on a real-time basis so that you maintain the pleasant and healthier atmosphere of the room. It is advisable to must-have the meter in the room of the baby.

All the above remedies or precautions are shared based on personal experiences. Follow the same for a week or so and if the problem is not healed or no signs of healing are visible, consult your paediatrician at the earliest.

Hope you have find the above suggestions/experience useful and if I missed something to mention therein, do mention in the comment section below. Your valuable comments will be appreciated. Do share the post for others benefit as SHARING IS CARING.